Senior Engineer
Who we are:
Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting-edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.
About the Role:
As a Senior Engineer at Raft, you’ll build the code and automation that powers secure, mission-critical platforms in Department of Defense environments. This is a development-focused role. You won’t be responsible for maintaining day-to-day infrastructure. Instead, you’ll write the code that builds, configures, secures, and deploys it.You’ll collaborate with developers, platform engineers, and integration teams to create reusable infrastructure components that can be reliably deployed across customer environments, including disconnected and air-gapped systems.
What You'll Do"
Collaborate with other developers to produce:
Puppet modules that enforce secure configurations and compliance
Helm charts for Kubernetes-based deployments
CI/CD pipelines using GitLab
Automation scripts in Bash and Python
Work closely with platform and integration engineers to support handoff and implementation of your codebase
Contribute to reusable, modular infrastructure code libraries
Align all code with DoD security requirements and STIG compliance
Support customer success by occasionally joining on-site meetings or integration efforts
What We Are Looking For:
Active TS/SCI clearance is required
5+ years of experience in infrastructure/platform development
Hands-on expertise in:
Kubernetes (RKE2 preferred)
Helm chart development
CI/CD pipeline creation in GitLab
Puppet module and Hiera development
Bash and Python scripting
Ansible
Strong understanding of RHEL Linux environments
Ability to write clean, modular code intended for handoff
Preferred Skills:
Masters Degree in related field preferred
10+ years of experience in infrastructure/platform development
Experience with container tools and registries (Harbor, Trivy, Skopeo)
Familiarity with LDAP, Keycloak, or centralized auth systems
Previous experience supporting DoD/IC environments
Experience developing for disconnected or air-gapped systems
Contributions to open-source infrastructure automation projects
Clearance Requirements:
Active Top Secret with ability to obtain and maintain SCI
Work Type:
Onsite/Hybrid in San Diego, Ca
Must Reside in or commutable distance to San Diego, Ca
May require up to 15% travel
Salary Range:
$170,000 - $200,000
The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities
What we will offer you:
Highly competitive salary
Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) with company match
Take as you need PTO + 14 paid holidays
Generous Referral Bonuses
And More!
Our Vision Statement:
We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.
Our Customer Obsession:
We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.
How do we get there?
Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.
Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.
Your Rights: California residents have the right to request information about personal data collected and to request deletion, subject to certain exceptions. Note that employment-related information is subject to specific exemptions under CCPA. Contact Us: For questions about this notice or to exercise your privacy rights, contact: operations@teamraft.com or (703)570-4820.