IT Applications Data Engineer

Pantex; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Pantex is seeking an IT Applications Data Engineer to design, build, and optimize high‑performance data pipelines powering AI, ML, and analytics. The role emphasizes ELT/ETL development, data quality, and collaboration with Data Architects and Data Scientists.

Responsibilities include implementing DataOps practices, maintaining data infrastructure, and ensuring secure, scalable data delivery in a cloud environment. DOE clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering/science/information technology or related field with relevant experience.
• Master's degree in a relevant technical field preferred for higher level.
• Alternative: 10+ years of combined education/experience can be considered.

Responsibilities

• Build, test, and maintain highly scalable data pipelines for batch and real-time data using cloud-native services.
• Design and manage data systems in modern data stack to ensure performance and accessibility.
• Write production-grade Python/Scala code to transform and load data into structured models.
• Implement data quality checks, data lineage, and pipeline monitoring to ensure data integrity.

Skills

SQL

Python/Scala

Data pipelines

Data modeling

DataOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/science/IT

Master's degree in engineering/science/IT

10+ years education/experience alternative

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

Azure Data Factory

AWS Glue

Kafka

Job description

Location: Amarillo, TX - Pantex Plant

Job Title: IT Applications Data Engineer

Career Level From: Senior Associate

Career Level To: Specialist

Organization: Mission Systems (50214380)

Job Specialty: System Development

What You’ll Do

A career at Pantex can offer you the opportunity to make a personal impact on our nation. We recognize that excellent employees are absolutely critical for mission success. We are seeking a Data Engineer to design, build, and optimize the high-performance data pipelines and data infrastructure necessary to power enterprise-level Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and advanced analytics capabilities.

Primary duties include building and maintenance of data pipelines, hands‑on development of robust, scalable Extract, Load, Transform (ELT)/Extract, Transform, Lead (ETL) processes, integrating diverse operational and analytical data sources, and ensuring the reliability and quality of all data assets used for modeling and reporting.

Additional duties may include performance tuning of centralized data platforms, implementing DataOps methodologies, and collaborating closely with Data Architects and Data Scientists to translate data requirements into fully operationalized solutions.

Core Responsibilities And Duties

• Build, test, and maintain highly scalable data pipelines for both batch and real‑time data consumption using cloud‑native services and distributed processing frameworks.
• Construct and manage data systems within the modern data stack (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, or equivalent cloud data warehouse/lakehouse solutions) to ensure optimal data accessibility and performance.
• Write production‑grade code (primarily Python or Scala) to cleanse, transform, and load complex, high‑volume data into structured data models defined by the Data Architect.
• Implement and manage data quality checks, data lineage tools, and pipeline monitoring to ensure data integrity and immediate detection of failures across the data platform.
• Optimize and fine‑tune database performance, query efficiency, and cost management across data storage and processing services in a secure cloud environment.
• Support Data Science teams by providing efficient access to data, developing feature engineering workflows, and integrating model‑ready data into the Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) platform.

Other Responsibilities And Duties

• Participate in defining and enforcing Data Operations (DataOps) and Development, Security and Operations (DevSecOps) practices for data pipeline automation, testing, and secure deployment.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of data flows, data dictionaries, and operational runbooks for all production data infrastructure.
• Collaborate with application development teams and Application Programming Interface (API) developers to establish secure and efficient data ingestion points from source systems.
• Work with Data Architects on modeling new data sources to ensure new data assets adhere to established enterprise data standards and architectures.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering/science/information technology discipline: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience.
• OR Master's degree in engineering/science/information technology discipline.
• OR applicants without a bachelor's degree may be considered based on a combination of at least 10 years of completed education and/or relevant experience

Department of Energy (DOE) Order 426.2A Requirements

• Not Applicable

Preferred Job Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience, with at least 1 year specifically focused on building and managing enterprise‑grade data pipelines and ELT/ETL processes.
• Expert proficiency in Structured Query Language (SQL) and Python or Scala for data manipulation, transformation, and automation.
• Demonstrated experience with distributed processing frameworks (e.g., Apache Spark, Databricks, Snowflake) and cloud-based data services (e.g., Azure Data Factory, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Glue).
• Master's degree (MS) in a relevant technical field with minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant certifications from modern data stack providers (e.g., Databricks Certified Data Engineer, Snowflake Certification) or cloud platforms (e.g., Azure Data Engineer Associate).
• Experience implementing data streaming technologies (e.g., Kafka, Azure Event Hubs) for near real‑time data ingestion.
• Prior experience with data modeling concepts (e.g., Dimensional Modeling, Data Vault) as implemented in data warehousing solutions.

#JointheMission: Your Impact Starts Here

At Pantex, you won’t just find a job—you’ll discover a career of purpose safeguarding national security through work performed nowhere else on Earth. We empower dedicated, innovative individuals like you to achieve their greatest impact surrounded by exceptional talent and limitless opportunities for professional growth.

When you #JointheMission, you choose a lifetime career where your commitment is genuinely valued and rewarded. At Pantex, we believe that extraordinary talent thrives when supported by a balanced life. Discover the flexibility that empowers you to excel, coupled with a benefits package designed for your total peace of mind from comprehensive health coverage and robust retirement planning, to opportunities for continuous learning through education reimbursement.

Notes

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence‑scope polygraph, pursuant to 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 709. Medical requirements may apply.

Pantex is a drug‑free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre‑placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to random selection for drug testing without advance notification.

Pantex is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.