Senior ISSE & Data Engineer - Secure Cloud & AI

Markon Solutions; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Markon Solutions seeks an experienced Systems Engineer specializing in ISSE and Data Engineering to support an Intelligence Community client in Chantilly, Virginia. Design, secure, integrate, and optimize mission-critical cloud and data solutions in classified environments, leveraging ETL pipelines, graph databases, and AI/ML-enabled technologies.

The role spans security architecture, ATO documentation, secure software components, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Full Scope Polygraph (FSP).
• Bachelor's degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience, including 2 years of Sponsor experience; OR
• Master's degree and at least 6 years of relevant experience, including 2 years of Sponsor experience; OR
• PhD and at least 3 years of relevant experience, including 2 years of Sponsor experience.
• An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrated experience designing, securing, and maintaining data flow solutions within classified or high-security environments.
• Strong ISSE experience, including security architecture, A&A/ATO processes, vulnerability management, accreditation documentation, and continuous monitoring.
• Hands-on experience developing ETL pipelines, data models, activity models, and data engineering solutions supporting AI/ML initiatives.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language, such as Cypher, Python, Java, or JavaScript.
• Experience with graph database technologies, with Neo4j and Cypher expertise preferred.
• Experience cleaning, modeling, analyzing, and visualizing medium-to-large datasets.
• Experience supporting Sponsor mission systems or classified programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead Information Systems Security Engineering (ISSE) activities throughout the system lifecycle, including security architecture development, security control implementation, and compliance with NIST and Sponsor-specific requirements.
• Develop and maintain Assessment and Authorization (A& A) documentation supporting Authorization to Operate (ATO), including System Security Plans (SSPs), Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), test procedures, and continuous monitoring artifacts.
• Conduct security scans, vulnerability assessments, patch management, and remediation activities across classified cloud and on-premises environments .
• Integrate security-by-design principles into system architectures, data flows, ETL pipelines, and operational workflows.
• Design, develop, and optimize Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) pipelines supporting enterprise data integration, advanced analytics, and AI/ML initiatives.
• Develop and maintain Neo4j graph database solutions , including data modeling, relationship mapping, schema optimization, and Cypher query development.
• Clean, preprocess, analyze, and visualize medium-to-large datasets to support mission analysis and operational decision-making.
• Develop secure software components using technologies such as Cypher, Python, Java, and JavaScript .
• Perform technical and functional assessments, risk analysis, cost estimation, trade studies, and systems engineering evaluations.
• Support secure cloud architectures, virtualization technologies, and scalable data solutions within mission environments.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, developers, security teams, and mission stakeholders to ensure solutions meet technical, accreditation, and operational requirements .
• Participate in Agile development activities , including sprint planning, iterative development, and CI/CD processes.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation covering technical requirements, data models, engineering decisions, software components, and security compliance.

Skills

ISSE

Data engineering

Security architecture

A&A/ATO

ETL pipelines

Neo4j

Cypher

Python

Java

JavaScript

Vulnerability management

Cloud security

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Cypher

Python

Java

JavaScript

Job description

Markon Solutions seeks an experienced Systems Engineer specializing in ISSE and Data Engineering to support an Intelligence Community client in Chantilly, Virginia. Design, secure, integrate, and optimize mission-critical cloud and data solutions in classified environments, leveraging ETL pipelines, graph databases, and AI/ML-enabled technologies.

The role spans security architecture, ATO documentation, secure software components, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet