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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Principal AI Data Engineer - **Company:** General Dynamics Information Technology - **Location:** Arlington, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $174,250.0 - $235,750.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Airflow, Code Review, Computer Programming, Continuous Integration, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Python (Programming Language), Linux System Administration, Performance Tuning, Cloud Services, Search Technologies, Software Engineering, SQL Databases, Workflow Management Systems, Data Storage Technologies, Large Language Models, Database Optimization, Indexer, Git, Event Driven Architecture, Information Technology, Data Lakehouse, Software Version Control, Data Pipelines, Microservices - **Published:** August 15, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/B46A0ACE48FE4CAAB06C74E79F6E0847/job/ ## About the Role Apache Airflow,Database Optimization,Extract Transform Load (ETL),Git,Structured Query Language (SQL) Experience: 10 + years of related experience, * Experience with Apache Airflow for workflow orchestration. * Strong programming skills in Python. * Experience withElasticSearch/OpenSearch for data indexing and search functionalities. * Understanding of vector databases, embedding models, and vector search for AI applications. * Expertisein 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., * Clearance:CurrentTS/SCIClearancewith 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 ** ## 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)., 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., * 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 usingElasticSearch/OpenSearch, including indexing strategies, schema mappings, and relevance/performance optimization. * Enable low-latency retrieval for AI inference and RAG applications byoptimizingdata access patterns, caching approaches, and index refresh strategies. * Collaborate withanalytic teamsto 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. ## Related Videos - [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) - [Optimizing Discovery: PostgreSQL's Role in Transforming GetYourGuide's Search](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1647-optimizing-discovery-postgresql-s-role-in-transforming-getyourguide-s-search) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Dynamic Entities in .NET: Building Low-Code Systems on Top of Entity Framework Core](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100218-dynamic-entities-in-net-building-low-code-systems-on-top-of-entity-framework-core) - [AI Model Management Life Circles: ML Ops For Generative AI Models From Research to Deployment](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1152-ai-model-management-life-circles-ml-ops-for-generative-ai-models-from-research-to-deployment) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [MLOps And AI Driven Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/82-mlops-and-ai-driven-development) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Got AI ideas but no money? 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