Platform Data Engineer - US Defense

McKinsey & Company; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 176,000 - 179,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Continuous learning opportunities

Global community

Job summary

A leading global consulting firm in Washington is seeking a Data Engineer specialized in Python and cloud technology. This role involves developing data ingestion pipelines and modifying CI/CD workflows for defense clients. The ideal candidate will have experience with AWS, Azure, and Docker, alongside strong problem-solving skills. Collaboration with a diverse team and adherence to high coding standards are essential. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship required.
• Defense experience required.
• 3+ years as a data engineer focusing on cloud-based services.
• Strong experience with relational databases.
• Hands-on experience with Docker.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop data ingestion pipelines.
• Create and modify CI/CD pipelines.
• Work with a cross-functional team.
• Develop data processing capabilities for GenAI applications.

Skills

Python development

Data workflows

Knowledge graphs

Generative AI

Cloud-based data engineering

Data pipeline performance

Docker

Problem-solving

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Neo4j

Job description

Platform Data Engineer - US Defense / Public Sector

Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges – the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.

Your Impact

Come and work with our Firm's top technical minds on a product team developing an AI Platform that will enable next-generation client services. Be at the forefront of developing this exciting technology for our Firm.

You will work with a cross‑functional team that includes senior firm leaders, CST leaders, practice leaders and cutting‑edge engineers. The team is led by some of our Firm's most senior leaders, including Asutosh Padhi, Brian Elliott, and Klemens Hjartar and is scaling to a large team of full‑stack engineers, data engineers, data scientists, and designers.

This role will specifically focus on customization and additional features required to deploy this platform for Defense and other Government clients.

We are looking for a Data Engineer with expertise in Python development, including data workflows, knowledge graphs, and/or generative AI. You would be working closely with software engineers, data scientists, UI/UX designers, and other technologists.

Your work would include but won’t be limited to creation of the python code, tests, creation and modification of CI/CD pipelines, working with multiple cloud infrastructures (AWS, Azure, GCP) and docker containers.

You will work in a team of data engineers to develop data ingestion pipelines, create and mature data processing capabilities that ingest data into a data system used by GenAI applications. Work includes but not limited to creation of the python code, tests, creation and modification of GitHub Action CICD pipelines, working with multiple cloud infrastructures and docker containers.

Your Growth

Driving lasting impact and building long‑term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture – doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward.

In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues – at all levels – will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won't find anywhere else.

When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast‑paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You'll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm's diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World‑class benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well‑being for you and your family.

Your qualifications and skills

• US Citizenship required
• Defense experience and experience working with data at various classification levels required
• SECRET Security Clearance Required; TS+ clearance preferred
• 3+ years of professional experience as a data engineer, with a strong focus on cloud‑based data engineering using AWS services; other clouds (Azure, GCP) a plus
• Previous enterprise platform experience preferred
• Significant previous experience with Neo4j and strong understanding of knowledge graphs, as well as strong experience with relational databases
• Practicing high coding standards with clean code, modularity, error handling, testing automation and more
• Hands‑on experience with Docker
• Solid and demonstrable background in data pipeline performance and diagnostics
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to analyze and resolve complex data engineering challenges
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross‑functional team environment

Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.

Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve.

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FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. For new joiners for this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, a reasonable estimated range is $176,000 - $179,500 USD – to help you understand what you can expect. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest salary/hourly wages for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.