Senior Data Engineer

GovCIO; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

GovCIO is seeking a Senior Data Engineer with an active Secret clearance for on-site support in Merrifield, VA, in a hybrid role. You will develop, maintain, and modernize data systems across low-side and high-side enclaves to meet mission requirements.

The role emphasizes designing scalable data pipelines, optimizing databases, and applying cloud capabilities (AWS/Azure) within secure environments. Collaboration with government stakeholders is essential to mission success.

Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance enabling access to low side and high side systems.
• Experience administering Oracle and SQL Server databases with tuning and optimization.
• Strong Apache NiFi pipeline development and maintenance experience.
• Cloud experience with AWS and/or Azure in secure environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and modernize low-side and high-side database environments, ensuring stability, performance, and scalability.
• Design, optimize, and troubleshoot NiFi-based data pipelines supporting high-volume mission workflows.
• Administer, tune, and support Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server databases across secure enclaves.
• Enhance backend performance for applications by improving data flows, query efficiency, and system integration.
• Support Linux and Windows server environments used for database operations, data workflows, and pipeline infrastructure.
• Apply cloud platform experience (AWS and/or Azure) to support modernization, migration, or hybrid data processing efforts as permitted by mission requirements.
• Perform on-site diagnostics, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to resolve complex data and system issues.
• Collaborate closely with development teams, system administrators, and government stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission goals.
• Maintain thorough documentation of technical processes, data models, configurations, and workflows.
• Ensure all activities adhere to security, compliance, and data handling requirements in classified environments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Agile development

Security practices

Education

High School + 10+ years of experience

Tools

Oracle

Microsoft SQL Server

Apache NiFi

AWS

Azure

Job description

Overview

GovCIO is currently hiring for a Senior Data Engineer with an active Secret clearance to serve as an on-site technical resource, responsible for developing, maintaining, and modernizing data systems across low-side and high-side enclaves. This position will be located in Merrifield, VA and will be a hybrid position.

Responsibilities

This role focuses on improving performance, reliability, and scalability for data-centric applications. The engineer will design and optimize data pipelines, manage enterprise databases, and lead modernization efforts using cloud-capable technologies while ensuring compliance with strict security and operational constraints.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and modernize low-side and high-side database environments, ensuring stability, performance, and scalability.
• Design, optimize, and troubleshoot NiFi-based data pipelines supporting high-volume mission workflows.
• Administer, tune, and support Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server databases across secure enclaves.
• Enhance backend performance for applications by improving data flows, query efficiency, and system integration.
• Support Linux and Windows server environments used for database operations, data workflows, and pipeline infrastructure.
• Apply cloud platform experience (AWS and/or Azure) to support modernization, migration, or hybrid data processing efforts as permitted by mission requirements.
• Perform on-site diagnostics, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to resolve complex data and system issues.
• Collaborate closely with development teams, system administrators, and government stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission goals.
• Maintain thorough documentation of technical processes, data models, configurations, and workflows.
• Ensure all activities adhere to security, compliance, and data handling requirements in classified environments.

Qualifications

High School with 10+ years of application development (or commensurate experience)

Clearance Required:

Active Secret with the ability to obtain and hold DEA suitability

Required Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance enabling access to low side and high side systems.
• Hands-on experience with Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server database administration, tuning, and optimization.
• Strong proficiency in Apache NiFi pipeline development and maintenance.
• Experience with Linux and Windows server systems in enterprise or secure environments.
• Cloud platform experience (AWS and/or Azure) supporting modernization and migration efforts.
• Experience working within a classified Government environment.
• Experience working with Government product owners and stakeholders.
• Experience working on an agile development team.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex data pipeline and database issues in secure onsite environments.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with generative AI such as Claude Code, Copilot, and ChatGPT.

Experience supporting mission systems or sensitive data environments within federal agencies.

• Knowledge of ETL methodologies, data modeling, and performance optimization strategies.
• Experience modernizing legacy data systems into cloud, virtualized, or containerized architectures within classified environments.
• Relevant technical certifications (Oracle DBA, MCSE, AWS/Azure certs, Linux admin certs).
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and CI/CD tools.

Familiarity with secure networking, segmentation, and classified data workflows.

Posted Salary Range: USD $130,000.00 - USD $190,000.00 /Yr.