Software Engineer and Data Automation Specialist

U. S. Sentencing Commission; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Sentencing Commission seeks a Software Engineering and Data Automation Specialist to join the Information Systems team.

You will design, develop, and maintain applications, data-processing workflows, data warehouse solutions, and analytics systems with emphasis on document and data extraction, processing, transformation, validation, integration, and automation. The role requires hands-on experience with Python, ETL/ELT processes, OCR/document parsing, and delivering reliable, scalable data

Qualifications

• Experience developing Python applications with modular design and secure practices.
• Experience transforming and loading data from relational databases.
• Experience extracting data from PDFs/text using OCR or regex.
• Experience developing ETL/ELT workflows and system integration.
• Experience implementing logging, testing, monitoring for reliability.
• Ability to analyze user needs and design maintainable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and maintain applications and data workflows.
• Create data warehouse solutions and analytics systems.
• Automate document and data extraction, processing, and validation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and technical staff to implement solutions.
• Ensure production reliability through logging and monitoring.

Skills

Python development

Data transformation

Document processing

ETL/ELT

Production monitoring

System design

Tools

SQL

Oracle

OCR

Job description

The Commission is seeking a Software Engineering and Data Automation Specialist who will work within the Information Systems team of the Office of Administration and Technology. The incumbent will design, develop, integrate, and maintain applications, data-processing workflows, data warehouse solutions, and analytics systems, with an emphasis on document and data extraction, processing, transformation, validation, integration, and automation.

Specialized Experience:

Software Development: Experience developing and maintaining production Python applications using modular design, source control, testing, documentation, and secure development practices. Data Processing and Transformation: Experience using relational databases to transform, validate, reconcile, and load data, and translating business requirements and documented coding rules into maintainable software. Document Processing: Experience extracting and processing information from PDFs, text documents, or scanned images using text parsing, regular expressions, OCR, or comparable techniques, with attention to document structure, context, and accuracy. Automation and Integration: Experience developing and supporting ETL/ELT or automated data-processing workflows and integrating applications, databases, APIs, or other enterprise systems. Production Reliability: Experience implementing logging, exception handling, automated testing, monitoring, and recovery procedures, and troubleshooting application, database, or data-quality issues. Collaboration and System Design: Experience analyzing user needs, designing maintainable technical solutions, documenting business logic and system behavior, and working with technical staff and subject-matter experts.

Competencies:

Attention to Detail - Performs work thoroughly and accurately, with careful attention to detail. Customer Service - Assesses customer needs, provides effective assistance, resolves issues, and delivers quality service. Decision Making - Makes sound, objective decisions and takes appropriate action to achieve organizational goals. Information Management - Identifies, gathers, organizes, and maintains information and information systems effectively. Interpersonal Skills - Builds effective working relationships and communicates with courtesy, tact, empathy, and professionalism. Oral Communication - Clearly communicates information, findings, recommendations, and viewpoints and effectively persuades others when appropriate. Problem Solving - Identifies problems, evaluates constraints, and develops practical solutions using available technology and resources. Teamwork - Promotes cooperation, trust, and team commitment while working effectively with others to achieve shared goals. Technical Competence - Applies job‑related technical knowledge and experience to perform duties, evaluate technical information, and provide technical guidance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants with the following areas of experience: Oracle databases, SQL and PL/SQL development, data modeling, query optimization, and enterprise data integration. Advanced document processing, including OCR, layout analysis, context‑preserving segmentation, and extraction from varied or complex document formats. Applied machine learning, natural‑language processing, or LLM‑based information extraction, including evaluation of accuracy, error analysis, and workflows for human review. Locally hosted AI models or application deployment in air‑gapped, restricted‑network, or other controlled environments. Data warehouses, business intelligence, analytics, and application support, including tools such as ODI, OAS/OBIEE, Oracle APEX, or comparable platforms. AI‑enabled database and application capabilities, including vector search or integration of models through APIs, where relevant to document processing and data analysis.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The selected applicant must reside in or relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area. This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service. All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non‑selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed. Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF‑306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre‑employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non‑citizens can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/non-citizens For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/fil