Databricks SME (Remote)

GovCIO; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Remote; USD 175,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Corporate Discounts

Learning & Development platform

Training, Education and Certification

Referral Bonus Program

Internal Mobility Program

Pet Insurance

Flexible Work Environment

Job summary

GovCIO is seeking a Databricks Subject Matter Expert to support the VA Data Modernization initiative. You will guide data scientists and engineers to deliver production-ready data solutions and drive workspace automation, onboarding support, and user success entirely remotely within the United States.

You will implement linked services, develop PySpark jobs, build Delta Lake-based pipelines, and ensure data quality and security while collaborating across teams to migrate workloads to the cloud.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or a related field (or commensurate experience).
• 12+ years of experience in business analysis, project management, or a similar role.
• Strong experience with Databricks and Azure data services, including workspace administration, catalog creation, linked services, storage mounts, and access configuration.
• Proficiency in ETL/ELT pipeline development, data modeling, and managing structured and unstructured datasets.
• Ability to automate provisioning workflows and infrastructure using scripting or infrastructure‑as‑code tools (Python, PowerShell, Bash, Terraform, ARM, or Bicep).
• Strong troubleshooting and problem solving for diagnosing platform, data access, and pipeline issues.
• Effective communication: documenting processes, creating reusable templates, and onboarding users.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage linked services, mount points, and catalog configuration in Databricks and VA’s data lake.
• Develop and optimize PySpark jobs, notebooks, and workflows in Databricks.
• Build ETL/ELT pipelines using Databricks Lakehouse features.
• Design and implement Spark-based data processing for analytics workloads.
• Optimize Spark jobs for performance, cost, and scalability.
• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and engineers to deliver production-ready data solutions.
• Ensure data quality, governance, and security best practices.
• Lead migration guidance and self-service resources to accelerate platform adoption.

Skills

Databricks

Azure data services

Workspace administration

ETL/ELT pipelines

Python

PowerShell

Bash

Terraform

ARM

Bicep

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or related field

Tools

Databricks

Azure

Job description

United States

Suitability/Public Trust

Fully remote

Information Technology

Overview

GovCIO is hiring a Databricks SME to support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Data Modernization initiative. In this role, the Databricks SME will guide data scientists, analysts, infrastructure specialists and business SME to deliver production-ready data solutions. This position focuses on workspace automation, onboarding support, data platform usability, infrastructure provisioning, and white‑glove customer success to ensure VA users can rapidly adopt and leverage modern data tools. This position is fully remote within the United States.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage linked services, mount points, and catalog configuration within Databricks and VA’s VHA Data Lake.

• Develop and optimize PySpark (Python/Scala) jobs, notebooks, and workflows in Databricks.

• Build ETL/ELT pipelines using Azure Databricks Lakehouse features.

• Design and implement Spark-based data processing for analytics workloads.

• Optimize Databricks Spark jobs for performance, cost, and scalability (partitioning, caching, tuning, etc.).

• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, infrastructure specialists and business SME to deliver production-ready data solutions.

• Experience with Delta Lake and Synapse.

• Ensure data quality, governance, and security best practices.

• Act as subject matter experts to the workgroups from start to finish in their migration to the cloud

• Help workgroups set up their resources and migrate their work loads

• Support automated data warehouse access provisioning for eligible users, ensuring seamless integration with VA Cloud Data Warehouse (CDW) systems.

• Provide white‑glove customer success services, including onboarding sessions, office hours, rapid async support, and creation of reusable templates, guides, and best‑practice documentation.

• Collaborate with Customer Success, Business Analysts, and Platform Engineering teams to refine intake processes, improve user satisfaction, and standardize workspace deployment.

• Develop migration guidance and self‑service resources to accelerate platform adoption and reduce user friction when transitioning from legacy data systems.

• Troubleshoot user issues related to data access, workspace configuration, pipelines, cataloging, or permissions, escalating to engineering teams when needed.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or a related field. (or commensurate experience)

• 12+ years of experience in business analysis, project management, or a similar role.

• Strong experience with Databricks and Azure data services, including workspace administration, catalog creation, linked services, storage mounts, and access configuration.

• Proficiency in data engineering fundamentals such as ETL/ELT pipeline development, data modeling, and managing structured and unstructured datasets.

• Ability to automate provisioning workflows and infrastructure using scripting or infrastructure‑as‑code tools (Python, PowerShell, Bash, Terraform, ARM, or Bicep).

• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving abilities for diagnosing platform, data access, and pipeline issues and collaborating across teams for resolution.

• Effective communication skills with the ability to document technical processes, create reusable templates, and support users through onboarding, office hours, and white‑glove assistance.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with Data Analysis, Data Curation, Data Visualization (PowerBi), Python, Azure Synapse/Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage, SQL Server.

• Certifications: Azure Databricks and Spark for Data Engineers, PySpark and SQL, Microsoft Azure Cert, SQL, SQLlite, Python Pandas, Sybase/SAP PowerDesigner, Databricks DAB, Databricks Unity Catalog, and Databricks lakflow pipelines

• Exposure to Starburst, PowerBI, SSRS, SSIS and Unity Catalog

• Familiarity with modern data lakehouse architectures, distributed data systems, and cloud data engineering practices.

• Strong understanding of Azure data services, including storage, compute, identity and access management, and DevOps workflows.

• Experience with workflow automation, CI/CD pipelines, or infrastructure‑as‑code (e.g., Terraform, ARM, Bicep).

• Background in user‑facing or customer‑success‑adjacent work such as onboarding, training, communications, or technical support.

• Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements and develop scalable solutions that improve platform efficiency.

• Knowledge of enterprise data systems common to healthcare or federal environments, especially data governance and data‑security considerations.

• Experience with tools such as Jira, ServiceNow, or SharePoint for intake, change management, and support processes.

Clearance Required

• Ability to obtain and maintain a suitability/Public Trust

Posted Salary Range

USD $175,000.00 - USD $195,000.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.

But we can’t do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?

What You Can Expect

Interview & Hiring Process

If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:

• During the Interview Process

• Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team

• Camera must be on

• A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview

• During the Hiring Process

• Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening

• Background check, to include:

• Criminal history (past 7 years)

• Verification of your highest level of education

• Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application

Employee Perks

At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well‑being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Corporate Discounts

• Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content

• Training, Education and Certification Assistance*

• Referral Bonus Program

• Internal Mobility Program

• Pet Insurance

• Flexible Work Environment

*Available to full‑time employees

Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.

Posted Pay Range

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at‑will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.