Senior Data Engineer (OpAI)

The Marlin Alliance, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense technology firm in San Diego is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to create advanced data pipelines supporting Navy missions. This role involves significant collaboration with cross-functional teams and requires expertise in data engineering, cloud frameworks, and analytics. Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent experience and have strong programming skills. Responsibilities include implementing data solutions and ensuring high reliability in naval applications. An active TS security clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Strong programming skills in multiple languages.
• Experience with large-scale data architecture across secure DoD environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data pipelines for naval applications.
• Collaborate with teams to address Navy operational challenges.
• Deploy and monitor data pipelines in operational environments.

Skills

Programming in Python, Go, Rust, Pandas, R, SQL

Data engineering

Distributed systems

Cloud data frameworks

Data pipelines

Analytics

Cybersecurity principles

Exploratory data analysis

Data normalization and structuring

Event streaming technologies

Education

Master of Science in Computer Science, Data Science, Geography, Math, or Statistics

Equivalent years of relevant experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Apache Kafka

AWS Kinesis

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS services (e.g., S3, RDS, EFS)

Apache Airflow

Snowflake

ArcGIS

PostGIS

Job description

The Marlin Alliance, Inc. is seeking a Senior Data Engineer (OpAI) to design, build, and operationalize advanced data pipelines and analytics supporting Naval and DoD mission challenges. This role requires deep experience across data engineering, distributed systems, event streaming, cloud data frameworks, and mission-focused analytics. The Senior Data Engineer will support complex data integration efforts, collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, and lead data architecture improvements aligned with operational Navy needs.

Established in 2002, The Marlin Alliance is seeking to hire highly skilled individuals to support mission critical projects within the Navy. We are looking for motivated individuals to lead and support digital transformation, data science and analytics, and automation projects for variety of Navy clients. Individuals must be able to function in a fast-paced work environment and able to adapt quickly to rapidly changing requirements and technologies. Using your comprehensive knowledge of various technologies, you will design, develop, and implement solutions to support Navy mission owners in their digital transformation journey.

Citizenship And Clearance Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required
• No dual citizenship
• Active TS security clearance required
• Active TS SCI security clearance preferred
  
  

Location - ON-Site near one of the following locations:

• 1st Space Brigade - Fort Carson, CO
• Air Force TENCAP - Colorado Springs, CO
• NIWC LANT - Charleston, SC
• Buckley Space Force Base - Denver, CO
• NAVWAR - San Diego, CA
  
  

Travel

• 15%
  
  

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand and address Navy operational challenges using data pipelines and analytics.
• Design, develop, and implement data pipelines and analytics for naval applications.
• Perform exploratory data analysis, algorithm development, and testing.
• Normalize and structure data to common standards for interoperability.
• Work with multiple data formats, including CSV, JSON, XML, Parquet, and ORC.
• Develop and deploy data pipelines and analytics in real-world operational environments.
• Deploy, monitor, and optimize data pipelines to ensure high performance and reliability.
• Implement event streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka, AWS Kinesis, RabbitMQ, or ZeroMQ.
• Utilize distributed computing platforms such as AWS Lambda, Dask, or Spark.
• Leverage cloud-native tools including AWS S3, RDS, EFS, SNS, and SQS.
• Utilize data pipeline frameworks such as AirByte, Apache Airflow, dbt, Apache Iceberg, and Snowflake.
• Work with GIS data using ArcGIS, PostGIS, and related tooling.
• Implement containerized environments using Docker or Kubernetes.
• Apply cybersecurity principles in the context of secure DoD data applications.
• Communicate findings and engineering solutions effectively with technical and mission stakeholders.
  
  

Required Skills And Experience

• Strong programming skills in Python, G, Rust, Pandas, R, SQL, or related languages
• 10 years of experience as a business analyst, data analyst, data scientist, data engineer, database administrator, geospatial analyst/engineer, machine learning engineer, or software engineer, or related field.
• Willingness to travel
• 100% On Site willingness
• Ability to safely carry tools, equipment, and materials aboard ship, including ascending and descending shipboard ladders(stairwells) and navigating confined spaces while maintaining required points of contact. Tools and equipment will weigh no more than 50 lbs.
• Ability to perform required work aboard Navy vessels and in shipboard environments, including navigating narrow passageways, ascending, and descending ladders (stairwells), working on elevated platforms, and operating in variable sea conditions.
• Ability to perform activities on a reoccurring basis during shipboard operations or testing evolutions.
• Ability to comply with Navy safety requirements and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to operate in a DDIL office environment
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals to meet these requirements and perform the essential functions of the position.
• Candidates should be prepared to complete a coding exercise as part of the interview process.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience with large-scale data architecture across secure DoD or government environments.
• Experience working with NAVWAR, NIWC Pacific, or naval C2/ISR programs.
• Experience architecting data solutions across multi-domain or cross-domain systems.
• Familiarity with MLOps practices or deploying analytics/ML-enabled pipelines in classified, cross-domain, or constrained environments
• Experience with cloud-native data architecture and API design.
• Programming experience in Go or Rust.
• Proven experience designing, developing, and deploying complex data pipelines.
• Experience working with multiple data formats (e.g., CSV, JSON, XML, Parquet, ORC).
• Familiarity with event streaming technologies: (e.g. Kafka, AWS Kinesis, RabbitMQ, ZeroMQ).
• Experience deploying, monitoring, and optimizing operational data pipelines.
• Expertise in Elasticsearch, Redis, S3, PostgreSQL, or related datastores.
• Experience with AWS data services (EFS, RDS, S3, SNS, SQS).
• Experience with distributed computing: AWS Lambda, DASK, Spark.
• Familiarity with AirByte, Airflow, dbt, Iceberg, Snowflake.
• Experience managing, integrating, and retrieving GIS data (ArcGIS, PostGIS).
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles as applied to data applications and operational environments (including DDIL constraints)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills in a collaborative team environment.
• Previous experience supporting government agencies or military organizations.
  
  

Education And Certification Requirements

• Equivalent years of relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Master of Science in Computer Science, Data Science, Geography, Math, Machine Learning, or Statistics.
• Additional certifications in data engineering, cloud, geospatial, or cybersecurity are a plus if required by contract.
  
  

Job Classification

Associate II

$110,000 - $180,000

Disclaimer

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities