At Accenture Federal Services, nothing matters more than helping the US federal government make the nation stronger and safer and life better for people. Our 13,000+ people are united in a shared purpose to pursue the limitless potential of technology and ingenuity for clients across defense, national security, public safety, civilian, and military health organizations.    Join Accenture Federal Services, a technology company within global Accenture. Recognized as a Glassdoor Top 100 Best Place to Work, we offer a collaborative and caring community where you feel like you belong and are empowered to grow, learn and thrive through hands-on experience, certifications, industry training and more.    Join us to drive positive, lasting change that moves missions and the government forward!   About the Role: AFS is searching for Principal Kubernetes Solutions Architect to drive the design, deployment, and automation of Kubernetes-based platforms. This leadership role focuses on architecting secure, scalable, and highly available container orchestration environments to support business-critical workloads. The ideal candidate excels at building robust Kubernetes clusters and enabling development teams to maximize platform capabilities.   As a recognized expert in Kubernetes, you will leverage your deep experience in cluster management, security, and scaling to deliver resilient containerized solutions. Your advanced skills in Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native automation will empower development teams to efficiently utilize self-service Kubernetes platforms.   While the primary focus is Kubernetes, expertise with hybrid and private cloud environments such as VMware vSphere or OpenShift further distinguishes candidates.   Responsibilities:   * Architect, build, and maintain Kubernetes clusters with an emphasis on scalability, reliability, and security, utilizing best practices for cluster lifecycle management.   * Manage core Kubernetes services, including networking, storage, workload scheduling, and RBAC for access control.   * Oversee containerized workloads, ensuring high availability, efficient scaling, and robust security for multi-tenant environments.   * Architect, build, and maintain Kubernetes clusters with a strong focus on scalability, reliability, and security, applying best practices for cluster lifecycle management while overseeing core Kubernetes services including networking, storage, workload scheduling, and RBAC for access control.   * Design, implement, and manage Kubernetes Operators to automate operational tasks and lifecycle management of complex applications. Leverage both custom-built and existing Operators to streamline deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of workloads, ensuring consistency and reliability across environments.  * Drive Infrastructure as Code (IaC) initiatives using tools like Terraform to automate Kubernetes resource provisioning.   * Design, implement, and optimize CI/CD pipelines for containerized applications, embedding security controls throughout the pipeline.   * Build custom automation tools and scripts (Python, Go, Bash) to enhance Kubernetes operations and minimize manual tasks, leveraging APIs for integration.   * Serve as the Kubernetes subject-matter expert, mentoring development teams and guiding optimal use of container orchestration technologies.   * Collaborate with stakeholders to assess new Kubernetes-native solutions and recommend enhancements to platform efficiency and capabilities.   * Promote best practices in Git workflows and the use of AI tools to accelerate the development and troubleshooting of container-based applications.   * Break down large projects into actionable tasks for junior team members.   Required Skills & Experience:   * 10 years of relevant experience in any of the following: * Advanced proficiency with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), especially Terraform, including, but not limited to targeted applies, imports, and complex module usage.   * Significant experience architecting, deploying, and managing Kubernetes clusters (Amazon EKS or equivalent).   * Strong command of Kubernetes RBAC, security policies, and best practices.   * Demonstrated experience designing, building, and maintaining automated CI/CD pipelines for containerized workloads.   * Thorough understanding of Kubernetes networking, Linux/Unix systems, and platform security.   * Proficiency with Git and GitOps workflows for Kubernetes resource management.   * Must hold and maintain DoD 8140 certifications.   Preferred Qualifications:   * Experience with VMware vSphere or OpenShift in hybrid or private cloud contexts.   * Proven experience building custom Kubernetes operators.  * Familiarity with configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible).   * Exposure to public cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and DevOps methodologies.   * Advanced programming skills in Python, Go, or JavaScript/TypeScript.   * Understanding of authentication protocols including OIDC, OAuth2, LDAP, and SAML.   * Contributions to open-source Kubernetes or DevOps projects.   Relevant certifications:  * Kubernetes certifications such as Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS), and Kubestronaut.     Clearance An active TS/SCI federal security clearance is required   As required by local law, Accenture Federal Services provides reasonable ranges of compensation for hired roles based on labor costs in the states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, and the city of Cleveland. The base pay range for this position in these locations is shown below. Compensation for roles at Accenture Federal Services varies depending on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. Accenture Federal Services offers a wide variety of benefits. You can find more information on benefits here. We accept applications on an on-going basis and there is no fixed deadline to apply.   The pay range for the states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, and the city of Cleveland is: $139,600—$170,100 USD   What We Believe As a company wholly dedicated to serving the US federal government, we bring together the best talent to help reinvent how federal agencies operate and deliver greater value for their mission and the American people. We have an unwavering commitment to creating a culture in which all our people are respected, feel a sense of belonging, and have equal opportunity. As a business imperative, every person at Accenture Federal Services has the responsibility to create and sustain a culture where everyone feels welcomed and included. This is grounded in our core values and our experience that hiring and developing great people who reflect different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds is key to driving innovation and delivering the results that our clients and the country count on.   Equal Employment Opportunity Statement We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law. Our rich diversity makes us more innovative, more competitive, and more creative, which helps us better serve our clients and our communities. For details, view a copy of the Accenture Federal Services Equal Opportunity Policy Statement.   Accenture Federal Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Additionally, as an Affirmative Action Employer for Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, Accenture Federal Services is committed to providing veteran employment opportunities to our service men and women.   Requesting An Accommodation  Accenture Federal Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities or religious observances, including reasonable accommodation when needed. If you are hired by Accenture Federal Services and require accommodation to perform the essential functions of your role, you will be asked to participate in our reasonable accommodation process. Accommodations made to facilitate the recruiting process are not a guarantee of future or continued accommodations once hired.   If you are being considered for employment opportunities with Accenture Federal Services and need an accommodation for a disability or religious observance during the interview process or for the job you are interviewing for, please speak with your recruiter.   Other Employment Statements  Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.   Candidates who are currently employed by a client of Accenture Federal Services or an affiliated Accenture business may not be eligible for consideration.   Job candidates will not be obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest as part of the hiring process.   The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Additionally, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Company's legal duty to furnish information.   California requires additional notifications for applicants and employees. If you are a California resident, live in or plan to work from Los Angeles County upon being hired for this position, please click here for additional important information.