Senior Data Engineer

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to design, build, and operate enterprise data pipelines and data models. You will work with Finance, HR, and client-facing units, translating complex data concepts into clear actions for diverse stakeholders.

The role requires strong communication, experience with BI environments (Power BI), data warehousing, and Azure services. Collaboration with cross-functional teams will be essential to deliver secure, trusted data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Data Science, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience building productiongrade data pipelines and data models on modern cloud platforms.
• Experience supporting BI environments and semantic modeling (e.g., Power BI).
• Experience with data warehousing, Lakehouse architectures, ETL/ELT patterns, and data quality frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to explain technical concepts clearly and concisely to nontechnical audiences.
• Experience with MDM tools, middleware integrations, or enterprise master data synchronization.
• Experience with Azure data services, orchestration tools, and enterprise analytics platforms.
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal, and visual – with the ability to tailor messaging to executives, business users, and engineering peers.
• Proven record of effective collaboration with crossfunctional stakeholders.
• Preferred: background in government contracting or regulated environments.
• Good SQL skills and proficiency in Python or Scala.
• Exposure to process engineering and change-management practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate enterprise data pipelines and data models.
• Collaborate with Finance, Accounting, HR, Business Development, and client-facing units to translate data concepts.
• Engineer integrations that synchronize master data across SPA systems.
• Implement CI/CD, IaC, and automation for data environments and deployments.
• Translate data topics into clear explanations for stakeholders.
• Provide documentation, diagrams, and briefings supporting data governance.

Skills

Data pipelines

Data modeling

Power BI

Data warehousing

ETL/ELT

Data quality frameworks

MDM tools

Azure data services

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

SQL

Python

Scala

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/DS or related field

Tools

Power BI

Azure

SQL

Python

Scala

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

As a Senior Data Engineer, you will design, build, and operate enterprise data pipelines and data models that transform operational data into secure, trusted, and accessible data products. This position works closely with Finance, Accounting, HR, Business Development, and SPA's clientfacing business units - requiring strong communication skills to translate technical concepts into clear, actionable information for diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Data Engineering & Architecture

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable data pipelines and workflows across enterprise systems.
• Build wellstructured data models, semantic layers, and curated datasets aligned with business needs.
• Implement data quality, observability, and reliability controls to ensure accuracy and auditability.

Integration, MDM & Platform Operations

• Engineer integrations that synchronize master data across SPA systems.
• Partner with enterprise platform teams to leverage SPAapproved middleware, MDM, and Azure services.
• Implement CI/CD, IaC, and automation to manage data environments and deployments.

Communication & CrossFunctional Collaboration

• Translate complex data engineering topics into clear, plainlanguage explanations for business, technical, and executive audiences.
• Work directly with stakeholders to understand data needs, document requirements, and communicate technical impacts.
• Act as a trusted partner to business units, collaborating on reporting, analytics, and processimprovement initiatives.
• Provide clear written documentation, diagrams, and briefings that support data governance, solution design, and adoption.

Security, Governance & Compliance

• Implement secure data access patterns, encryption, retention, and lineage in alignment with SPA cybersecurity and compliance requirements.
• Support enterprise data governance practices and contribute to standardized data policies and definitions.

BI & Analytics Enablement

• Partner with analysts to deliver highquality, consumptionready datasets for reporting tools.
• Provide guidance on data modeling, semantic layers, and best practices for BI enablement.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to engineering standards, patterns, and documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and analysts in engineering practices and communication techniques.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Data Science, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience building productiongrade data pipelines and data models on modern cloud platforms.
• Experience supporting BI environments and semantic modeling (e.g., Power BI).
• Experience with data warehousing, Lakehouse architectures, ETL/ELT patterns, and data quality frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to explain technical concepts clearly and concisely to nontechnical audiences.
• Experience with MDM tools, middleware integrations, or enterprise master data synchronization.
• Experience with Azure data services, orchestration tools, and enterprise analytics platforms.
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal, and visual – with the ability to tailor messaging to executives, business users, and engineering peers.
• Proven record of effective collaboration with crossfunctional stakeholders.

Preferred

• Background in governmentcontracting or regulated environments.
• Good SQL skills and proficiency in a programming language such as Python or Scala.
• Exposure to process engineering and changemanagement practices.