Data and Software Engineer (TS/SCI w/ Poly)

JTEC Consulting; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

On-site workplace

Job summary

JTEC Consulting is seeking a Data and Software Engineer to design, implement, and optimize end-to-end data architectures and cloud-native infrastructure on-site in Chantilly, VA. The role requires a TS/SCI with polygraph and strong experience in distributed backend systems, Python, and governance.

The candidate will build high-throughput data pipelines, work with Lakehouse tooling, and collaborate with DoD-focused teams to meet strict security and compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship
• Current TS/SCI with agency-specific polygraph required for consideration
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical discipline (equivalent years of direct experience considered in lieu of a degree)
• 5+ years of progressive experience in data engineering, software engineering, or distributed backend systems
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to support a collaborative, cross-functional team
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct and solve complex performance bottlenecks in production distributed environments
• Prior experience delivering platforms within federal, defense, or highly regulated enterprise spaces

Responsibilities

• Architect, build, and maintain production-grade data pipelines and ETL/ELT workflows using Python, Apache Spark, and workflow orchestration frameworks.
• Deploy and optimize Apache Iceberg and Trino to support low-latency analytical queries and large-scale data processing.
• Design relational schemas, maintain indexes, and optimize queries on MySQL and PostgreSQL.
• Ingest and analyze geospatial data with PostGIS and Uber H3.
• Containerize microservices and batch jobs using Docker or Podman; provision AWS resources via Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Implement cataloging, data governance, lineage, and metadata using Unity Catalog OSS, Apache Polaris, and OpenLineage.
• Collaborate with data science to integrate AI/ML services and operationalize models within data workflows.
• Lead large-scale data migrations, schema evolutions, and platform modernization with minimal downtime.
• Document technical designs, establish testing standards, and mentor teammates on data engineering patterns

Skills

Python

Distributed systems

Cloud computing

Bash scripting

Java

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical discipline

Tools

Apache Spark

Apache Airflow

Iceberg

Trino

MySQL

PostgreSQL

Terraform

CloudFormation

Docker

Kubernetes

PostGIS

Uber H3

Unity Catalog OSS

OpenLineage

OpenLineage

Superset

Job description

Data and Software Engineer (TS/SCI w/ Poly)

Chantilly, VA 20151

JTEC Consulting LLC focuses on successfully delivering solutions to meet our clients' most critical needs. Our founding members have decades of experience delivering a wide range of solutions to Air Force and DoD clients. We are a Veteran-Owned Small Business dedicated to bridging complex operational challenges with modern data solutions.

Security Clearance Requirement: Current TS/SCI with polygraph

Location Note: 100% On-site

Relocation: Relocation support for candidates outside the commuting area will be considered

Position Description: JTEC Consulting is seeking an experienced Data and Software Engineer to join a focused, agile engineering team building high-throughput, mission-critical data flows for a custom enterprise application. The Data and Software Engineer will design, implement, and optimize end-to-end data architectures, robust ETL/ELT pipelines, and cloud-native infrastructure at scale. Qualified candidates will demonstrate advanced software engineering fundamentals in Python with deep distributed systems expertise, rigorous data governance standards, and modern Lakehouse tooling. A current security clearance with agency-specific polygraph is strictly required for consideration.

Core Responsibilities

• Pipeline Architecture and Orchestration: Architect, build, and maintain production-grade data pipelines and ETL/ELT workflows using Python, Apache Spark, and workflow orchestration frameworks (e.g., Apache Airflow)
• Lakehouse and Analytics Engineering: Deploy and optimize open table formats (Apache Iceberg) and federated query engines (Trino) to support low-latency analytical queries and large-scale data processing
• Database Design and Performance Tuning: Design relational schemas, maintain indexes, and execute query optimization on MySQL and PostgreSQL for complex analytical workloads
• Geospatial and Complex Data Handling: Ingest, structure, and analyze non-traditional and spatial data formats utilizing indexing systems and spatial extensions like Uber H3 and PostGIS
• Cloud and Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Containerize microservices and batch jobs using Docker or Podman, provisioning and managing scalable AWS resources (S3, Lambda, Step Functions) via Terraform or CloudFormation
• Data Governance, Lineage and Metadata: Implement cataloging and end-to-end operational lineage tracking using Unity Catalog OSS, Apache Polaris, and OpenLineage to satisfy strict compliance, privacy, and security mandates
• AI/ML Model Integration: Collaborate with data science and engineering peers to integrate AI/ML services and operationalize inference models into upstream and downstream data workflows
• Modernization and Migration: Lead technical strategy for large-scale data migrations, schema evolutions, and platform modernization initiatives with minimal system downtime
• Stakeholder Collaboration and Best Practices: Translate ambiguous operational requirements into technical specifications with minimal oversight; author comprehensive technical documentation, establish testing standards, and mentor team members on data engineering design patterns

Education and Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship
• Current TS/SCI with agency-specific polygraph required for consideration
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline (equivalent years of direct experience considered in lieu of a degree)
• 5+ years of progressive experience in data engineering, software engineering, or distributed backend systems
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to support a collaborative, cross-functional team including engineering peers and operational stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct and solve complex performance bottlenecks in production distributed environments
• Prior experience delivering platforms within federal, defense, or highly regulated enterprise spaces

Technical Requirements

• Core Programming:
  • Advanced proficiency in Python, including standard scientific and data manipulation libraries (Pandas, NumPy)
  • Robust Bash scripting skills for system automation, container startup sequences, and utility pipelines
  • Professional familiarity with Java for troubleshooting or extending distributed data systems
• Big Data and Query Engines:
  • Deep production experience configuring, deploying, and tuning Apache Spark / PySpark jobs
  • Hands-on experience with modern Lakehouse formats (Apache Iceberg) and distributed SQL engines (Trino)
• Cloud and Infrastructure:
  • Strong AWS ecosystem expertise, specifically Amazon S3, AWS Lambda, and AWS Step Functions
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) deployment using Terraform or AWS CloudFormation
  • Containerization expertise using Docker or Podman
• Data Stores (RDBMS & NoSQL):
  • Advanced SQL capabilities with a proven record of schema design and performance tuning in MySQL and PostgreSQL
  • Hands-on experience with NoSQL document or key-value stores (e.g., Amazon DynamoDB)
• Geospatial Analytics:
  • Direct working experience manipulating geospatial data leveraging PostGIS and hexagonal hierarchical spatial index frameworks (H3)
• Governance, Metadata and Visualization:
  • Experience implementing data catalogs and governance tools such as Unity Catalog OSS or Apache Polaris
  • Track record implementing data observability or lineage using OpenLineage
  • Experience configuring data visualization layers and business intelligence dashboards using Apache Superset
• Development Operations:
  • Version control mastery (Git) and CI/CD automated deployment pipelines
  • Solid understanding of data security, privacy principles, role-based access control (RBAC), and regulatory compliance standards

JTEC Consulting LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary: JTEC offers competitive compensation and benefits to all employees. Salary ranges are advertised based on good faith estimates at the time of posting and indicating pay that JTEC anticipates for successful applicants. The estimated salary range displayed in this posting is dependent upon position requirements, individual qualifications, education, experience, location, and other job-related factors. Our recruiting team will review candidates' related experience and desired salary targets during the evaluation process. All qualified candidates will be considered.