Data Engineer (Local Only)

At 4A Consulting, we turn complexity into opportunity. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Baltimore, MD, we are a women-owned, boutique consulting firm specializing in delivering innovative, data-driven solutions to both the Federal Government and Fortune 500 clients. Our team blends deep industry knowledge with advanced technologies to design tailored strategies that drive measurable and sustainable outcomes. We pride ourselves on an agile, collaborative approach that helps organizations navigate challenges and seize emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

About the role

We are seeking a Data Engineer to join our team in Woodlawn, MD, supporting the SSA in modernizing its fraud control strategy. This senior technical role is part of a high-impact team responsible for redesigning and optimizing fraud detection pipelines and workflows that safeguard federal benefits and adapt to evolving data sources. You will lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and flexible data engineering solutions while collaborating closely with data scientists, analysts, and federal stakeholders to ensure the iClaim model infrastructure is robust, adaptable, and future-ready.

Responsibilities

• Engineer and manage large-scale multi-source datasets to ensure high data integrity and reliability.
• Design, optimize, and maintain complex SQL queries for ETL operations across distributed databases.
• Build and automate resilient, high-availability ETL pipelines using tools like Apache Airflow.
• Write modular, well-documented Python code for data processing, feature engineering, and orchestration.
• Implement comprehensive data validation, cleansing, and quality checks throughout all pipeline stages.
• Apply CI/CD best practices, including version control, code reviews, logging, and monitoring.
• Collaborate with data scientists to optimize model pipelines for performance, maintainability, and scalability.
• Create and maintain data dictionaries, model specs, and system architecture guides.
• Support Agile sprints while refining data workflows and model deployment processes.
• Participate in deployment activities and conduct rigorous testing, validation, and post-implementation reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Proficient in SQL, ETL workflows, and cloud data platforms (Redshift, Snowflake, BigQuery).
• Experience with Apache Airflow or similar orchestration frameworks.
• Strong Python development skills, especially with pandas, NumPy, and automation libraries.
• Hands-on experience building data quality checks and validation frameworks.
• Familiarity with GitHub, Bitbucket, or similar version control tools.
• Knowledge of logging, monitoring, and error-handling approaches in production workflows.
• Understanding of modular design, code optimization, and Agile methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal agencies, particularly in fraud or anomaly detection.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Exposure to CI/CD, DevOps practices, and infrastructure-as-code.
• Knowledge of data governance, PII handling, and federal security standards.
• Experience with model documentation, feature tracking, and model lifecycle management.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employer sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Join 4A

• Be part of a mission-driven, women-owned consulting firm with a reputation for excellence.
• Work on high-impact projects across federal and commercial clients.
• Collaborate in an inclusive, growth-oriented culture where innovation is valued.
• Access career development programs, mentorship, and learning opportunities.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, flexible work options, and a focus on work-life balance.