Product operations engineer

Summary

Bridge Defense is seeking a full-time Product Operations Engineer to support the deployment, operation, and continuous improvement of FarSpan, our platform for taking mission workflows from prototype to production on government networks, including classified networks.

This role combines hands-on delivery in secure environments with direct contributions to product improvement. You will deploy and support FarSpan where customers use it, execute requests using documented procedures, verify results, and maintain visibility into system health.

Working closely with the product team, you will turn operational observations into actionable improvements. The recurring tasks, workarounds, and deployment challenges you identify will help shape the platform’s development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Last-Mile Delivery & High-Side Support

• Manage the high-side product request queue, including deployments, configuration changes, data transfers, access requests, and health checks.
• Execute requests using written runbooks, verify successful completion, and document results before closing each request.
• Monitor deployed software and provide a daily system status report.
• Immediately escalate unexpected behavior, system issues, or other concerns requiring attention.
• Maintain accurate runbooks and update procedures when documented steps do not match the operating environment.
• Recognize when a request falls outside documented procedures and seek guidance before proceeding.

Operational Feedback & Product Improvement

• Maintain an improvement backlog documenting recurring tasks, inefficient processes, and workarounds.
• Capture the operational context and potential approaches needed to resolve or automate recurring issues.
• Collaborate with the product team to prioritize and address improvements.
• Participate in product standups to understand development priorities and contribute operational insight.
• Identify environmental constraints early and explain when proposed changes may not work in the deployed environment.
• Produce clear tickets and reports that help the development team understand and address operational gaps.

Required Qualifications, Education, and Experience:

• Experience writing code and the ability to read a script and explain its function. Professional software engineering experience is not required.
• Ability to follow documented procedures precisely and identify when instructions need correction.
• Ability to produce clear, accurate tickets, reports, and procedural documentation.
• Ability to navigate modern software and perform standard technical tasks involving files, processes, networks, and permissions.

Desired Qualifications, Education, and Experience:

• Experience operating on DoD or Intelligence Community networks, including SIPR, JWICS, or similar environments.
• Military communications or information technology experience.
• Familiarity with terminal-based work, including navigating Linux systems and reviewing log files.
• Help desk, systems administration, or operations center experience.
• Experience using Bash, Python, or PowerShell to automate routine tasks.
• Exposure to Kubernetes, containers, or continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD).
• Experience with Palantir Foundry or similar platforms.

Who Succeeds Here:

Successful candidates are dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable taking ownership of operational work. They follow procedures carefully, verify results, and communicate clearly when something is wrong or requires additional guidance. They also look for ways to improve how the platform operates. They notice recurring problems, document useful context, and collaborate with the product team to turn those observations into better capabilities and processes.

General Factors:

• Ability to perform hands-on technical work in secure government environments.
• Ability to follow documented procedures, maintain accurate records, and promptly escalate issues.
• Willingness to travel when needed, up to 10%.
• Depending on project requirements, may be required to work within a compressed schedule; overtime should be expected when schedules demand it.
• Willing to travel, if needed.
• Must be able to sit/stand at a desk for long-periods and must be able to lift 20 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to multi-task and rapidly change priorities with limited notice.

Clearance:

Active Secret required; TS/SCI preferred. Clearance sponsorship is not available for this position.

Location:

Ability to work in office in Washington, D.C., with daily work in a secure facility.

Travel Availability:

Ability to travel up to 10%, potentially including occasional trips to Tampa, Florida.

Salary Range:

$90,000–$125,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, education, security clearance, and certifications.

Benefits:

Bridge Defense offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, life insurance, and disability coverage.

Work Authorization:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable background investigations, verification of employment eligibility, customer approval, and maintenance of the required security clearance.

Online applications, please. When we review candidates' information, we are looking for the best matches for the position based on the qualifications listed in the job posting. If your skills and experience appear to match an open position, a recruitment services professional or a hiring manager may contact you.

Bridge Defense is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you are a qualified disabled veteran or individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to use or access our online system, please contact us at 202-436-9222.