Principal Classified Systems Architect (Kubernetes)

Location: Washington, DC; onsite role in the United States

Salary: $224,000–$308,000 USD annual base salary

Company

Okta builds identity and access infrastructure, including secure platforms for AI and sensitive government missions.

What you will do

• Define and evolve the architecture of Okta Federal’s SIPR and JWICS environments.
• Design resilient infrastructure-as-code blueprints for air-gapped environments, including disconnected operations, cross-domain solutions, and sneaker-net patch management.
• Translate DISA STIGs, RMF, and other compliance controls into automated technical implementations with Product Engineering, SRE, application, collaboration, and security teams.
• Select and integrate compliant High Side tools such as Platform One, Big Bang, Iron Bank, Kubernetes, and hardened containers.
• Review architectural changes and major upgrades across the classified boundary while tracking uptime, ATO velocity, patch latency, vulnerability resolution, and developer experience.
• Establish observability and continuous-monitoring architectures that meet strict auditing requirements.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in systems architecture, DevSecOps engineering, or a similar role, including at least 5 years in DoD classified environments at IL6/Secret level or higher.
• Deep experience with Platform One, Cloud One, Big Bang, and Iron Bank in disconnected environments.
• Strong Kubernetes experience, including EKS/RKE2, container registries, Helm charts, and sidecars without internet access.
• Experience with DoD CC SRG IL6, NIST 800-53, FIPS 140-3, Cross Domain Solutions, and Zero Trust Architecture.
• Excellent communication skills for explaining High Side constraints to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at Secret or Top Secret level as required by government contracts; drug testing may also be required.

Culture & Benefits

• Mission-driven work securing identity infrastructure for sensitive government use cases.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k), flexible spending account, paid time off, and parental leave.
• Equity and bonus opportunities where applicable.
• In-person onboarding and collaboration within a global organization.