Data Engineer

Synectics for Management Decisions Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Synectics for Management Decisions Inc. is seeking a Data Engineer to design, build, and optimize AWS-based ETL pipelines for a federal government client.

The role supports a Medallion (Bronze–Silver–Gold) architecture and involves creating data models, validation frameworks, and documentation for regulated stakeholders. Hybrid options are available in the Washington, DC area; prior federal contracting experience is preferred and the position requires eligibility for government work.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing and maintaining AWS-based data pipelines in a federal context.
• Experience with serverless, event-driven ETL/ELT workflows and medallion/lakehouse designs.
• Ability to produce data models, ERDs, and data dictionaries for regulated stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and deploy ETL pipelines on AWS.
• Develop data models, schemas, and quality checks for analytics.
• Document pipelines with ERDs and data dictionaries.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to plan dataset prioritization and phased deployment.
• Ensure testing across development, staging, and production.
• Maintain data freshness and pipeline reliability against defined performance standards.
• Prepare technical documentation for government/regulatory audiences.

Skills

Python

SQL

PySpark

Pandas

Tools

AWS Glue

AWS Lambda

AWS Step Functions

S3

Terraform

Great Expectations

Job description

Position Summary

We're looking for a Data Engineer to design, build, and optimize ETL pipelines that ingest and transform priority datasets into an enterprise data platform, using AWS-native services within a Medallion (Bronze–Silver–Gold) architecture, for a federal government client. Job location is the Washington, DC Metro Area. Hybrid options can be considered. Position is contingent upon contract award.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and deploy ETL pipelines using AWS-native services or approved third-party tools hosted on AWS


• Develop supporting data models, schemas, validation frameworks, and database structures; enhance models to support expanded analytics and reporting


• Implement scalable data validation and quality checks, including error handling and lineage capture


• Produce complete technical documentation including ERDs, data dictionaries, and pipeline specifications


• Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize datasets, define sequencing, and identify phased deployment options


• Support thorough testing across development, staging, and production environments


• Meet defined performance standards for pipeline reliability, data-validation pass rates, and data freshness

Required Qualifications

• 3–7 years designing and maintaining AWS-based data pipelines (Glue, Lambda, Step Functions, S3)


• Experience building serverless, event-driven ETL/ELT workflows and Medallion/Lakehouse designs


• Proficiency in Python, SQL, PySpark, Pandas, or similar data processing frameworks


• Experience with data validation tools (e.g., Great Expectations), data catalogs (AWS Glue, Lake Formation), CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform)


• Experience producing technical documentation (ERDs, data dictionaries, lineage diagrams) for government or regulated stakeholders

Preferred Experience

• Experience with federal government data projects.

Preferred Certifications

• AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate


• AWS Certified Developer – Associate


• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to pass a federal background investigation prior to starting work and maintain eligibility throughout the engagement.


• Salary range for this position is $120,000.00 - $130,000.00


• Work Authorization: At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas or other employment-based visa petitions for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Why Join Us?

Join a collaborative team supporting high-impact federal programs that incorporate innovative technology solutions. You'll have the opportunity to lead complex modernization initiatives, work alongside talented technical professionals, and help shape the future of government IT and data management.

Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.