Senior Data Engineer (Remote, 6-Month Contract)

CEI; Pennsylvania; Remote; USD 96,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CEI is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to support an AI initiative in a flexible, advisory-plus-hands-on capacity. You will validate data architectures, guide data-intensive decisions, and prototype production-ready systems as needed.

Based in Yardley, PA with 100% remote option, the role emphasizes MCP system design, ML workflows, and clear communication to non-specialist stakeholders. W2 contract, 6 months with potential extension or conversion.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience building data-intensive systems.
• Experience designing data pipelines, storage, and retrieval systems at scale.
• Expertise with MCP-based system design and implementation.
• Strong background in classification and related ML pipelines/workflows.
• Deep familiarity with modern AI/LLM system architecture.
• Ability to communicate technical guidance clearly to non-specialist stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and validate proposed data architectures and system designs for AI/ML solutions
• Provide guidance on best practices for data-intensive AI systems and production readiness
• Advise on Model Context Protocol (MCP) system design and buildout
• Guide classification system design and associated ML/AI workflows
• Serve as a technical sounding board for engineering decisions and tradeoffs
• Implement solutions as needed, from prototyping through production delivery
• Help de-risk major architectural decisions and reduce downstream rework

Skills

Data-intensive systems

Data pipelines

MCP-based design

ML pipelines

AI/LLM architecture

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

CEI is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to support an AI initiative in a flexible, advisory-plus-hands-on capacity. You will validate data architectures, guide data-intensive decisions, and prototype production-ready systems as needed.

Based in Yardley, PA with 100% remote option, the role emphasizes MCP system design, ML workflows, and clear communication to non-specialist stakeholders. W2 contract, 6 months with potential extension or conversion.