Data Engineer (Client Server) - Senior

Cherokee Federal; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K benefits

Job summary

Cherokee Federal is looking for an experienced Data Engineer to support defense analytical requirements in Reston, VA. This full-time position involves designing and implementing data management systems and optimizing data architectures.

With a minimum of 12 years of related experience and a Master's Degree preferred, candidates must possess an active TS/Sensitive Compartmental Information clearance and demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaborate with IC members.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of related experience with recent experience preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of labor category activities for mission requirements.
• Ability to work independently and communicate complex information.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data management systems for intelligence needs.
• Optimize data throughput and query performance.
• Collaborate with data users to create optimal data architectures.

Skills

Data management systems

Database technologies (e.g. SQL, NoSQL)

Data architecture

ETL processes

Collaboration and communication

Education

Master’s Degree in a related field

Job description

This position requires an active TS/Sensitive Compartmental Information (SCI) clearance with the ability to obtain a Counterintelligence polygraph.

A government contract requires that this position be restricted to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. You must provide documentation that you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to qualify.

Cherokee Strategic Edge is seeking a Data Engineer to support Defense analytical requirements with enhanced scientific research, and contribute to the DIE’s integrated all-source analysis of foreign defense capabilities for warfighters, Defense planners and policymakers.

Pay commensurate with experience.

Full time benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, and other possible benefits as provided. Benefits are subject to change with or without notice.

• Designs, implements, and operates data management systems for intelligence needs.
• Designs how data will be stored, accessed, used, integrated, and managed by different data regimes and digital systems.
• Works with data users to determine, create, and populate optimal data architectures, structures, and systems.
• Plans, designs, and optimizes data throughput and query performance.
• Participates in the selection of backend database technologies (e.g. SQL, NoSQL, HPC, etc.), their configuration and utilization, and the optimization of the full data pipeline infrastructure to support the actual content, volume, ETL, and periodicity of data to provide support for intended queries and analysis.
• Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.

Minimum of 12 years of related experience with at least a portion of the experience within the last 2 years preferred.

Master’s Degree in a related field preferred.

In‑depth knowledge and understanding of the labor category activities required to meet mission requirements.

Ability to work independently and with minimal oversight.

Demonstrates ability to communicate understanding from information that may be incomplete, indirect, highly complex, seemingly unrelated, and/or technically advanced.

Demonstrates ability to collaborate and work with other IC members on information sharing, driving collection, and addressing analytic disputes and conflict resolution.

Demonstrates ability to develop concise, insightful, and comprehensive products for defense intelligence.

Demonstrates ability to guide teams in researching multifaceted or critical problems.

Must pass pre‑employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Many of our job openings require access to government buildings or military installations. Candidates must pass pre‑employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

As required by our governmental client, this position requires being a U.S. Citizen and an active TS/Sensitive Compartmental Information (SCI) clearance.

Job Info

• Job Identification 42734
• Job Category Information Technology Services
• Posting Date 06/09/2026, 07:15 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Reston, VA, United States (On‑site)