Senior Data Engineer
About The Position
The Senior Data Engineer supports mission-critical scientific and research programs by applying a holistic approach to organizing, managing, and governing large and complex data assets. This role is responsible for implementing a unified data access and storage strategy that enables secure, scalable, and compliant use of data while supporting cloud migration and modernization initiatives. Working within a regulated federal environment, the engineer ensures that research and operational data are accessible, trustworthy, reproducible, and protected, enabling advanced analytics, modeling, and evidence-based decision-making across scientific, engineering, and programmatic stakeholders. This position is on-site Rockville, MD and may allow limited hybrid commute capability over time. Preference will be given to candidates based in the Washington, DC metro area. Ability to obtain and retain a public trust clearance is required. This full-time position is initially estimated to be a 6-month engagement that may develop into an extended role.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in data engineering, database engineering, or ETL development
- Demonstrated experience delivering production-grade data solutions in AWS and Azure environments
- Experience designing pipelines that support microservices or API-driven architectures
- Strong experience with relational database platforms (PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, or similar)
- Advanced SQL expertise, including performance tuning, validation, and complex analytical queries
- Experience designing and orchestrating ETL/ELT pipelines in support of enterprise or scientific data platforms
- Proficiency in Python, Java, or Scala for data processing and automation
- Experience with source control, CI/CD pipelines, and Agile or iterative development practices
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document complex technical systems for federal audiences
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting federal, scientific, or research-focused programs
- Familiarity with data governance, metadata management, and data stewardship principles
- Experience with cloud-native data services, including: AWS: S3, Redshift, RDS, Glue, Athena Azure: Data Factory, Synapse, Azure SQL, Azure Data Lake
- Experience with data orchestration and transformation tools (Airflow, dbt, ADF, Glue)
- Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM/Bicep)
- Familiarity with modern data architectures such as data lakes, lakehouse, and data warehouse platforms, including Databricks
- Experience with vector databases or advanced analytical data stores
- Experience working in regulated or secure environments (e.g., FedRAMP, FISMA, NIST 800-53)
- Experience mentoring technical staff or leading data architecture and design efforts
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and operate scalable data platforms and pipelines in AWS and Azure to support scientific, research, and operational workloads
- Develop and maintain ETL/ELT workflows that integrate structured data from diverse systems, instruments, and authoritative data sources
- Architect unified data storage and access solutions that improve discoverability, interoperability, and long-term stewardship of scientific data
- Support cloud migration efforts by modernizing legacy data systems and enabling secure cloud-native analytics
- Design, optimize, and maintain relational databases and SQL-based solutions in support of data-intensive research activities
- Ensure data performance, reliability, and cost efficiency through query optimization, schema design, and pipeline tuning
- Collaborate with application and platform teams supporting GraphQL-based microservices and federated architectures
- Implement data quality, validation, lineage, and monitoring controls to support data integrity, auditability, and reproducibility
- Collaborate with engineers, DevSecOps teams, data scientists, and government stakeholders in Agile delivery environments
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including system architectures, data flow diagrams, and operational runbooks
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with employer match
- paid time off
- professional development opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
