Data Engineer (Senior/Expert) with Security Clearance

NS2 Mission; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

NS2 Mission seeks a Senior/Expert Data Engineer to lead the design, development, and optimization of scalable ETL pipelines and cloud-based data platforms in Chantilly, VA. You will collaborate with software engineers, data engineers, and mission stakeholders to deliver production-ready solutions supporting critical objectives.

The role emphasizes ownership of complex data challenges, performance enhancements, and modernization of data capabilities within an Agile environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical field.
• 8–12 years in data or software engineering with senior/expert responsibilities.
• Experience across the ETL lifecycle: design, develop, optimize data pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and maintenance of scalable ETL pipelines.
• Develop Python-based data processing applications for production use.
• Engineer data ingestion, transformation, and integration across platforms.
• Improve pipeline architecture, performance, quality, and reliability.
• Design cloud-based data solutions in AWS (EC2, Lambda, EKS, S3).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet mission requirements.
• Identify root causes and implement long-term stability improvements.
• Drive modernization and automation of data workflows.
• Support testing, deployment, and sustainment of the data platform.
• Establish data engineering best practices for code quality and performance.
• Produce technical docs on system design and data workflows.

Skills

ETL lifecycle experience

Python production-grade

Data modeling

Agile collaboration

Independent problem solving

Data pipeline optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/DE/SE/IS or equivalent

Tools

Apache Airflow

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

CI/CD

Job description

Help turn complex data challenges into scalable solutions that support critical mission objectives. Bring your data engineering expertise to NS2 Mission as a Senior/Expert Data Engineer, supporting our Data Pipeline team in Chantilly, VA, and driving the development and optimization of reliable, scalable data pipelines and cloud-based platforms.

In this role, you will apply your technical expertise to complex data engineering challenges, developing reliable data processing solutions and optimizing workflows across the data lifecycle. You will collaborate with software engineers, fellow data engineers, and mission stakeholders to translate operational requirements into effective, production-ready solutions. Your experience will help drive technical decisions, improve pipeline performance, and support the continued modernization of mission data capabilities.

This is an opportunity for an experienced engineer to take ownership of critical data engineering initiatives while contributing to the performance, reliability, and evolution of mission-focused systems in an Agile development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, enhancement, and maintenance of scalable ETL pipelines and enterprise data workflows.
• Develop and optimize Python-based data processing applications that support complex production requirements.
• Engineer data ingestion, transformation, and integration solutions for structured and unstructured data across multiple platforms.
• Evaluate and improve data pipeline architecture, processing efficiency, data quality, and overall system reliability.
• Design, implement, and sustain cloud-based data engineering solutions within AWS environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and mission stakeholders to define technical approaches and deliver solutions aligned with evolving mission needs.
• Diagnose and resolve complex pipeline issues, identify root causes, and implement long-term improvements to operational stability.
• Drive the modernization, automation, and optimization of data engineering processes and workflows.
• Support and guide testing, deployment, integration, and sustainment activities across the data platform.
• Establish and promote data engineering best practices related to code quality, scalability, maintainability, and performance.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation covering system design, data workflows, and engineering processes.
• Contribute technical expertise during Agile planning, design reviews, and implementation discussions, helping ensure solutions meet performance and mission requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Approximately 8-12 years of experience in data engineering, software engineering, or a related technical field, with consideration for candidates whose experience aligns with Senior through Expert-level responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience across the ETL lifecycle, including the design, development, optimization, and sustainment of data pipelines.
• Strong proficiency in Python for developing and maintaining production-grade data processing applications.
• Hands-on experience designing, implementing, or supporting solutions within AWS environments, including services such as EC2, Lambda, EKS, and S3.
• Proven ability to develop, troubleshoot, and optimize scalable data solutions operating in production environments.
• Strong understanding of data engineering principles, data modeling, performance tuning, and data quality practices.
• Experience collaborating within Agile engineering teams to deliver and sustain complex technical solutions.
• Ability to independently analyze technical challenges, recommend effective solutions, and take ownership of engineering deliverables.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience With Workflow Orchestration And Scheduling Tools Such As Apache Airflow.
• Experience With Containerization And Orchestration Technologies, Including Docker And Kubernetes.
• Familiarity With Infrastructure As Code (IaC) Tools Such As Terraform.
• Experience With CI/CD Pipelines And DevOps Practices Supporting Automated Testing, Deployment, And Sustainment.
• Experience Processing Large Datasets Using Distributed Data Processing Technologies Or Frameworks.
• Experience Improving Existing Data Architectures, Modernizing Legacy Workflows, Or Increasing The Scalability And Resilience Of Data Platforms.

Position Clearance Requirement

TS/SCI with FSP

Salary And Benefits Information

The salary range for this position is $181,993.00 to $234,878.00. The proposed range is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, location, and contractual considerations and may fall outside of the stated range. We offer a great benefits package designed to support you and your family. View our benefits information here: https://sapns2.com/ns2-mission-careers/

We win with inclusion. NS2 Mission’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone - regardless of background - feels included and can run at their best. At NS2 Mission, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world. NS2 Mission is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements.