Data Engineer (FedD024)

Data Co Lab X; United States; Remote; USD 149,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401k Retirement Plan

Company Stock Options

Home Office Budget

Paid Federal Holidays

Job summary

Defense Unicorns is hiring a Senior Data Engineer to design and operate secure data workflows across AWS and on-prem environments. You will manage Kafka/Redpanda pipelines on Kubernetes, focusing on scalability, security, and compliance with DoD standards.

We require at least five years of production data engineering experience, US citizenship, and the ability to obtain a Secret-level DoD clearance. This is a remote role open to the USA.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of production data pipelines, databases, and data exchange services on Kubernetes.
• Experience deploying Kafka/Redpanda data streaming solutions on Kubernetes.
• Experience building data pipelines from scratch handling large data volumes.
• Knowledge of containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain Secret-level DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and operate data workflows, pipelines, and ETL/ELT for secure data exchange.
• Ensure reliability, scalability, and maintainability of data layer systems with backup/recovery strategies.
• Architect, deploy, and operate Kafka/Redpanda/Kinesis on Kubernetes with declarative configs.
• Collaborate with platform and cybersecurity teams to meet DoD and industry requirements.

Skills

Data engineering

ETL/ELT

Data pipelines

Kafka

Redpanda

Kubernetes

AWS

Terraform

Docker

Cloud security

Tools

Kafka

Redpanda

Kubernetes

Terraform

Docker

AWS

Job description

Defense Unicorns# Data Engineer (FedD024)Review the role, location requirements, compensation details, and application process before deciding whether this opportunity fits your next career move.Apply for this job View companyRemote from: USASalary: USD 148,750–201,250 / yrDepartment: Data Science & AnalyticsEmployment: Full TimeExperience: Open levelPublished: 20 Oct 2026Apply before: 20 Nov 2026Listing views: 642Application actions: 31Application toolkit## Make your next move.Prepare your resume, explore your fit, and draft a cover letter for this opportunity.AI Summary## The role, at a glance.This senior Data Engineer role builds and operates secure, scalable data workflows, pipelines, databases, and exchange services across AWS and on-premises environments. The work centers on Kubernetes-based streaming platforms such as Kafka, Redpanda, and Kinesis, with infrastructure automation through Terraform and strong configuration, security, and performance practices. The engineer will partner with platform and cybersecurity specialists to protect sensitive data and meet DoD and industry compliance requirements. Candidates need at least five years of production data-engineering experience, U.S. citizenship, and the ability to obtain and retain a Secret-level DoD clearance.## Role DNAA quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.### Job Complexity5/5EasyHard### Pace & Pressure4/5RelaxedFast-paced### Autonomy Level4/5GuidedFull ownership### Communication Load4/5IndependentCollaborative**AI insight**The role combines advanced data engineering, Kubernetes operations, cloud infrastructure, streaming systems, security, and regulated defense requirements. It also requires independently designing reliable production systems while collaborating across platform and cybersecurity teams.## Salary analysisEstimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.Estimated job median (per year)**$175,000**US market range (period not specified)**$135k–$210k****AI insight**Salary comparison is unavailable: the pay periods are unspecified or differ, or salary amounts are unavailable. Market figures are AI estimates. Regenerate the analysis to obtain a market estimate with an explicit period.## Core skillsSkills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.Data EngineeringETL/ELTData PipelinesApache KafkaRedpandaKubernetesAWSTerraformDockerCloud Security**Sample interview questions**Opportunity details## About this role.### **EMPLOYER IS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE U.S. CITIZENSHIP.**### **Responsibilities:*** Designing data workflows, pipelines, and pathways to support ETL/ELT, while ensuring data-quality and exchange of sensitive information across AWS cloud and on-prem environments.* Implementing systems engineering principles to ensure the reliability, scalability, and maintainability of data layer systems, including backup and recovery strategies* Architecting, deploying, and operating data streaming technologies (Kafka, Redpanda, Kinesis, etc ) on Kubernetes with an emphasis on declarative definitions to reduce complexity in day-2 operations* Working with a platform team to implement best practices for configuration management, security, and performance optimization within Kubernetes and AWS environments* Working with a platform team to automate infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and scaling using tools such as Terraform working with cybersecurity SMEs to incorporate best practices and techniques to defend our data layer against potential threats* Ensuring that our data layer systems are compliant with industry and DoD regulations, standards, and best-practices* Staying up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies related to Kubernetes, containerization, and data engineering**Travel Expectations/Requirements: 6-10 times per year****The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise.****\\*****Preferred Experience and Qualifications:*** Demonstrated experience (minimum 5 years) in building and maintaining production data pipelines, databases, and data exchange services on Kubernetes Experience in designing, deploying, and operating Kafka / Redpanda data streaming solutions on Kubernetes* Experience in creating data pipelines from scratch with the ability to process data in large volumes and manage data stores* Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and container orchestration systems like Kubernetes* Knowledge of systems engineering principles to ensure the reliability, scalability, and maintainability of data layer systems Familiarity with API Security, Container Security, AWS Cloud Security Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and best practices for securing data layer systems* Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical team members* The selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background check (“CBI”) and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance* Experience with machine learning and generative AI modelsFull compensation packages are based on candidate experience. Compensation ranges are established using national benchmarking data and apply across all geographic locations within the United States.Remote – USA$148,750—$201,250 USD### Who We AreDefense Unicorns delivers mission value by streamlining software delivery so our customers can focus on the most important challenges. We share a vision of freedom and security for the advancement of progress and innovation. Our commitment to this vision, and to our mission-driven customers, means a commitment to speed, user experience and optionality, without compromising security. Our team is composed of innovators, software engineers, and veterans with decades of experience delivering technology programs across the federal market.### What We DoWe create and deliver secure solutions for continuous software integration and delivery. Defense Unicorns consolidates the best practices for security pipelines, testing, and deployment automation in order to meet the high security requirements valued by mission owners. Our solutions are agnostic by design and we believe that growing a robust ecosystem of secure, cloud-native software solutions can help enterprise customers inside and outside the federal market buy and integrate software more easily.### Who We ServeDefense Unicorns’ customers are mission-focused leaders across public and private enterprises. We proudly support defense and civil agencies across the U.S. government and we work closely with the creators of leading-edge software solutions to deliver value to the mission-owner by improving the security and consumability of commercial software products.### **What We Work On*** Kubernetes* Cloud Environments (AWS/GCP and Azure)* Infrastructure-as-code (like Terraform/Pulumi)* Continuous Delivery and automation tooling* GitOps* Containers* CNCF projects and open source products and packages* Helm/Kustomize-Value Stream Mapping* Building and improving security delivery* Building Kubernetes and cloud native applications### **Benefits Our Unicorns Enjoy**### Health:* Medical/Dental/Vision* Premiums are 100% Company Paid* Health Savings Account* Life Insurance* Disability Insurance### Financial:* 401k Retirement Plan* Company Stock Options* Home Office Budget### Leave:* We offer all full-time Unicorns Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays, one week for Thanksgiving, and two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s* Paid Parental Leave### Learning:* Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions* Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)*Don’t have all the preferred experience or qualifications? Studies show that underrepresented groups like women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every requirement listed.**At Defense Unicorns, we’re committed to diversity. If you’re enthusiastic about the role but don’t match every criteria, we encourage you to apply. You could be the perfect fit for this or another role! Defense Unicorns is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.***CCPA DISCLOSURE*** ### Upload your resume now + To unlock remote work opportunities and be discovered by global employers.Next step## Apply now.Follow the employer’s application method and review Jobicy’s safety guidance before sharing personal information.### Continue on the employer websiteProtect your personal information and never pay to secure an interview or job offer. .