Forward Deployed Data Engineer (Manassas, VA / Senior) [Secret]

Spear AI; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Sick time

Health benefits

Paid Holidays

Professional development

Remote options

401(k)

Relocation assistance

Referral bonuses

Performance bonuses

Home office stipend

Certification reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Spear AI in Manassas, VA seeks a Forward Deployed Data Engineer to build real-time data pipelines and an AI-driven maritime domain awareness platform. You’ll work on-site with customers, write code, integrate systems, and own critical data workflows in the field while supporting mission success.

Ideal candidates combine strong Python/Rust skills with experience in streaming and batch pipelines (MQTT, Redpanda, Dagster, Airflow), data warehouses (Postgres, Iceberg, Parquet, S3), and binary

Qualifications

• Experience building real-time data pipelines (MQTT, streaming)
• Experience with batch pipelines and Dagster/Airflow
• Proficiency in Python and Rust for data engineering
• Experience parsing binary message formats
• Experience with OLTP/OLAP databases and data modeling
• Knowledge of distributed systems, streaming and batch patterns
• Hands-on with Dagster/Airflow for orchestration
• Hands-on with Redpanda/Kafka for streaming
• Experience with Protobuf or similar binary formats

Responsibilities

• Implement real-time data pipelines with MQTT and Redpanda for stream processing
• Implement offline data pipelines using Dagster for batch processing
• Parse and process binary message formats from various data sources
• Build data warehouses using Postgres, Iceberg, Parquet, and S3
• Design data models for high-performance queries
• Validate and normalize data sources
• Improve local development and CI/CD with modern tooling and GitHub Actions

Skills

Python

Rust

MQTT

Redpanda

Dagster

Airflow

PostgreSQL

Iceberg/Parquet

S3

Binary formats

Tools

Dagster

Airflow

Redpanda

Kafka

Postgres

Iceberg

Parquet

Job description

We’re seeking a skilled Forward Deployed Data Engineer to build the next-generation data management and artificial intelligence platform for maritime domain awareness.

As a forward-deployed engineer, you’ll work on-site with customers — writing code, integrating systems, and solving hard problems in the field. You’re part engineer, part technical advisor, and wholly accountable for making the mission succeed. The position requires a current or active U.S. Secret clearance.

Spear AI is a growing defense contracting company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that support our nation’s security. As we expand, we’re building a culture where innovation meets mission-critical work. We operate with a flat organizational structure that empowers every team member to make an impact, collaborate directly with leadership, and contribute to projects that matter. Whether you’re joining our Hardware, Software, or Services division, you’ll work alongside talented professionals who are committed to excellence and advancing the capabilities that keep our nation safe and secure.

Spear AI builds sonobuoy sensors that are deployed into the water and collect edge data. We also work with the U.S. Navy to collect and process their SONAR data. You’ll have an opportunity to work on real-world projects that directly impact warfighter capabilities and mission success.

What you’ll do

We’re a small team wearing many hats, and you’d have a wide variety of responsibilities that include:

• Implement real-time data pipelines with MQTT and Redpanda for stream processing.

• Implement offline data pipelines using Dagster for batch processing.

• Parse and process binary message formats from various data sources.

• Build data warehouses using Postgres, Apache Iceberg, Parquet, and S3.

• Design data models that allow for high-performance queries.

• Validate and normalize data sources.

• Improve local development and CI/CD using modern tooling and GitHub Actions.

Who you are

We’re looking for someone with strong Software Engineering skills who shares our most important values:

• You’re fanatical about polish. Every detail matters. You love to make sure your code is linted, formatted, fully typed, and has 100% test coverage.

• You care about correctness. You take pride in the fact that downstream consumers trust libraries and services you build.

• You obsess over performance. You daydream about Lighthouse scores and query speed.

• You dive deep. It’s important for you to really know how things work. You’re always building prototypes and setting up experiments to reinforce your understanding.

• You live on the bleeding edge. You’ve got a long list of upcoming platform features you’re excited about and can’t wait for the next nightly to drop.

• You’re a great teacher. You know how to break down a concept for a specific audience and make it click with them in a way that gets them excited.

Why work with us

• We ship — We don’t work on 18-month projects that are irrelevant before they’re even finished.

• Our work has impact — We build products that are deployed to U.S. submarines and integrate with the sonobuoys we manufacture.

• We’re growing responsibly — We have the resources to hire a lot more people, but we don’t want to build a massive team of people who don’t share our values.

• We’re remote — Work from wherever you want. We collaborate in real time on Slack or asynchronously via GitHub.

• We’re profitable — We aren’t burning through cash trying to make the business work. But we also have investors who believe in us and are committed to our success.

• We care about doing great work — You don’t need permission to sweat the details here.

• We don’t take ourselves too seriously — We’re building products that make the world safer. But we don’t let that get to our heads.

Important skills

• Expertise in time-series data processing and analysis (windowing, resampling, interpolation, etc.)

• Proficiency in Python and Rust for data engineering workflows.

• Experience with binary message parsing.

• Experience with row-based & columnar-based data formats.

• Experience with OLTP & OLAP databases.

• Knowledge of distributed systems, streaming architectures, and batch processing patterns.

• Hands-on experience with a batch orchestrator such as Dagster/Airflow.

• Hands-on experience with a streaming platform such as Redpanda/Kafka.

• Hands-on experience with binary message formats such as Protobuf.

Nice to have

• Experience with IoT devices and sensors.

• Digital signal processing experience.

• Geospatial analysis and GIS experience.

• Familiar with working in monorepos.

What we offer

• Unlimited PTO — Take the time you need to recharge and maintain work-life balance.

• Dedicated sick time — Your health and well-being come first.

• Comprehensive health and benefits – Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family protected.

• 11 Paid Holidays — Enjoy time off throughout the year to celebrate and spend time with loved ones.

• Professional development — Educational opportunities and resources to help you grow your skills and advance your career.

• Collaborative environment — Work directly with leadership in our flat organizational structure, where your ideas and contributions matter.

• Mission-driven work — Contribute to projects that directly support national security and make a real-world impact.

• Growth opportunities — Join us during an exciting expansion phase where you can help shape our future.

Additional benefit opportunities when you choose Spear AI:

• 401(k) with company match.

• Onsite / Remote / Flexible work arrangements or hybrid options (position dependent).

• Relocation assistance (position dependent).

• Referral bonuses.

• Performance bonuses.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Technology home office setup stipend.

• Professional certification reimbursement (position dependent).

We offer competitive compensation tailored to your experience, location, and the impact you’ll make. We’re committed to equitable pay and will share a range aligned to your level and geography during the hiring process. In accordance with state law, candidates in jurisdictions such as CA, CO, WA, NY, and others, where applicable, will be provided a good-faith salary range upon request and throughout the hiring process. This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Compensation for this position is provided on a salaried basis and is not subject to reduction based on hours worked. At Spear AI, you’ll find more than just a job; you’ll join a mission-driven team where your work directly contributes to national security. Our flat organizational structure means your voice matters, your ideas reach leadership, and your impact is visible. As we grow, we’re committed to building robust processes and infrastructure that support both our mission and our people. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and the expertise each team member brings to the table. If you’re looking for a place to grow professionally while working on projects that truly matter, we’d love to hear from you.