Elastic Data Engineer

VAE, Inc.; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

VAE, Inc. seeks an experienced Elastic Data Engineer to design, configure, and administer Elastic-based data pipelines for the C5ISR program, focusing on ingest architecture, schema standardization, and stream buffering in a mission-critical environment.

You will work across Linux/Windows systems, implement ECS standards, manage Kafka buffering, monitor throughput, and document architectures and procedures to support secure, high-throughput data flow. Top Secret clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance.
• Hands-on experience with ECS and Elastic Stack components.
• Strong ETL domain knowledge and experience building Logstash pipelines.
• Experience using Kafka as a data buffering layer.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Elastic Stack systems for data ingestion, storage, and search.
• Design and maintain Logstash configurations and Elastic ingest pipelines for ETL workflows.
• Enforce data normalization standards using ECS.
• Configure and manage Kafka as a data buffer between sources and ingestion.
• Monitor pipeline health, troubleshoot dataflow issues, and optimize throughput.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and data stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable ingest solutions.
• Perform system hardening, patching, and Linux/Windows admin tasks related to Elastic.
• Document pipeline architecture, mappings, and procedures.

Skills

ETL domain knowledge

System administration

Data ingestion

Elastic ECS

Logstash configurations

Tools

Logstash

Kafka

Elasticsearch

Kibana

Beats

Job description

OVERVIEW:

VAE, Inc. is a full service IT Infrastructure Solutions Company focused on building, securing and supporting our clients’ mission critical enterprises. We provide a distinctive array of design, integration and implementation services as well as fully managed service offerings. VAE is at the forefront of leveraging multi-tenant capable technologies and shared IT services to create secure, reliable and cost-effective end-to-end services and solutions. We deliver exceptional infrastructure solutions with extremely talented employees using a client-focused partnering approach.

Job Description:

VAE, Inc. is seeking an experienced Elastic Data Engineer to support the C5ISR program. This role is responsible for the design, configuration, and administration of Elastic-based data pipelines, with an emphasis on ingest architecture, schema standardization, and stream buffering. The successful candidate will work across systems administration and ETL domains to ensure reliable, high-throughput data flow supporting mission systems.

JOB TYPE:

Full-time

LOCATION:

VA US (Primary)

JOB DESCRIPTION:

VAE, Inc. is seeking an experienced Elastic Data Engineer to support the C5ISR program. This role is responsible for the design, configuration, and administration of Elastic-based data pipelines, with an emphasis on ingest architecture, schema standardization, and stream buffering. The successful candidate will work across systems administration and ETL domains to ensure reliable, high-throughput data flow supporting mission systems.

• Administer and maintain Elastic Stack systems supporting data ingestion, storage, and search capabilities.
• Design, build, and maintain Logstash configurations and Elastic ingest pipelines to support ETL workflows.
• Implement and enforce data normalization standards using the Elastic Common Schema (ECS).
• Configure and manage Kafka as a data buffering layer between upstream data sources and downstream Elastic ingestion.
• Monitor pipeline health, troubleshoot data flow issues, and optimize throughput and reliability.
• Collaborate with systems engineers and data stakeholders to translate data source requirements into scalable ingest solutions.
• Support system hardening, patching, and general Linux/Windows systems administration tasks related to the Elastic environment.
• Document pipeline architecture, schema mappings, and operational procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active Top Secret clearance.
• Demonstrated systems administration experience (Linux and/or Windows server environments).
• Hands-on experience with the Elastic Common Schema (ECS).
• Strong ETL domain knowledge, including hands-on experience building Logstash configurations and Elastic ingest pipelines.
• Experience with Kafka, particularly in its use as a data buffer between data sources and downstream processing/ingestion.
• DoD 8570 baseline certification (e.g., Security+ or equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DoD or federal data engineering programs.
• Familiarity with Elastic Stack components beyond ingest (Kibana, Elasticsearch cluster management, Beats).
• Scripting experience (Python, Bash, or similar) for pipeline automation.
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code or configuration management tools.

CLEARANCE LEVEL:

Top Secret

CERTIFICATIONS:

8570

Equal Opportunity Employer:

VAE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.