Senior Principal AI Data Engineer

General Dynamics Information Technology; Crystal City (TX); On-site; USD 174,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision plans

Job summary

Iron EagleX is seeking a Senior Principal AI Data Engineer to design, build, and operate data pipelines ingesting high-volume, multi-source data for AI/ML processes in Crystal City, VA. You will enable model-ready datasets, embeddings, and prompts, implement scalable storage layers such as a data lakehouse and vector stores, and support low-latency retrieval for inference and RAG applications.

You will collaborate with software, analytics, and product teams to power AI capabilities and scalable

Qualifications

• Apache Airflow for data pipelines and ETL.
• Python programming expertise.
• ElasticSearch/OpenSearch for indexing and search functionalities.
• Understanding of vector databases, embeddings, and vector search.
• Experience with event-driven architecture and microservices development.
• Hands-on experience with cloud services (e.g. MinIO).
• Strong understanding of data pipeline orchestration and workflow automation.
• Working knowledge of Linux environments and database optimization techniques.
• Strong understanding of version control with Git.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement scalable data pipelines and ETL processes using Apache Airflow, focused on data for AI.
• Build and tune search and retrieval capabilities using ElasticSearch/OpenSearch, including indexing strategies and relevance optimization.
• Enable low-latency retrieval for AI inference and RAG applications through optimized data access and caching.
• Collaborate with analytics teams to define requirements, schemas, and interfaces for downstream consumption.
• Use Git for version control, peer code reviews, CI/CD workflows, and reproducible pipeline deployments.
• Operate within Linux environments and perform performance tuning across pipeline components, storage layers, and compute resources.

Skills

Apache Airflow

Python

ElasticSearch/OpenSearch

Vector databases/embeddings

Event-driven architecture

MinIO cloud storage

Linux

Git

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field

Tools

MinIO

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Job Qualifications

Apache Airflow, Database Optimization, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Git, Structured Query Language (SQL)

Type of Requisition

Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess

Top Secret/SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able To Obtain

Top Secret SCI + Polygraph

Public Trust/Other Required

None

Job Family

Data Science and Data Engineering

Skills

Apache Airflow, Database Optimization, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Git, Structured Query Language (SQL)

Job Qualifications

Apache Airflow, Database Optimization, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Git, Structured Query Language (SQL)

Certifications

None

Experience

10 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required

Yes

YOUR IMPACT

Own your opportunity to work with the largest government agency in the nation. Make an impact by advancing the Department of War’s mission to keep our country safe and secure.

OUR COMPANY

Iron EagleX (IEX), a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), delivers agile IT and Intelligence solutions. Combining small-team flexibility with global scale, IEX leverages emerging technologies to provide innovative, user-focused solutions that empower organizations and end users to operate smarter, faster, and more securely in dynamic environments.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Iron EagleX is seeking a Senior Principal AI Data Engineer to support our AI team in Crystal City, VA. In this role, you will design, build, and operate data pipelines that ingest, store, and process high-volume, multi-source data primarily for modern AI/ML processes. You will partner with software, analytics, and product teams to create model-ready datasets (including features, embeddings, and prompts), implement scalable storage layers (such as a data lakehouse and vector stores), and enable low-latency retrieval for query, inference, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).

MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT

As a Senior Principal AI Data Engineer, you will turn raw, multi-source data into reliable, high-performance inputs that directly power AI models and advanced analytics. Your work will make it faster and easier for teams across engineering, analytics, and products to develop, deploy, and improve AI capabilities by ensuring datasets are ready and accessible.

JOB DUTIES (INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO)

• Design, develop, and implement scalable data pipelines and ETL processes using Apache Airflow, with a focus on data for AI
• Build and tune search and retrieval capabilities using ElasticSearch/OpenSearch, including indexing strategies, schema mappings, and relevance/performance optimization.
• Enable low-latency retrieval for AI inference and RAG applications by optimizing data access patterns, caching approaches, and index refresh strategies.
• Collaborate with analytic teams to define requirements, schemas, and interfaces for downstream consumption.
• Use Git for version control, peer code reviews, CI/CD workflows, and reproducible pipeline deployments across environments.
• Operate within Linux environments and perform performance tuning across pipeline components, storage layers, and compute resources.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Experience with Apache Airflow for workflow orchestration.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Experience with ElasticSearch/OpenSearch for data indexing and search functionalities.
• Understanding of vector databases, embedding models, and vector search for AI applications.
• Expertise in event-driven architecture and microservices development.
• Hands-on experience with cloud services (e.g. MinIO), including data storage and compute resources.
• Strong understanding of data pipeline orchestration and workflow automation.
• Working knowledge of Linux environments and database optimization techniques.
• Strong understanding of version control with Git.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Clearance: Current TS/SCI Clearance with current or willingness to obtain CI polygraph
• Experience: 10+ years of related experience
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Role requirements: Work is onsite in Crystal City, VA with optional CONUS travel
• Due to US Government Contract Requirements, only US Citizens are eligible for this role

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

• Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
• Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
• Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, competitive pay and paid time off
• Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

The likely salary range for this position is $174,250 - $235,750. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Travel Required

None

Telecommuting Options

Onsite

Work Location

USA VA Crystal City

Total Rewards At GDIT

Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans