Data Engineer / Data Architect III

This mission-critical role will spearhead the creation of our next-generation “Analytics Core” within a closed, classified, on-premises environment. The project unifies a 30-year legacy archive of diverse data—including reports, sensor data, imagery, and heavily geospatial intelligence—into a single, query-able, and AI-ready ecosystem. The role balances approximately 60% hands-on data engineering (ETL pipeline construction, data cleaning, and mapping) and 40% data architecture (strategic design and governance). As the technical anchor, you will build strong relationships, set clear technical standards, and interface with transitioning staff to ensure the project’s success.

Responsibilities

• Data Architecture & Modeling
  • Design the foundational multidimensional data models for complex, multi-modal data.
  • Untangle 30 years of complex historical data to resolve attribution issues and establish a clean, authoritative data model.
• Foundational Engineering
  • Act as the hands-on technical lead to build initial ETL/ELT pipelines using Python, SQL, and on-premises infrastructure.
  • Develop programmatic solutions to clean, parse, and ingest legacy unstructured and structured data.
• Geospatial Integration
  • Lead the integration between our on-premises ESRI portal and the new Analytics Core, given nearly all database records contain coordinate data.
  • Ensure spatial data seamlessly aligns with the multidimensional model.
• AI/ML Data Preparation
  • Establish standards for feature engineering, ensuring the database architecture is optimized for future Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications within a classified environment.
• Governance & Compliance
  • Enforce data governance, metadata tagging, and access control protocols in strict alignment with the DoD Data Strategy and classified network handling requirements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Integration
  • Interface with software engineers transitioning into data engineering by providing clear technical specifications, architectural blueprints, and constructive code reviews.
  • Collaborate closely with GIS specialists to integrate programmatic GIS outputs into the broader AI-ready database.
  • Partner with a junior data manager to operationalize data governance, define data rules, and manage the Data Dictionary, quality control, and legacy metadata tagging.
  • Lead and mentor less experienced employees, ensuring work completion aligns with organizational processes, standards, and policies.
  • Lead projects within the department or job functions to meet set standards and procedures.
• Support occasional travel as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5-9 years of real-world experience in data management, preferably in support of federal government programs.
• Experience in policy development and setting organizational goals for handling and using data.
• Proven ability to lead a data analysis team.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Hands-on experience building ETL/ELT pipelines and designing databases to clean and structure complex, messy legacy data.
• Experience with on-premises infrastructure is required.
• Stellar core engineering skills paired with a solid working knowledge of GIS data structures.
• Demonstrated understanding of the DoD Data Strategy.
• Proven ability to act as a technical anchor, interface with cross-functional teams, and establish standards for adjacent staff.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Security+ Certification.
• Active DoD Security Clearance is required. Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TS security clearance, pass a polygraph, and maintain both for the tenure of this position.
• Must successfully complete the full security clearance application process within 1-2 years of accepting the position.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with geospatial data (coordinates, spatial querying) and integration with ESRI portals is strongly preferred.
• Experience architecting and engineering data solutions on classified systems (SIPR/JWICS) is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package, which may include:
  • Health and Wellness benefits
  • Mental Health support
  • Retirement Savings plans
  • Life and Disability coverage
  • Paid Maternity and Parental Leave
  • Paid Time Off
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program

Pay

The salary range for this position is $118,600 - $177,800.

Schedule

• Scheduled weekly hours: 40
• Day shift with occasional after-hours and weekends required.