Principal ETL Developer

Leidos LLC; Plyers Mill Estates (MD); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holidays

401K match

Flexible schedule

Stock purchase plan

Upskilling

Education support

Parental leave

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal ETL Developer to design and implement NiFi-based data pipelines for enterprise data lakes. You will lead complex ETL architectures, optimize performance, and mentor junior engineers within a DevOps framework.

The role requires deep NiFi expertise, Java/Python development, and strong collaboration with data architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to translate requirements into robust data solutions. A TS/SCI with polygraph is required for consideration.

Qualifications

• In-depth experience designing, developing, and managing NiFi data flows in large-scale environments.
• Proficiency with NiFi architecture, processors, and configurations; experience with NiFi Registry and clustering.
• Strong Java and Python for custom NiFi processors and automation scripts.
• Experience with relational and NoSQL databases (Postgres, Elasticsearch, DynamoDB).
• Direct experience with real-time streaming and REST API integration.
• Cloud experience with AWS, Azure, or OCI and related services.

Responsibilities

• Architect complex NiFi data pipelines for large data ingestion and processing.
• Tune and optimize NiFi data flows for batch and real-time workloads.
• Troubleshoot NiFi data flow issues and bottlenecks.
• Integrate NiFi with databases, big data ecosystems, and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/OCI).
• Establish NiFi development, deployment, security, and governance best practices.
• Create documentation for NiFi flows, mappings, architectures, and SOPs.
• Mentor junior developers and perform code reviews.

Skills

NiFi design

NiFi architecture

Java / Python

REST API

Cloud (AWS/Azure/OCI)

Databases (Postgres/Elasticsearch/Dyna

Kafka

Education

Bachelor's degree + 12+ years

Master's degree + 10+ years

Tools

NiFi Registry

NiFi clustering

Kafka

Elasticsearch

S3

SQS/SNS

DynamoDB

Job description

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for a Principal ETL Developer in our Intel Security Sector's Analysis Solutions Business Area. Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Job Description We have an IMMEDIATE NEED for an 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.

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.

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 or more years of prior relevant experience or Master’s degree with 10 or more years of relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
• To be considered must have an active TS/SCI with polygraph security clearance

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 that disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: January 20, 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.

Pay Range: Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

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.

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.