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Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

ITR

Kubernetes Software Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN · Remote

* Fully remote opportunity * Must be eligible for a federal security clearance (U.S. Citizenship is required) Kubernetes Platform Software Engineer As a Platform Software Engineer, you will design ...

Regal Cinemas, Inc

Software Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site +1

We're seeking Software Engineers ready to play a starring role in shaping the future of cinema ... remote working options, depending on the role. What really makes Regal shine? Our people. We're ...

micro1 AI

Bioinformatics Software Engineer

Knoxville, TN · Remote

$80 - $110/hr

Contractor Location: Remote micro1 is engaging Computational Biology & Cheminformatics Experts to contribute their expertise to a customer's computational drug discovery project. In this role, you'll ...

Pae

Structural Engineer - Remote/Hybrid

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site +1

... across defense, intelligence, energy, and civilian sectors. Our people are our competitive ... Ability to learn new software as necessary for project success * Comfort working in fast-paced ...

Pae

Senior Structural Engineer - Remote/Hybrid

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site +1

$96K - $130K/yr

... across defense, intelligence, energy, and civilian sectors. Our people are our competitive ... Ability to learn new software as necessary for project success * Comfort working in fast-paced ...

Amentum

Civil Engineer - Remote/Hybrid

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site +1

... across defense, intelligence, energy, and civilian sectors. Our people are our competitive ... Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D and standard engineering software tools * Strong written and ...

Pae

Civil Engineer - Remote/Hybrid

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site +1

... across defense, intelligence, energy, and civilian sectors. Our people are our competitive ... Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D and standard engineering software tools * Strong written and ...

Trimble

SDET - Supplier Exchange

Knoxville, TN · On-site +1

$47.75 - $61.50/hr

TN, CO, US REMOTE Trimble has an opening for a Software Developer Engineer in Test (SDET) Level II position in Knoxville, TN. This is an exciting time to join as we grow and bring new features and ...

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All JobsDefense Contractor Software Engineer JobsRemote Defense Contractor Software Engineer JobsRemote Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$60.7K

$141K

$196.5K

How much do remote defense contractor software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote defense contractor software engineer in Oak Ridge, TN is $141,039.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,700.00 and $165,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote defense contractor software engineer?

A Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer is a software developer who works for a company contracted by government defense agencies to build, maintain, or secure software systems, but does their work from a remote location instead of a traditional office or on-site facility. These engineers often develop applications for military or national security use, which can include communication systems, cybersecurity tools, or mission-critical platforms. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, they may require special security clearances and must adhere to strict security protocols even while working remotely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote defense contractor software engineer?

To excel as a Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer, you typically need a strong background in computer science or engineering, proficiency in programming languages like C++ or Java, and active security clearance. Familiarity with secure coding practices, embedded systems, and tools such as Git, Jira, and specialized defense software development environments is crucial. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and self-motivation are standout soft skills for remote collaboration and meeting strict project requirements. These competencies ensure secure, reliable software delivery and effective teamwork in sensitive, mission-critical defense projects.

How does a remote defense contractor software engineer typically collaborate with team members and stakeholders given security and communication constraints?

Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineers often work with multidisciplinary teams, including developers, project managers, and cybersecurity specialists. Collaboration is facilitated through secure, government-approved communication platforms and version control systems that comply with strict security protocols. Regular virtual meetings and documentation are essential to ensure alignment on project requirements and updates. While remote work offers flexibility, engineers must be diligent in following procedures for handling sensitive information and may sometimes need to access secure facilities for classified work. Effective communication and adaptability are key to overcoming the challenges of working in a highly regulated, remote environment.

What is the difference between Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer vs Remote Cybersecurity Software Engineer?

AspectRemote Defense Contractor Software EngineerRemote Cybersecurity Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related, security clearances often preferredBachelor's in CS, Cybersecurity, or related; certifications like CISSP beneficial
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, government projects, secure facilitiesTech companies, security firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military sectorsPrimarily cybersecurity and IT sectors
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for security clearance and defense projectsCompared for network security and threat mitigation roles

The Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer typically works on defense and military projects requiring security clearances, while the Remote Cybersecurity Software Engineer focuses on protecting networks and systems from cyber threats. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their industries and project types differ significantly.

What job categories do people searching Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer job openings:

Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,039 per year, or $67.8 per hour.

Kubernetes Software Engineer

ITR

Oak Ridge, TN • Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

  • Fully remote opportunity
  • Must be eligible for a federal security clearance (U.S. Citizenship is required)

Kubernetes Platform Software Engineer
As a Platform Software Engineer, you will design, implement, and maintain the custom Kubernetes operators underpinning the on-premises Kubernetes clusters, with a strong focus on scalability, reliability, and maintainability. You will assist with Kubernetes infrastructure automation via the creation of tooling and processes. You will advise on the technical direction and implementation of the internal team's software engineering initiatives, evaluate and integrate key technologies, and provide mentorship to the junior engineers for software development.
Key Responsibilities
  • Custom Kubernetes operator development
  • Design, implement, maintain, modify, and test custom Kubernetes operators written in Go and/or Ansible
  • Enhance existing software development processes, practices, and standards. Test environments to evaluate tooling based on performance, feature set, and maintainability—especially for components that must work reliably with on-premise hardware and OS requirements.
  • Support the use and understanding of in-house Kubernetes operators and serve as a maintainer for those controllers.
  • Architecture & Infrastructure as Code and Tooling
  • Develop and implement an Architecture as Code process for the Slate platform
  • Write and maintain infrastructure and deployment code using tools such as ArgoCD (GitOps), Puppet (OS management), Go, Python, Bash, Ansible, Terraform, and GitLab CI.
  • Engage with development teams to understand platform needs and tailor the cluster experience to meet evolving requirements.
  • Technical Leadership for Software Engineering
  • Provide software development, guidance, code reviews, and pair programming support to a team of 11 engineers.
  • Contribute to onboarding, team documentation, and process improvement initiatives.
  • Act as a go-to technical expert for all Kubernetes custom operator questions across the engineering organization.
Collaboration
  • Partner closely with internal cybersecurity and development teams to ensure the platform's custom operators meet security, compliance, and usability expectations.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects related to platform enhancements, cluster lifecycle automation, and infrastructure provisioning.
Key Technologies & Tools
  • Languages: Go, Python, Bash
  • CI/CD: GitLab CI, ArgoCD
  • IaC/Config Management: Puppet, Helm, Ansible
  • Kubernetes & Ecosystem: On-prem K8s, Custom Operators, Service Mesh, k8s architecture
  • Operating Systems: Linux-based OS management at the hardware level, strong Linux sysadmin skills
What Sets This Role Apart
  • Deep involvement in designing on-prem Kubernetes infrastructure, with full ownership from OS/hardware layer up to service-level automation.
  • A platform-first approach to engineering that balances security, developer experience, and operational scalability.
  • Strong mentorship and team enablement focus—guiding engineers while staying hands-on with architecture and implementation.