Principal ETL Developer

Leidos; Bethesda, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal ETL Developer to design, lead, and implement NiFi-based data flow solutions for enterprise data lakes. You will shape architectures, optimize performance, and mentor junior developers within a DevOps framework, contributing to robust, scalable, and secure data delivery. The role requires TS/SCI with Poly, U.S.

citizenship, and periodic travel to Bethesda, MD in a hybrid setup. You will collaborate with data architects, engineers, and stakeholders to translate

Qualifications

• Experience designing NiFi data flow solutions in large-scale enterprises.
• Proficiency in Java and Python for custom NiFi processors.
• Experience with AWS/Azure/OCI and data services.

Responsibilities

• Architect NiFi data pipelines for enterprise ingest, transform, and load.
• Tune NiFi performance, memory, and load balancing for batch and real‑time processing.
• Troubleshoot NiFi data flows and resolve complex issues.

Skills

NiFi

Java

Python

SQL

REST API

AWS

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 12+ years experience

Master’s degree + 10+ years experience

Tools

NiFi Registry

Clustering

PostgreSQL

Elasticsearch

DynamoDB

Job description

Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Job Summary

We have an IMMEDIATE NEED for a Principal ETL developer to play a pivotal role in shaping, leading, and implementing cutting-edge data flow solutions centered around Apache NiFi. The candidate will provide technical expertise and support in the design, development, implementation and testing of customer tools and applications in support of Extracting, Transforming and Loading (ETL) of data into an enterprise Data Lake. The candidate will be responsible for defining architectural best practices, optimizing performance in large-scale environments, and mentoring junior developers, ensuring the delivery of robust, scalable, and secure data flow solutions that drive critical customer needs. Based in a DevOps framework, the ETL Developer participates in and directs major deliverables of projects through all aspects of the software development lifecycle.

We have an IMMEDIATE NEED for a Principal ETL developer to play a pivotal role in shaping, leading, and implementing cutting-edge data flow solutions centered around Apache NiFi. The candidate will provide technical expertise and support in the design, development, implementation and testing of customer tools and applications in support of Extracting, Transforming and Loading (ETL) of data into an enterprise Data Lake. The candidate will be responsible for defining architectural best practices, optimizing performance in large-scale environments, and mentoring junior developers, ensuring the delivery of robust, scalable, and secure data flow solutions that drive critical customer needs. Based in a DevOps framework, the ETL Developer participates in and directs major deliverables of projects through all aspects of the software development lifecycle.

Job Details

• This is a hybrid position. You must be able and willing to periodically commute into Bethesda, MD for meetings with the team.**
• A TS/SCI w/ Poly is required, for consideration.

Primary Responsibilities

• Architecting complex NiFi data pipeline design: Design and develop enterprise-level ETL architectures and implement NiFi data pipelines for large-scale data ingestion, transformation, and processing from diverse sources.
• Performance optimization and tuning: Optimize NiFi data flows, including processor tuning, memory management, and load balancing, ensuring optimal performance for batch and real-time processing.
• Advanced troubleshooting and problem resolution: Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex NiFi data flow issues, including performance bottlenecks, data discrepancies, and integration failures.
• Integrating with big data and cloud technologies: Seamlessly integrate NiFi with various databases, big data ecosystems, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, OCI, Azure), demonstrating expertise in relevant services (e.g., Kafka, Elasticsearch, S3, SQS/SNS).
• Defining best practices and standards: Establish best practices for NiFi development, deployment, security, and governance, ensuring adherence to enterprise-wide data management policies.
• Documentation and knowledge sharing: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for NiFi data flows, mappings, architectures, and standard operating procedures, ensuring knowledge transfer and promoting efficient team operations.
• Collaboration and communication: Collaborate effectively with data architects, data engineers, application/service developers, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions and effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentorship and team leadership: Mentor junior developers, provide technical guidance, conduct code reviews, and foster a collaborative learning environment.
• U.S. Citizenship is required per the contract.
• A TS/SCI w/ Poly is required for consideration, as is willingness to be submitted for additional clearances.

Basic Qualifications

• In-depth experience designing, developing, and managing complex NiFi data flow solutions in large-scale enterprise environments.
• In-depth knowledge of NiFi architecture, processors, and configurations, along with hands‑on experience with NiFi Registry and clustering for high availability and scalability.
• Proficiency in programming languages like Java and Python for custom NiFi processor development and scripting for automation.
• Proficiency writing and optimizing complex queries, along with experience in managing relational and NoSQL databases (e.g., Postgres, Elasticsearch, DynamoDB).
• Direct experience with real-time streaming, and API integration (REST) for seamless data connectivity.
• Direct experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or OCI and related data services
• Strong ability to analyze complex data challenges, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Strong ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, articulate technical concepts clearly, and provide effective mentorship.
• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 10+ years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• In-depth experience deploying ETL solutions in an AWS environment.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

Original Posting

February 5, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.