Data Engineer Associate
About The Position
AIR’s Tek Office is seeking a motivated Data Engineer Associate to join our collaborative data and analytics team. The Data Engineer Associate will support the design, development, and maintenance of scalable data pipelines and contribute to building modern data platforms that enable business intelligence, analytics, and reporting. This role is ideal for an early-career professional with a foundational understanding of data engineering principles and hands-on experience (academic or professional) with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric tools. The position offers opportunities for mentorship, technical skill development, and exposure to modern cloud-based data solutions in a collaborative environment. This position reports into the Technology Office. This position offers hybrid work flexibility, requiring three days per week in AIR’s Virginia office, with occasional travel for meetings, training sessions, and conferences. About AIR: Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, related field or at least 2 years of relevant professional experience.
- 1-2 years of experience in data engineering, data analysis, or related roles.
- Foundational understanding of data engineering concepts, including ETL/ELT processes, data modeling, and data warehousing.
- Hands-on experience with SQL and relational databases, along with familiarity in Python, PySpark, or similar programming languages.
- Exposure to Microsoft Azure data services, including Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Data Lake Storage, supporting scalable and cloud-based data solutions.
- Hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, Data Factory, Dataflows Gen2, OneLake), along with familiarity with Power BI, APIs, and modern data integration techniques.
- Understanding of CI/CD pipelines, version control (Git), data governance, security, and compliance practices, with exposure to big data or distributed computing frameworks; relevant Microsoft and industry certifications preferred.
- Strong communicator who can convey complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences while fostering collaboration across cross functional and virtual teams.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independence and initiative while partnering collaboratively to achieve shared team objectives.
- Highly adaptable in fast paced environments, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent workstreams while delivering timely, high-quality results.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrating strong critical thinking, data accuracy, and disciplined attention to detail.
- Strong eagerness to learn and integrate new technologies, particularly within the Microsoft ecosystem, to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
Nice To Haves
- relevant Microsoft and industry certifications preferred
Responsibilities
- Assist in the development and maintenance of data pipelines and ETL/ELT processes using Azure and Fabric tools.
- Support ingestion, integration, and transformation of data from multiple internal and external sources.
- Work with Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse, and Microsoft Fabric (Data Factory, Lakehouse, Dataflows, etc.).
- Help design and maintain data models, data lakes, and data warehouses.
- Write and optimize SQL queries for data transformation and validation.
- Collaborate with data analysts, business stakeholders, and senior engineers to align on shared team objectives and drive successful outcomes.
- Monitor and troubleshoot data workflows to ensure reliability and performance.
- Participate in data quality, governance, and documentation efforts.
- Contribute to process automation and continuous improvement.
- Duties and responsibilities may change based on business needs.
Benefits
- AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
