Data Engineer - SME

Dark Wolf; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Dark Wolf is seeking a Data Engineer - SME to architect and lead enterprise-wide data platform initiatives in Chantilly/Herndon, VA. The role requires establishing high-assurance data topologies, governing data mesh, and advising government stakeholders on mission-critical data strategies.

You will set the enterprise data architecture, drive security, multi-cloud deployments, and interface directly with agency leadership to ensure data capabilities meet critical objectives.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of data engineering experience.
• Clearance: US Citizen with active TS/SCI and Full-Scope Polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical field; Master’s preferred.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead end-to-end enterprise-scale data platforms and data mesh topologies.
• Serve as principal technical authority on distributed data systems and lakehouse architectures.
• Enforce enterprise-wide data security standards and zero-trust governance.
• Set strategic roadmap for multi-cloud, hybrid, and air-gapped deployments.
• Engage agency leadership and stakeholders to align data capabilities with mission objectives.

Skills

Data platform architecture

Data security & zero-trust

Cloud & multi-cloud

Python/Scala/C/C++

Kubernetes / containerization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Kubernetes

Security tooling

Python

Job description

Dark Wolf constructs and deploys data management and analytics solutions for the defense and intelligence communities. We're proud to boast a world-class engineering team that thrives on rolling up their sleeves to solve your mission's biggest challenges.

Dark Wolf is seeking a Data Engineer - Subject Matter Expert (SME) to architect, lead, and execute enterprise-wide data platform initiatives. As the principal technical authority, you will set the enterprise data architecture strategy, design high-assurance data topologies for classified enclaves, govern data mesh architectures, and advise government stakeholders on mission-critical data strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and lead the end-to-end implementation of enterprise-scale, high-assurance data platforms and data mesh topologies.
• Serve as the principal technical authority on distributed data systems, lakehouse architectures, and real-time analytical capabilities.
• Mandate enterprise-wide data security standards, data-at-rest/in-transit encryption protocols, and zero-trust data governance.
• Set the strategic roadmap for multi-cloud, hybrid, and air-gapped data deployment methodologies.
• Interface directly with agency leadership and customer executive stakeholders to align data capabilities with mission objectives.

Qualifications

• Clearance: Must be a US Citizen holding an active TS/SCI security clearance with an active Full-Scope Polygraph.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field (Master's degree preferred).
• Experience: 15+ years of data engineering experience.

SME Technical Competencies

• Data Processing Frameworks: Enterprise architecture, framework evaluation, and platform strategy across processing systems.
• Database Systems: Architecting petabyte-scale lakehouse infrastructure, distributed storage optimization, and cross-region replication.
• Data Modeling: Strategic enterprise data domain modeling, enterprise ontology design, and schema evolution governance.
• Programming & Scripting: Multi-language mastery (Python, Scala, C++, Go) for low-level platform extension and memory-level engine optimization.
• Containerization: Enterprise multi-cluster Kubernetes strategy, zero-trust container architecture, and data infrastructure scheduling.
• Agile Frameworks: Strategic Agile transformation, scaled program delivery (SAFe), and technical governance.
• Multi-Cloud Architecture: Hybrid, multi-cloud, and air-gapped enterprise data strategy and infrastructure execution.
• Security Scanning Tooling: Enterprise DevSecOps authority, security compliance posture, and risk mitigation strategies.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Kubernetes Certified Administrator (CKA).
• Deep understanding of high-assurance systems, zero-trust data governance, and national security data integration challenges.

Position Clearance Requirement

US Citizenship with an active TS/SCI security clearance with Full-Scope Polygraph

Location:

Chantilly/Herndon, VA.

Target Salary Range:

$185,000.00 – $240,000.00+ (Commensurate with specialized expertise and technical skillset).

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

We are strictly looking for direct, full-time W2 employees. We do not engage with third-party staffing agencies, C2C, or 1099 independent contractors for this role.