Platform Engineer III

Koam Engineering Systems, Inc. (KES Inc.) is an employee-owned small business specializing in technology innovation and systems integration by combining innovative products and reliable engineering services. Headquartered in San Diego, California and with offices in Gig Harbor, WA KES provides services globally in systems engineering & technical assistance, requirements analysis, software design & development, systems integration & testing, independent verification & validation, and operational & logistic support. Position Summary We are currently seeking a Platform Engineer III to support systems integration, infrastructure engineering, automation, and platform sustainment within a Department of Defense test, integration, and evaluation environment. This position is responsible for translating technical requirements, partner inputs, system documentation, and emerging capabilities into operational environments that can be integrated, tested, evaluated, and sustained. The role requires a hybrid skillset across systems engineering, networking, virtualization, Linux and Windows administration, automation, software support, and DevOps practices. The selected candidate must understand how hardware, software, networks, operating systems, virtualization, automation, and platform components interconnect, and use that understanding to build, modify, troubleshoot, and sustain technical solutions. Experience with C4I systems, tactical data links, Navy Program of Record systems, Software Defined Networking, or DoD lab and fleet environments is highly desired. The selected candidate will perform hands-on technical integration, network configuration, systems administration, software support, automation, modernization, troubleshooting, and added capability efforts across complex DoD lab and test environments. Responsibilities Support end-to-end platform integration for DoD lab, test, and integration environments, including planning, implementation, validation, troubleshooting, and sustainment of new or modified capabilities.Gather and translate stakeholder requirements, technical documentation, system drawings, interface requirements, and network diagrams into executable implementation steps while clarifying dependencies, identifying technical gaps, and providing practical recommendations during technical discussions.Evaluate whether new or modified capabilities can be supported within existing lab, test, and integration environments, and recommend the hardware, software, compute, storage, networking, virtualization, automation, and platform approaches needed for implementation.Build, configure, administer, and sustain physical and virtual infrastructure, including servers, workstations, Linux, Windows Server, Windows workstations, internal hardware, supporting software, and related system components.Support C4I, data link, network, and system integration activities, including tactical network dependencies, lab infrastructure, test environments, system-to-system interfaces, Cisco networking, IP addressing, VLAN coordination, routing dependencies, firewall path validation, Software Defined Networking concepts, and end-to-end connectivity validation.Support virtualization, containerization, and platform technologies, including VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, OpenShift, or similar tools.Develop and implement automation solutions that improve repeatability, consistency, configuration control, deployment efficiency, validation, and sustainment.Manage and automate the delivery of scripts, configuration files, system changes, and software updates using Git-based repositories, CI/CD pipelines, artifact tracking, deployment automation, and configuration version control.Support casualty reporting, operational issue response, hardware and software integration, technical impact assessment, root cause analysis, corrective action documentation, computer builds, internal hardware configuration, driver support, plugin support, and system-level technical modifications.Maintain technical documentation, including implementation plans, configuration records, network diagrams, troubleshooting guides, validation steps, and sustainment procedures. Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Education/Licensure/Credentials Required: Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as computer science, computer engineering, information systems, network engineering, systems engineering, software engineering or a closely related disciplineOR Equivalent specialized knowledge customarily acquired through a combination of military training, formal technical instruction, certifications, and substantial progressively responsible practical experience performing work of comparable scope, complexity, and independent judgmentSecurity+ (DoD IAT Level II) or ability to meet requirements within three months of employmentThis position requires an existing U.S. Government DoD granted security clearance/eligibility at the final Secret level. Individuals must be able to maintain the necessary security clearance/eligibility for continued employment.U.S. Citizenship is required.Preferred: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)/ Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)Experience Required: Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience in systems integration, platform engineering, systems engineering, network engineering, software support, automation, DevOps, systems administration, or secure test environment sustainment within a DoD, enterprise, lab, test, or other complex technical environment.Hands-on experience building, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Linux, Windows, physical systems, virtual systems, network dependencies, system services, and application-supporting infrastructure.Experience interpreting stakeholder requirements, technical documentation, system drawings, interface requirements, military standards, or network diagrams and converting them into executable technical actions.Experience supporting network-dependent systems, including IP addressing, VLAN coordination, routing dependencies, firewall path validation, Cisco network infrastructure, secure enclave connectivity, and end-to-end connectivity troubleshooting.Experience supporting virtualization, containerization, and platform technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, OpenShift, or similar technologies.Experience developing automation, scripting, configuration management, deployment workflows, or repeatable technical processes using tools such as Python, PowerShell, Bash, Ansible, Terraform, GitLab, Jenkins, or similar technologies.Experience managing scripts, configuration files, system changes, or software updates using Git-based repositories, CI/CD pipelines, artifact tracking, deployment automation, or configuration version control.Experience troubleshooting complex technical issues, identifying root cause, assessing operational impact, and implementing corrective actions across systems, networks, virtualization, applications, automation workflows, or platform services.Experience supporting cybersecurity and compliance requirements within operational, laboratory, development, test, or integration environments, including STIGs, vulnerability remediation, RMF, ATO support, patching, scan response, or compliance documentation.Experience producing or maintaining technical documentation, including implementation plans, configuration records, system diagrams, network diagrams, troubleshooting notes, validation procedures, or engineering support records.Ability to communicate technical status, risks, recommendations, dependencies, and implementation details clearly to internal stakeholders, customers, and cross-functional teams.Preferred: Experience supporting C4I systems, tactical data links, C5ISR systems, tactical communications systems, Navy lab environments, operational test environments, or similar DoD integration environments.Experience with Program of Record, GOTS, and COTS technologies such as CANES, ADNS, Agile Core Services, tactical data link systems, C4I systems, or similar mission systems.Experience supporting Software Defined Networking, Cisco networking, secure enclave connectivity, lab network integration, or system-to-system network interfaces.Experience supporting casualty reporting, technical impact assessment, root cause analysis, corrective action documentation, and operational issue response.Experience developing or supporting drivers, plugins, internal hardware/software integrations, system-level modifications, or custom technical solutions.Experience supporting lab modernization, technical refresh, system relocation, new capability integration, test readiness, added capability efforts, or configuration-controlled infrastructure changes.Experience supporting classified and unclassified enclaves in Navy, NIWC Pacific, or other DoD test, fleet, or laboratory environments.Experience supporting disconnected, classified, air-gapped, controlled, or highly regulated environments where commercial development and deployment practices must be adapted to meet DoD security and operational requirements. Since 1995, KES continues to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of a growing small business that focuses on the needs of its customers and employees and serves to provide a rewarding and challenging career. KES offers a competitive salary and full range of benefits. KES, Inc. is an EEO/AA Employer committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce.