DevOps Engineer

📋 Job Overview

9 Mothers is hiring a DevOps Engineer to support a rapidly growing defense engineering team. In this broad-scope IC role, you will automate fleet deployment activities, build low-latency CI/CD pipelines, and manage internal tooling to keep our software, hardware, and mechanical engineers operating at maximum velocity.

🏢 About 9 Mothers

Backed by top-tier investors, we develop AI powered machines designed to intercept and neutralize Group 1/sUAS threats in real-time. Our flagship product is a low-power, counter-drone system built for the edge—on vehicles, at bases, or in a soldier's pack.

🎯 The Role

In this broad-scope IC role, you will automate fleet deployment activities, build low-latency CI/CD pipelines, and manage internal tooling to keep our software, hardware, and mechanical engineers operating at maximum velocity. From configuring AI-driven internal workflows and custom LLM agent tools to managing build runners, edge deployment targets (NVIDIA Jetson), and infrastructure environments, you will serve as a resourceful problem solver capable of tackling dynamic priorities in a fast-moving defense startup environment.

✅ Key Responsibilities

• Fleet Deployment & Hardware/Software Integration: Automate hardware fleet deployment activities and troubleshoot complex software, hardware, edge compute, and networking issues across our platform.
• Automated CI/CD & Build Infrastructure: Create and maintain modern GitHub Actions workflows, manage organizational repositories and rulesets, and build composable test environments, simulation harnesses, and release pipelines.
• AI Tooling & Workflow Automation: Automate traditional IT and engineering tasks using AI-based workflows, build internal AI agents, and configure custom Claude skills and plugins to boost cross-functional staff productivity.
• SaaS, Identity & Access Management: Manage internal system integrations, configure SSO/SAML policies, and oversee identity and access controls.
• Infrastructure as Code & Environments: Provision and maintain infrastructure using composable configurations across cloud environments, internal lab setups, and developer workstations.
• Compliance & Security Hardening: Enforce security best practices, access controls, and repository governance compliant with defense and export control standards.

📌 Required Qualifications

• Core Systems Experience: 5+ years of hands-on technical experience in DevOps, infrastructure, or systems administration.
• Linux Shell & Networking: Highly comfortable working in a Linux shell environment with a strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, routing, and system diagnostics.
• Build & Automation Tooling: Solid experience with configuration management tools, modern build pipelines, and GitHub Actions workflow development. Experience building or integrating custom LLM tools, Claude skills, or AI agents into daily workflows.
• Independence & Problem Solving: Resourceful self-starter comfortable operating independently, taking ownership of ambiguous tasks, and navigating changing priorities with limited oversight.
• Familiarity with NVIDIA Jetson: Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms (Orin, JetPack) or embedded Linux edge targets.
• Compliance: This position requires access to export-controlled information under ITAR. Only U.S. citizens are permitted. Must be willing to submit a background check.

⭐ Desirable Experience

• Experience in a regulated, ITAR, CMMC, or compliance-bound defense environment.
• Cloud administration experience on Azure and familiarity with Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).
• Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one.

🎁 Benefits

• Meaningful Early Equity: You aren't just an employee; you are a foundational owner. Your contributions directly drive the value of your stake in the company.
• Direct Roadmap Influence: Forget the bureaucracy of big defense. You will have a seat at the table, directly shaping our product and technology trajectory from day one.
• Mission-Critical Work: We don't build for "what if." We build systems the Department of War actively needs to counter immediate, real-world threats.
• The Builder's Playground: Work in a brand-new lab fully optimized for rapid prototyping, equipped with NVIDIA Jetsons, high-end scopes, and 3-D printers.
• 100% Employer-Paid Premiums: We cover 100% of your medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums and cover 50% of healthcare premiums for your dependents.
• Unlimited PTO: We value results, not clock-watching. Take the time you need to stay sharp and recharge.
• Zero Red Tape: You report to the founders. You have the autonomy to make technical decisions that would take months of committee approval at a larger firm.
• Austin-Based Culture: Join an onsite team in Austin, TX, where we prioritize high-bandwidth collaboration and rapid field-testing.
• Relocation Assistance: We want the best talent in the room. If you aren't in Austin yet, we’ll help you get here, to make your transition to the Silicon Hills seamless.

🛂 Visa & Eligibility

• This position requires access to export-controlled information under ITAR. Only U.S. citizens are permitted. Must be willing to submit a background check.