External Job Posting Title Data Engineer/ISSE

Peraton; Chantilly, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 176,000 - 282,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton seeks a Data Engineering Specialist with ISSE experience to design secure cloud and data solutions, focusing on ETL, AI/ML data workflows, and Neo4j graph technologies. You will develop security documentation, integrate secure design, and collaborate across engineering teams.

The role requires strong coding skills in Cypher, Python, Java, or JavaScript, and experience in high-security environments. Expect a mission-focused, cross-disciplinary team and agile practices.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with polygraph
• 8+ years with BS/BA; 6+ with MS/MA; 3+ with PhD; additional four years may be considered in lieu of degree
• Experience designing, securing, and operating data flow solutions in high-security environments
• Strong ISSE background including A&A/ATO, security architecture, vulnerability analysis, accreditation documentation, and continuous monitoring requirements
• Hands-on experience with ETL pipelines, data modeling, activity modeling, and AI/ML-supportive data engineering
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Cypher, Python, Java, JavaScript)
• Experience with graphing database technologies
• Demonstrated experience cleaning, modeling, and visualizing medium-to-large datasets
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Customer-specific experience supporting mission systems or classified programs

Responsibilities

• Lead ISSE activities across the full system lifecycle with security architecture development
• Develop and maintain A&A/ATO documentation including SSPs and POA&Ms
• Conduct routine security scans, vulnerability assessments, and remediation workflows for cloud and on-prem systems
• Integrate security-by-design into system architectures, data flows, ETL pipelines, and mission workflows
• Collaborate with system engineers, developers, and mission customers to align solutions with accreditation requirements
• Design, build, and optimize ETL pipelines for AI/ML/LLM projects and large-scale analytics
• Prepare data modeling, internal control analyses, cost estimates, and timeline assessments
• Query, preprocess, and visualize medium-to-large datasets using modern analytic methods
• Develop Neo4j graph database schemas and Cypher queries
• Create secure software components in Cypher, Python, Java, or JavaScript
• Participate in Agile planning, CI/CD processes, and documentation of engineering decisions

Skills

Cypher

Python

Java

JavaScript

Neo4j

ETL pipelines

ISSE

Education

BS/BA

MS/MA

PhD

Tools

Neo4j

Cypher

Job description

Responsibilities

OverviewWe are seeking a highly skilled Data Engineering Specialist with strong Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) experience to design, secure, and optimize mission-critical cloud and data solutions. This role blends system engineering, secure cloud architecture, advanced analytics, ETL/AI‑ML data engineering, virtualization technologies, and modern development practices. The ideal candidate has experience operating in classified AWS environments, developing with Cypher/Python/Java/JavaScript, and working with Neo4j graph technologies, while communicating complex concepts effectively to diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Information Systems Security Engineering (ISSE)

• Lead and execute ISSE activities across the full system lifecycle, including security architecture development, security control selection/implementation, and ensuring compliance with NIST and customer‑specific security requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and update A&A/ATO documentation including SSPs, POA&Ms, test procedures, compliance evidence, and continuous monitoring artifacts.
• Conduct routine system security scans, vulnerability assessments, patch/update actions, and remediation workflows for cloud and on‑premises systems.
• Integrate security-by-design principles into system architectures, data flows, ETL pipelines, and mission workflows.
• Partner with system engineers, developers, and mission customers to align technical solutions with accreditation requirements, classification constraints, and operational risk considerations.

Data Engineering

• Design, build, and optimize ETL pipelines, including data flows supporting AI/ML/LLM projects and large-scale analytics.
• Perform functional and technical analysis, internal control and risk analysis, cost estimation, timeline assessments, and trade studies supporting mission solutions.
• Apply system engineering disciplines and concepts of operations across cross‑organizational environments, ensuring secure and scalable system design.
• Clean, preprocess, analyze, and visualize medium‑to‑large datasets using modern analytic and statistical methods.
• Build and optimize Neo4j graph database solutions including schema design, relationship modeling, and efficient Cypher query development.
• Develop software components in Cypher, Python, Java, or JavaScript following secure development practices.
• Collaborate within Agile development frameworks and contribute to iterative planning cycles, sprint activities, and CI/CD processes.
• Maintain documentation for datasets, queries, security artifacts, engineering decisions, and developed software components.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with relevant polygraph
• Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 3 years with PhD; an additional four years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• Demonstrated experience designing, securing, and operating data flow solutions in high‑security/classified environments
• Strong ISSE background including A&A/ATO, security architecture, vulnerability analysis, accreditation documentation, and continuous monitoring requirements
• Hands‑on experience with ETL pipelines, data modeling, activity modeling, and AI/ML‑supportive data engineering
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Cypher, Python, Java, JavaScript)
• Experience with graphing database technologies
• Demonstrated experience cleaning, modeling, and visualizing medium‑to‑large datasets
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Customer-specific experience supporting mission systems or classified programs

Desired Qualifications

• Neo4j and Cypher query language expertise
• Experience with enterprise data strategy, data governance, stewardship practices, and metadata management
• Experience developing dashboards or system visualizations
• Exposure to AI/ML or LLM system engineering and data workflows
• Familiarity with Agile development frameworks and cloud‑native design patterns

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$176,000 - $282,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.