Data Engineer

ECS; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Everforth ECS seeks a Data Engineer to support the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) in SUNet data management, storage, organization, and secure transport within an IL5-approved environment. The role collaborates with government customers, AI/ML developers, vendors, and engineers to ensure mission data is accessible to authorized users.

A strong foundation in Linux, scripting, and IT security is required, with guidance from senior engineers for complex tasks and

Qualifications

• Autonomous self-starter who delivers complex data solutions independently.
• Ability to translate operational needs into data-management actions under guidance.
• Foundational knowledge of data management, Linux, scripting, and IT security.

Responsibilities

• Support ingestion, organization, storage, and secure transport of data in SUNet.
• Validate transfers and maintain data inventories, metadata, and access info.
• Develop basic scripts to automate data pipelines and reporting tasks.
• Create and maintain documentation including runbooks and procedures.
• Collaborate with government partners and AI/ML teams to meet data reqs.

Skills

Python fundamentals

Bash scripting

SQL fundamentals

Linux administration

AWS cloud storage fundamentals

Data governance basics

Git/GitLab basics

Secure data transfer

DoD data-handling requirements

Change management basics

Container concepts (Docker/Podman)

Tools

Docker/Podman

AWS

Git/GitLab

SFTP/SCP

Job description

Everforth ECS is seeking a Data Engineer to support the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) in the management, storage, organization, and secure transport of data within the Secure Unclassified Network (SUNet). SUNet is a unique IL5-approved, off-DODIN environment that enables government organizations and commercial technology partners to securely access Department of Defense data and supporting resources for the development, testing, and evaluation of artificial intelligence and autonomous models. The Data Engineer will support day-to-day data operations across the SUNet environment, including data ingestion, storage, movement, validation, documentation, and user access. The individual will work closely with government customers, AI/ML developers, commercial vendors, systems engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and other technical stakeholders to ensure mission data is available to authorized users when and where it is needed. This position is intended for a technical professional with a foundational understanding of data management, Linux, cloud technologies, scripting, and information technology. The successful candidate will be expected to independently execute routine technical tasks while receiving guidance from senior engineers for more complex data, infrastructure, and security activities. The position provides significant opportunities to develop technical expertise while directly supporting Department of Defense artificial intelligence and autonomy initiatives.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the ingestion, organization, storage, management, and secure transport of structured and unstructured data within the SUNet environment.
• Execute approved data transfers between authorized systems, storage locations, enclaves, and users while adhering to established security, data-handling, and customer requirements.
• Validate data transfers using manifests, file counts, checksums, metadata, or other verification methods to ensure data completeness and integrity.
• Maintain data inventories, metadata, storage locations, access information, transfer records, and other documentation necessary to provide visibility into available SUNet data holdings.
• Assist with the management of on-premises and cloud-based data storage resources, including monitoring capacity, organizing datasets, identifying storage requirements, and supporting data lifecycle activities.
• Generate, submit, coordinate, track, test, document, and close Change Requests associated with data operations, system configurations, access requirements, and customer-requested capabilities.
• Implement assigned customer requirements by translating operational needs into data-management actions, technical tasks, configuration changes, or process improvements under the guidance of senior technical personnel.
• Support the onboarding of new government and commercial users, data sources, and development teams by coordinating data access, identifying required datasets, and assisting with approved data-transfer workflows.
• Troubleshoot routine issues involving data access, permissions, file transfers, storage capacity, connectivity, data availability, and related services, escalating more complex technical issues when appropriate.
• Develop basic scripts and automation using tools such as Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar technologies to improve repetitive data-management, validation, transfer, and reporting processes.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including standard operating procedures, data-flow diagrams, data inventories, transfer procedures, troubleshooting guides, Change Request documentation, and operational runbooks.
• Support special projects, data migrations, capability demonstrations, testing events, process-improvement initiatives, and other technical activities necessary to support CDAO, government partners, and commercial AI/ML development teams.

Salary Range: $100,000-115,000

General Description Of Benefits

Required Skills

An autonomous self-starter with a proven track record of delivering complex data solutions independently and unlocking engineering hurdles with minimal supervision

Certifications Preferred At Hire Or Within 6-12 Months

• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA Linux+
• AWS Solutions Architect - Associate
• Network+ or equivalent networking fundamentals certification

Desired Skills

• Python fundamentals, particularly file operations, automation, APIs, JSON, CSV processing, validation, and scripting.
• Bash scripting, proven experience in writing robust Bash scripts to automate data pipelines, configure Linux development environments, and manage GPU-accelerated computing nodes
• SQL fundamentals, including querying, filtering, joins, schemas, databases, and basic data manipulation.
• Linux administration, including command-line navigation, permissions, SSH/SCP, services, logs, storage, mounting file systems, Bash scripting, and user management.
• AWS and cloud storage fundamentals, particularly concepts, storage permissions, logging, and basic monitoring. Interaction with cloud services from the console and command line/programmatically.
• Data management and data governance, including metadata, data inventories, manifests, lineage, checksums, lifecycle management, access controls, and data quality.
• Git/GitLab fundamentals, including repositories, branches, merge requests, issues, version-controlled documentation, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Secure data-transfer methods and tools, including SFTP/SCP, object-storage transfers, APIs, encryption, validation, and large-file transfer concepts.
• CUI and DoD data-handling requirements, emphasizing authorized access, least privilege, auditability, data movement, and proper handling of controlled information.
• Change and configuration management, including development of Change Requests, implementation plans, testing procedures, rollback plans, and closure documentation.
• Basic container concepts, including Docker or Podman, to help the employee understand how AI/ML development teams package and interact with applications and data.

ECS Federal LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis any characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local jurisdiction law.

Everforth ECS is the federal segment of Everforth, a $4B global organization with over 10,000 employees. Our nearly 3,500 professionals deliver advanced technology solutions in data and AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise transformation, serving defense, intelligence, and federal civilian agencies. Our work powers mission-critical outcomes, strengthens technology partnerships, and creates meaningful opportunities for our people. We are defined by a commitment to excellence in delivery, a culture of innovation, and an environment where talent can thrive and grow.

We Value

• Attracting and developing top talent and high-performing teams
• Fostering a culture that is engaging, accountable, and mission-driven

Meet the challenge. Make a difference with Everforth ECS!