Data Engineer with Security Clearance

Cornerstone Defense LLC; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Defense LLC in Tysons Corner, VA is seeking a Sr. Data Engineer to design, build, and operate scalable data pipelines for secure data exchanges.

The role requires TS/SCI with polygraph and hands-on AWS, IaC, and data tooling experience to enable secure data brokering across multiple domains.

You will work with cross-functional teams to deliver robust pipelines, provide production support, and ensure RMF-aligned security controls throughout the data lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of proven data engineering experience.
• Experience designing and deploying data pipelines on AWS.
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation or Ansible).
• Understanding of RMF security principles and implementing controls in cloud environments.
• Strong scripting/programming skills in Go, Python and Bash.
• Experience with data pipeline tools such as NiFi, Hadoop, HDFS and Kafka; Cloudera Data Platform preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operationalize data pipelines and supporting cloud infrastructure.
• Collaborate with external data producers/consumers via interfaces like REST APIs and S3.
• Deploy Python-native data pipelines and perform data engineering tasks for data brokering.
• Provide Tier 2/3 troubleshooting and incident resolution for data pipelines in Production.

Skills

Data engineering

AWS

Go

Python

Bash

NiFi

Hadoop

HDFS

Kafka

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Ansible

Job description

Data Engineer Tysons Corner, VA Active TS/SCI with Polygraph Company Overview: Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation's toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don't look any further than Cornerstone Defense. Job Responsibilities: As a Sr. Data Engineer, you'll work with team members to build, deploy, and operate data pipelines and data engineering components to enable data brokering and exchange capabilities across a diverse range of producers and consumers. In this role, you will be responsible for building robust, scalable data pipelines while working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration, optimized performance, and efficient delivery of solutions.

• Work with team members to operationalize data pipelines and supporting cloud infrastructure
• Collaborate with external data producers and consumers to obtain and provide data through interfaces such as REST APIs and S3
• Provide day-to-day support of deploying Python-native data pipelines and performing data engineering tasks to enable data brokering and exchange capabilities
• Provide Tier 2/3 troubleshooting and incident resolution support for data pipelines in Production Required Skills:
• 4+ years of proven experience in data engineering, with expertise in designing, developing, and maintaining data ingestion, transformation, and loading pipelines and components
• Demonstrated experience in designing and deploying data pipelines leveraging AWS cloud infrastructure across multiple classification domains (e.g., IL5 to IL6+)
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools, including Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible, to automate deployment of data pipeline cloud infrastructure
• Understanding of RMF security principles and hands‑on experience implementing security controls for data pipelines in cloud environments
• Strong scripting and programming skills in languages such as Go, Python, and Bash
• Experience with data pipeline tools and technologies such as Nifi, Hadoop, HDFS, and Kafka. Experience implementing data pipelines in the Cloudera Data Platform environment is highly preferred.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts Company Benefits: Cornerstone Defense offers a comprehensive list of benefits, designed to give employees and their families several options to choose from when selecting benefits that best fit their needs. These offerings include not only a full suite of the traditional Medical/Dental/Vision insurances, but also a number of other benefits and perks to include, but not limited to: A 401(K) plan with a company match, tuition and training assistances, paid vacation/leave, a fitness reimbursement program, college savings plan, commuter benefits, financial advisory services, flex spending accounts, health savings accounts, STD/LTD coverage, life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance programs, life financial planning assistance, and legal resources.