Junior Data Engineer

West 4th Strategy; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k contributions

Full benefits brochure

Job summary

West 4th Strategy seeks an experienced Data Engineer for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Comptroller. Responsibilities include collecting, cleaning, transforming data, and applying ML/NLP techniques to large datasets.

You will support senior data scientists and maintain analytics pipelines. Required 1–3 years with Python/SQL/R, Databricks or Spark exposure, and strong data visualization skills.

Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. or M.A./M.S. in a relevant field.
• 1–3 years of foundational experience using Python, SQL, R, or similar languages to support data manipulation, ETL, or analytics workflows.
• Exposure to data-processing frameworks or platforms such as Databricks, Spark, or equivalent, and familiarity with mapping raw-to-scrubbed data stages.
• Understanding of basic analytical concepts such as data mining, machine learning fundamentals, NLP techniques, and data modeling.
• Ability to perform data validation, identify anomalies, and support data-quality governance under guidance from senior team members.
• Ability to interpret trends, visualize results, and communicate data findings using dashboards and modern visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Collects, cleans, and transforms raw data into meaningful and actionable information.
• Helps build and maintain reliable datasets.
• Helps implement techniques and analytical applications that leverage data-oriented programming languages, visualization tools, and modern computational methods.
• Applies foundational data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning techniques to extract insights from large structured and unstructured datasets.
• Visualizes, interprets, and reports data findings, occasionally developing dynamic or automated data reports for stakeholders.
• Analyzes patterns and validates data quality.
• Assists with troubleshooting data workflows.
• Supports senior data scientists in maintaining stable, well-governed analytics pipelines.

Skills

Python

SQL

R

data manipulation

ETL

NLP fundamentals

data mining

dashboard visualization

Education

Bachelors or Masters in a relevant field

Tools

Databricks

Spark

Job description

Data EngineerROLEWe need an experienced Data Engineer at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSD(P&R)) Comptroller. This office manages the budget and financial accountability behind the programs that recruit, pay, train, and care for the people of the Department of War (DoW), and reliable data is how leadership demonstrates where every dollar goes. In this role, you will collect, clean, and transform raw data into meaningful and actionable information, apply foundational data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning techniques to large structured and unstructured datasets, and support senior data scientists in maintaining stable, well-governed analytics pipelines. This is a full-time opportunity. We can offer a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collects, cleans, and transforms raw data into meaningful and actionable information.
• Helps build and maintain reliable datasets.
• Helps implement techniques and analytical applications that leverage data-oriented programming languages, visualization tools, and modern computational methods.
• Applies foundational data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning techniques to extract insights from large structured and unstructured datasets.
• Visualizes, interprets, and reports data findings, occasionally developing dynamic or automated data reports for stakeholders.
• Analyzes patterns and validates data quality.
• Assists with troubleshooting data workflows.
• Supports senior data scientists in maintaining stable, well-governed analytics pipelines.

BACKGROUND/REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• B.A./B.S. or M.A./M.S. in a relevant field.
• One (1) to three (3) years of foundational experience using Python, SQL, R, or similar languages to support data manipulation, ETL, or analytics workflows.
• Exposure to data-processing frameworks or platforms such as Databricks, Spark, or equivalent, and familiarity with mapping raw-to-scrubbed data stages.
• Understanding of basic analytical concepts such as data mining, machine learning fundamentals, NLP techniques, and data modeling.
• Ability to perform data validation, identify anomalies, and support data-quality governance under guidance from senior team members.
• Ability to interpret trends, visualize results, and communicate data findings using dashboards and modern visualization tools.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• Exposure to mission-focused analytics platforms and large-scale enterprise datasets.
• Familiarity with audit workflows, financial data environments, or systems involving structured and semi-structured data integrations.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and translating business requirements into basic analytical or software tasks.
• Experience building lightweight scripts or prototypes that automate small analytical tasks or data transformations.

LOCATION

Remote: Full telework

CLEARANCE

Active Secret security clearance requiredMust be a U.S. citizenMust pass a federal background investigation and meet facility and system access requirements

CLIENT

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSD(P&R)) Comptroller

HOURS

40 hours per week. 8 hours per day

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION

Employment Classification Eligibility: W2

COMPENSATION

• Salary range: $100,000 to $105,000
• Benefits: Benefits package includes options for health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401k contribution options.
• Full benefits brochure available for review.

West 4th Strategy is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.

Other Considerations

This position is W-2 only; no Corp-to-Corp or 1099 candidates. Relocation will not be offered. As a condition of employment, selected candidates must complete and receive favorable adjudication from a federal government background investigation as required by the client. Individual’s primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 80% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC, copier, fax, telephone, cell phone, etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead, bend, and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 80% of the time.