Junior Data Engineer

About the role

Dark Wolf constructs and deploys data management and analytics solutions for the defense and intelligence communities. We’re proud to boast a world-class engineering team that thrives on rolling up their sleeves to solve your mission’s biggest challenges. Dark Wolf is seeking a Junior / Entry-Level Data Engineer to support the development, maintenance, and monitoring of scalable data pipelines in secure, high-assurance environments. In this role, you will work alongside senior data architects and engineers to ingest, clean, and transform structured and unstructured datasets, ensuring high data quality and system dependability for mission-critical applications.

Location: Chantilly/Herndon, VA.

Responsibilities

• Assist with constructing and maintaining ETL/ELT pipelines using Python and SQL.
• Support data ingestion from structured and unstructured sources into relational and non-relational databases.
• Perform basic data profiling, quality checks, and schema validation.
• Build, run, and maintain application modules using Docker for deployment.
• Execute automated security scanning tools and perform unit tests to ensure code quality and compliance.
• Participate actively in daily Agile activities, code reviews, and backlog refinement sessions.

Qualifications

• Clearance: Must be a US Citizen holding an active TS/SCI security clearance with an active Full-Scope Polygraph.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: 0-4+ years of data engineering experience.

Skills

• Data Processing Frameworks: Basic familiarity with Apache Spark, Pandas, or SQL-based transformation frameworks.
• Database Systems: Core understanding of relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) and foundational NoSQL concepts.
• Data Modeling: Basic knowledge of dimensional modeling, normalization, and relational schema design.
• Programming & Scripting: Strong fundamental proficiency in SQL, Python, and Bash scripting.
• Containerization: Experience building and running basic Docker containers.
• Agile Frameworks: Working knowledge of Agile, Scrum, or Kanban workflow practices.
• Multi-Cloud Architecture: Basic familiarity with cloud object storage and data services in AWS or Azure.
• Security Scanning Tooling: Hands-on exposure to static code analysis and security scanning tools (e.g., SonarQube).
• Desired: Experience writing automated SQL and Python unit tests.
• Desired: Basic certifications such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or AWS Certified Developer.

Pay

Target Salary Range: $90,000.00 – $130,000.00 (Commensurate with specialized expertise and technical skillset).