Description

The DarkStar Group, a GRVTY Company is seeking a DevOps Engineer with a TS/SCI + Poly clearance (applicable to this customer) to join one of our top projects in Chantilly VA.  Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company, our benefits, and our $25,000 referral program.

THE PROJECT

The DarkStar Group's team provides tactical data engineering solutions. We embed skilled Data Engineers, Data Scientists, and ETL Developers directly into intelligence analyst groups to be their go-to data wranglers.  We develop new tools, code, and services to execute data engineering activities.  Our engineers work to collect, process, and feed analytic tools, turning data into intelligence in response to immediate mission needs, with direct impact on real world situations.  You will see your work used here on a daily basis, and you'll have the opportunity to support a variety of Sponsor mission organizations and mission partner organizations.

This is a time of development and growth on the program, with an increasing number of missions being supported.  The work is high impact and important, and the customer moves quickly.  The environment is fast-paced, flexible, and open to innovation - you'll have more latitude here in choosing how to achieve results than on many other projects.  The customer cares more about what you can do as opposed to your years of experience, and work hours are typically quite flexible - roll up your sleeves, get things done, and no one cares much about the specific hours that you work.  The work space itself is also quite nice, and there is an excellent cafeteria!

The tech stack on this team is rather huge and includes Python (Pandas, numpy, scipy, scikit-learn, standard libraries, etc.), Python packages that wrap Machine Learning (packages for NLP, Object Detection, etc.), Linux, AWS/C2S, Apache NiFi, Spark, pySpark, Hadoop, Kafka, ElasticSearch, Solr, Kibana, neo4J, MariaDB, Postgres, Docker, Puppet, and many others. 

Work on this program takes place in Chantilly, VA, McLean, VA and in various field offices throughout Northern VA (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS/SCI + Polygraph clearance (acceptable to this customer).

THE ROLE

• The DevOps Engineer supports software and data engineering with DevOps tools, culture, and process changes to enable rapid and stable delivery of applications and technologies. Identifies, prototypes, engineers, and deploys emerging software engineering and DevOps tools into existing baseline. Operates and supports a suite of enterprise DevOps services. Establishes, manages, automates, and enhances DevOps pipelines. Defines and promotes enterprise software engineering and DevOps standards, practices, and behaviors. Supports project teams as they integrate into the DevOps environment. May work in hybrid environments (multi-cloud, multi-domain, private/public). Writes and maintains infrastructure and configuration files, DevOps tool configuration scripts, and application run-time configuration scripts. Facilitates technical exchange meetings to identify, collect, and establish coordinated requirements with key stakeholders.  

Key Responsibilities:  

• Work with Chief Engineer and engineers to incorporate DevOps best practices and automation to improve program performance while reducing risk  
• Develops Infrastructure as Code to control all aspects of software environments and version control releases  
• Containerizes Java and Python code optimized for deployment in Kubernetes environment, ensuring high availability and parallel processing  
• Leverages AWS best practices to reduce compute costs while incorporating autoscaling and scheduling of resources according to program demand  
• Collaborate with development teams as part of software development lifecycle to design software while considering the production environment  
• Automate and version control deployments while ensuring a controlled deployment process that enables zero down time 
• Incorporates security scanning and other best practices to ensure new deployments comply with industry best practices  
• Works with the ISSE implementing security tools in the build pipeline 
• Document work in alignment with Agile Development practices  
• Works well as part of a fast-paced team with a desire to innovate and improve a multi-faceted organization 

Required Skills

• Minimum of 4-7 years’ demonstrated experience with:
  • Kubernetes and Helm Charts  
  • Docker and/or Podman Containerization best practices 
  • AWS Services (EKS, Lambdas, EMR, ECR, VPC, etc.)  
  • Terraform Experience  

• Terraform and Packer with AWS (AMIs, Environment, Configuration Automation, etc.)  
• Database ORM Tools (Flyway, etc.)  
• CI/CD Pipeline Automation (Git, Jenkins, Automated Testing, etc.)  
• Cloud environment and infrastructure engineering 
• Implementing DevOps within a Secure Environment 

About The DarkStar Group

Our Company

The DarkStar Group is a small business that solves BIG problems. We're one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US, and our engineers and scientists support the most critical national security missions in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Data Science, Software Engineering, Cloud/AWS Infrastructure, and Cyber/CNO are our core areas of expertise. We offer interesting and important work, job security, some of the best and most flexible benefits you'll find in the IC, and salaries so strong that they'll likely surprise you. 

Our Benefits

The DarkStar Group offers exceptional compensation and benefits:

• very strong salaries;
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents;
• the ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision;
• 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits;
• a generously-funded HSA;
• an 8% 401(k) contribution; 
• 31 days of PTO/holidays to start (more with tenure);
• the ability to flex time across pay periods without using your PTO;
• a generous training budget;
• $25,000 employee referral bonuses;
• business development / growth incentives; and
• top notch company swag.

** We have a huge growth opportunity, so we are offering up to a $25,000 reward for anyone new you refer whom we hire. **

The DarkStar Group, A GRVTY Company, 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 and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 
 
Anyone requiring reasonable accommodations should email ds_recruiting@grvty.com or call 703-544-7930 with requested details.  A member of the HR team will respond to your request within 2 business days. 

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