> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2493865-senior-data-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2493865-senior-data-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Data Engineer - **Company:** Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation - **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $150,000.0 - $200,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Data Analysis, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, Cloud Engineering, Information Systems, Data Architecture, Information Engineering, Data Files, Data Governance, Data Infrastructure, Data Integration, Data Transformation, Data Warehousing, Graph Database, Information Lifecycle Management, Interoperability, Machine Learning, Metadata, Meta-Data Management, Data Streaming, Technical Data Management Systems, Unstructured Data, Enterprise Data Management, Google Cloud, Data Ingestion, Large Language Models, Generative AI, HybridCloud, Data Lakes, Information Technology, Enterprise Integration, Machine Learning Operations, Data Pipelines - **Published:** August 31, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9129636/senior-data-engineer ## About the Role You are a curious, innovative, and solutions-driven data engineering expert who thrives on turning complex data into meaningful insights and mission impact. You enjoy designing scalable data architectures, building efficient data pipelines, and enabling emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and knowledge graphs to solve challenging problems. With strong collaboration and communication skills, you work effectively with stakeholders, engineers, and analysts to deliver data-driven solutions that support informed decision-making and operational success., * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related discipline. * Minimum of 9 years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, analytics, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, or related technical fields. * Demonstrated expertise in: + Data modeling + Ontologies + Taxonomies + Metadata management + Data transformation and translation + Data integration * Experience designing and implementing: + Data lakes + Data meshes + Data warehouses + Knowledge graphs * Experience building data pipelines and workflow automation solutions. * Experience supporting cloud and hybrid-cloud environments. * Strong understanding of data architecture, interoperability, data governance, and data lifecycle management. * Experience supporting AI/ML initiatives and emerging technologies including LLMs and agentic architectures. * Demonstrated ability to capture stakeholder requirements and translate them into technical data solutions. * Active TS/SCI security clearance., * Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, USSPACECOM, Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or National Security Space organizations. * Knowledge of classified government networks, systems, and mission environments. * Experience supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA), intelligence, cyber, command and control, or mission operations data environments. * Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. * Experience with data governance frameworks and enterprise data management practices. * Experience implementing semantic technologies and graph-based analytics. * Knowledge of AI/ML operationalization, model deployment, and data engineering pipelines supporting advanced analytics. Primary Work Location: Work is expected to be fully onsite in Colorado Springs, CO. The selected candidate must be able to support in-person program, customer, and technical coordination activities as required. ## Description The Senior Data Engineer serves as a lead-level Subject Matter Expert (SME) responsible for designing, developing, and implementing enterprise data architectures, data integration solutions, and advanced analytical capabilities supporting mission-critical operations. This role supports the collection, transformation, organization, and exploitation of complex data across classified and unclassified environments. The successful candidate will possess expertise in data engineering, data modeling, ontologies, taxonomies, metadata management, data transformation, and modern AI-enabled data architectures. The position requires experience designing and implementing scalable data solutions across cloud and hybrid environments utilizing data lakes, data meshes, data warehouses, knowledge graphs, and emerging artificial intelligence technologies including Large Language Models (LLMs) and agentic architectures. The Senior Data Engineer will work closely with mission stakeholders, engineers, analysts, and leadership to translate operational requirements into data pipelines, workflows, and decision-support capabilities that enhance mission effectiveness and strategic decision-making. This position is contingent upon contract award, with performance anticipated to begin on or about September 15 th , 2026., * Serve as a technical SME for enterprise data architecture, data engineering, and advanced analytics initiatives. * Analyze mission and operational requirements and translate them into scalable data pipelines, workflows, and integration solutions. * Design, develop, and maintain enterprise data architectures supporting structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data environments. * Develop and implement data models, ontologies, taxonomies, metadata frameworks, and data governance standards. * Engineer data ingestion, transformation, translation, normalization, and enrichment processes across multiple data sources. * Design and support data lakes, data meshes, data warehouses, and knowledge graph solutions. * Develop and maintain metadata tagging strategies to improve data discoverability, lineage, quality, and interoperability. * Support the integration and transformation of diverse message formats, schemas, protocols, and data standards. * Design and optimize cloud-native and hybrid-cloud data architectures. * Evaluate and support implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, including: + Large Language Models (LLMs) + Generative AI solutions + Agentic architectures + Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks + Knowledge graph-enabled analytics * Collaborate with mission stakeholders to identify data requirements and define technical solutions that support operational objectives. * Develop technical documentation, architecture diagrams, data flows, and implementation strategies. * Support analytical and decision-support initiatives utilizing complex data sets and predictive insights. * Prepare technical briefings, reports, and recommendations for government leadership and stakeholders. * Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions that improve data accessibility, usability, and mission impact. ## Related Videos - [A Data Mesh needs Open Metadata](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/505-a-data-mesh-needs-open-metadata) - [Empowering Retail Through Applied Machine Learning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/976-empowering-retail-through-applied-machine-learning) - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [Introduction to TXT](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/30-introduction-to-txt) - [Parquet, Delta, Iceberg & Ducklake - An introduction for developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100075-parquet-delta-iceberg-ducklake-an-introduction-for-developers) - [Data Science, ML & AI in the Oil and Gas Industry at NDT Global - Dr. Katja Träumner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1308-data-science-ml-ai-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry-at-ndt-global-dr-katja-traumner) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production)