AI Platform and DevSecOps Engineer

Description Are you searching for important work at the intersection of National Security Analysis and Artificial Intelligence?

Are you passionate about deploying, sustaining, and securing AI-enabled software?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL, working at the forefront of operationalizing artificial intelligence in national security environments. In this role, you will bridge the gap between AI development and real-world deployment—ensuring that advanced capabilities, including large language models and supporting services, are delivered securely, reliably, and at scale to mission environments.

Working within the Advanced Mission Modeling and AI Group (JAM) in the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD), you will play a critical role in ensuring that AI capabilities are not just developed—but successfully fielded and maintained across DoD and Combatant Command infrastructures.

As an AI Platform and DevSecOps Engineer...

• Your primary responsibility will be to develop, maintain, and continuously update a secure library of containerized software and supporting stacks, along with implementing automated pipelines for container builds, testing, and validation and ensuring compatibility across multiple operating systems and architectures.
• You will design, deploy, and maintain Kubernetes-based infrastructure, maintain well-documented, reproducible deployment configurations, and optimize performance and reliability across constrained environments.
• You will develop processes to continuously scan containers and dependencies for vulnerabilities and remediate findings, ensuring compliance with evolving STIG requirements and security controls and integrating security best practices into CI/CD pipelines.
• You will navigate deployments across DoD and IC systems, adapt deployment strategies to meet ATO and accreditation constraints, and troubleshoot environment-specific deployment issues.

Qualifications You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or a closely related technical field.
• Have at least three years of relevant experience deploying software across Windows and Linux.
• Have experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Podman) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Have familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices.
• Have experience with vulnerability scanning and remediation.
• Have proficiency in Bash, or similar scripting languages.
• Possess strong problem-solving skills in constrained environments.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience deploying to classified or air-gapped environments.
• Possess familiarity with DoD DevSecOps processes.
• Have experience supporting AI/ML or LLM-based systems.
• Have knowledge of container security hardening and STIGs.
• Have experience with multi-architecture builds.
• Have experience with Kubernetes in restricted environments.

About Us Why Work at APL? The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [email protected].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate $100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate $245,000 Annually