Data Engineer/Data Project Lead

Kids for the Future; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with employer match

Flexible time off

Professional development

Job summary

VPD Government Solutions seeks a senior Data Engineer / Data Project Lead to design, implement, and improve data management solutions for the Office of Head Start CSIP. You will lead data pipelines, workflows, APIs, and cloud-based platforms, guiding technical staff from planning through deployment.

The role demands 10+ years of data-focused experience, strong leadership, and a track record of delivering complex projects on time.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in data engineering and program leadership.
• Minimum 3 years of progressive supervisory experience.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and manage complex data projects.
• Strong coaching and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in database design, ETL, and data warehousing.
• Experience with API development and integration.
• Knowledge of data governance and security.
• Experience with AI in data pipelines preferred.
• Federal information systems experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for contract data engineering and data management activities.
• Plan, execute, monitor, and deliver data projects successfully.
• Supervise Data Analysts, Visualization Specialists, and Support staff.
• Develop and maintain enterprise data pipelines, ETL processes, APIs, and automated workflows.
• Maintain integrations between federal systems (HSES, GrantSolutions, AMS, etc.).
• Design and maintain databases, data warehouses, and cloud-based solutions.
• Ensure data quality, governance, validation, documentation, and security.
• Develop dashboards, metrics, and reporting solutions.
• Support business process improvement through technology modernization.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, coaching, and quality oversight.
• Support AI-enabled solutions in line with federal policy.
• Ensure compliance with HHS, ACF, and contract requirements.

Skills

SQL

Python

ETL

APIs

Data governance

Leadership

Communication

Project management

DevOps

AI in data pipelines

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science

Tools

AWS

Azure

ETL tools

Smartsheet

HSES

GrantSolutions

Job description

• Location 1621 S Hayes St Apt A,Arlington, VA, 22202-5558,United States
• Base Pay $105,000.00 - $130,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree

Description

The Data Engineer / Data Project Lead provides technical leadership for the design, development, implementation, integration, and continuous improvement of data management solutions supporting the Office of Head Start (OHS) National Customer Service Improvement Project (CSIP). This position leads the development and maintenance of data pipelines, workflow automation, APIs, and cloud-based data solutions supporting the administration of Head Start grants. The Data Engineer / Data Project Lead oversees technical staff, manages data projects from planning through implementation, promotes data governance and quality, and delivers innovative data-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for all contract data engineering and data management activities.
• Lead planning, execution, monitoring, and successful delivery of data projects.
• Supervise Data Analysts, Data Visualization Specialists, Data Management Specialists, and Data Entry Support Specialists.
• Develop, implement, and maintain enterprise data pipelines, APIs, ETL processes, and automated workflows.
• Maintain integrations between HSES, GrantSolutions, AMS, TTA Hub, SmartFlow, and other Federal systems.
• Design and maintain databases, data warehouses, cloud-based solutions, and workflow automation.
• Ensure data quality, governance, validation, documentation, and security.
• Develop dashboards, performance metrics, and reporting solutions.
• Support business process improvement initiatives through technology modernization.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, coaching, and quality oversight.
• Support AI-enabled solutions consistent with Federal policy.
• Ensure compliance with HHS, ACF, OHS, and contract requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant and progressive post-baccalaureate professional experience directly related to the task activities,
• A minimum of 3 years of progressive supervisory experience
• Demonstrated proficiency/experience in successfully developing, implementing and managing/improving complex, high-profile, multi-faceted data projects
• Demonstrated ability to coach team members effectively
• Demonstrated proficiency to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated proficiency in database design, ETL processes, data warehousing
• SQL and programming language proficiency
• API development and integration
• Data governance and security knowledge
• Application of AI in data pipelines preferred
• Federal information systems experience preferred
• Proven ability to address team member and client complaints and resolve problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting OHS or ACF.
• Experience with HSES, AMS, GrantSolutions, and Smartsheet integrations.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, APIs, enterprise data pipelines, and workflow automation.
• Experience with Agile software development, DevOps, AI-assisted data engineering, and Federal cloud environments.
• At least 1 year of experience in early childhood education and/or Head Start programs highly preferred

Education and Experience

At least a Bachelor's in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or related field from an accredited university or college.

Project management: Proven experience with Agile methodologies and project management software with certs preferred in Agile/Scrum or similar

Primary technical: SQL, Python, ETL tools, API development

Summary

Why work for VPD?

• VPD is proud to be a certified Great Place to Work in 2022-2023 & 2025 and named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for 2025! See more about what our employees think! Working at VPD Government Solutions | Great Place to Work®
• Robust employee benefits package beginning on 1st of the month following hire date including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) with 5% employer matching
• Flexible time off program
• Opportunities for professional development
• Employee-centric work culture including company sponsored events, happy hours, and team-building opportunities, frequent communications/information sharing from Leadership, supportive and positive teamwork environment, open door policy, etc.

VPD is Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• VPD Uses E-Verify - Right to Work Poster

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

• EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
• EEO is the Law - Federal Contractors/Subcontractors
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act

Additional Information

• Remote, Hybrid, or Onsite? Hybrid
• What type of citizenship does your contract require? U.S. Citizen