Senior Data Engineer

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

Job summary

GovCIO is seeking a Senior Data Engineer with an active Secret clearance to serve as an on-site technical resource in Merrifield, VA. The role is hybrid and focuses on developing, maintaining, and modernizing data systems across low-side and high-side enclaves.

The ideal candidate will design data pipelines with NiFi, administer Oracle and SQL Server databases, and collaborate with government stakeholders while ensuring security and compliance.

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.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and modernize low-side and high-side database environments.
• Design, optimize, and troubleshoot NiFi-based data pipelines for high-volume workflows.
• Administer and tune Oracle and SQL Server databases across secure enclaves.
• Enhance backend performance by improving data flows and query efficiency.
• Support Linux and Windows server environments used for data operations.
• Apply cloud experience (AWS/Azure) to modernization and hybrid data processing.
• Perform on-site diagnostics, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis.
• Collaborate with development teams and government stakeholders to align with mission goals.
• Maintain thorough documentation of processes, data models, configurations, and workflows.
• Ensure activities adhere to security and data handling requirements in classified environments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

High School with 10+ years experience

Tools

Oracle

Microsoft SQL Server

Apache NiFi

Linux

Windows Server

AWS

Azure

CI/CD tools

Job description

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: Secret

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.

#tlm #nss #tmk

Posted Salary Range

USD $130,000.00 - USD $190,000.00 /Yr.