Sr. Kubernetes & Linux Systems Administrator

The Senior Kubernetes & Linux Systems Administrator will serve as a key member of the Embedded Network Services team, responsible for architecting, deploying, securing, and maintaining enterprise-grade container orchestration environments in support of high-performance computing, AI/ML clusters, and mission-critical DoD systems. This role requires deep expertise in Kubernetes (K8s), Linux systems engineering, and automation frameworks, as well as experience operating in secure, classified, and compliance-driven environments. The administrator will work closely with cybersecurity teams, scientific computing staff, and program management to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient operations for both development and production workloads.

As a dynamic systems integrator, SMS offers proven solutions in engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. With expertise in modernizing and optimizing legacy infrastructure and systems, ensuring operational efficiency, and designing, implementing, and managing secure environments, SMS supports business and mission goals with proficiency, quality, and integrity.

SMS has been serving the advanced information technology needs of the federal government since 1976, delivering talented teams and innovative, cost-effective solutions and services to support our customers’ missions for more than 45 years. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States. For additional information on SMS, visit www.sms.com.

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Kubernetes & Container Management

• Design, deploy, and maintain Kubernetes clusters (bare-metal and cloud-based) for AI/ML workloads, research computing, and mission applications
• Implement container lifecycle management, secure image registries, and CI/CD integration.
• Manage container runtimes (Docker, Podman) and orchestration tooling (Helm, Kustomize).
• Ensure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), network policies, and container security compliance (DoD STIGs).

Linux Systems Administration

• Perform advanced administration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, and Ubuntu systems in both classified and unclassified environments.
• Manage OS patching, kernel tuning, and performance optimization for high-throughput computing workloads.
• Configure and manage storage (SAN, NAS, object storage), networking, and virtualization platforms.
• Support Ansible/Puppet-based configuration management and infrastructure-as-code practices.

Security, Compliance, and Documentation

• Implement and maintain DoD STIG compliance, encryption for data at rest/in transit, and vulnerability mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to RMF (Risk Management Framework) and eMASS documentation to support system accreditation.
• Maintain security controls including VPN access, SSH key management, and multi-factor authentication.

Operational Support

• Monitor cluster and system health, respond to incidents, and troubleshoot performance issues.
• Coordinate with scientific researchers to integrate specialized software and workflows.
• Serve as a technical liaison with vendors, government project managers, and other IT support teams.
• Support backup, disaster recovery, and COOP procedures for critical systems.
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Basic Qualifications:

• Active DoD SECRET security clearance (or ability to obtain/maintain).
• CompTIA Security+ CE (required for privileged DoD accounts).
• 5+ years of Linux systems administration in enterprise or high-performance environments.
• 3+ years of Kubernetes cluster deployment and administration experience.
• Proficiency with Ansible, Puppet, or similar configuration management tools.
• Experience with networking (DNS, DHCP, firewalls, VLANs) and storage (SAN, NAS, object storage).
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and DoD/AF compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) or equivalent Linux certification.
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS).
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience with GPU-enabled Kubernetes workloads for AI/ML pipelines.
• Familiarity with hybrid or multi-cloud K8s deployments (Rancher, OpenShift, Tanzu, EKS/AKS/GKE).
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, ArgoCD) and container security scanning (Anchore, Trivy, Clair).
• Knowledge of high-performance computing (HPC) environments and parallel processing frameworks.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or Go.

SMS is a dynamic systems integrator established in 1976, delivering talented teams and innovative, cost-effective solutions and services to support our customers’ missions for more than 47 years. Our ability to hire and retain quality people in a rapidly evolving IT market is proven through our employee retention rate averaging over 3 years. At SMS, we place a high value on quality of service, customer satisfaction, and best-of-breed policies and practices, resulting in CMMI Level 3 certification and ISO registrations including 9001:2015, 20000-1:2018, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013. SMS is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices and on-site operations at customer locations throughout the United States. 

SMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.