> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3555451-lead-data-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3555451-lead-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). --- # lead data engineer - **Company:** Lockheed Martins - **Location:** Riverdale, GA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $131,100.0 - $243,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Unity 3d, Artificial Intelligence, Airflow, Data Analysis, Systems Engineering, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Code Review, Computer Programming, Data Cleansing, Data Integration, Information Management, Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Metadata, Performance Tuning, Raw Data, Software Engineering, SQL Databases, Enterprise Data Management, Data Processing, Scripting, Enterprise Software Applications, Autoscaling, Apache Spark, Software Application Programming, Caching, Agentic-AI, Data Lakes, Pyspark, Information Technology, Data Lineage, Apache Nifi, Data Management, Data Pipelines, Cisco, Service Stack, Databricks - **Published:** October 2, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerbuilder.com/job-details/lead-data-engineer-riverdale-nd--6cf81b2e-eddb-49da-a666-25fd2b88ba11 ## About the Role * Bachelor's (or higher) in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Information Management, or a related field. * 7 + years of large-scale data architecture/engineering experience, with at least 4 years focused on productizing data assets for enterprise consumption. * Significant experience developing ontologies. * Demonstrated ability to probe for and understand core customer needs as opposed to surface-level needs. * Strong programming skills in Python and SQL; proficient with Spark (PySpark/Scala) and deep experience with AI-assisted development.. * Experience with data-integration/orchestration tools (e.g., NiFi, Airflow) for pipeline development. * Must be a US citizen. Desired Skills * Experience with Databricks (Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Jobs/Workflows). * Experience with federated data models and ontologies. * Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills for cross-functional teamwork and internal-customer support. * Master's degree or advanced technical training (optional). * Databricks certifications (Data Engineer Associate/Professional) or comparable big-data credentials. * Experience developing applications leveraging genAI., Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agents, Best Practices, Caching, Cisco Unity, Cloud Computing, Code Reviews, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Cryptography, Customer Support/Service, Data Cleaning, Data Management, Data Modeling, Data Processing, Data Science, Ecosystems, Engineering, Enterprise Applications, Interpersonal Skills, Machine Learning, Mentoring, Metadata, Metrics, Needs Assessment, Ontology, Performance Metrics, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Product Planning, Python Programming/Scripting Language, SQL (Structured Query Language), Scala Programming Language, Service Level Agreement (SLA), Software Development, Systems Engineering, Talent Management, Taxonomies, Team Player, United States Citizen ## Description Join Lockheed Martin's Data & AI Enablement organization and accelerate the company's AI transformation. As a lead data engineer, you will design, build, and productize data assets that power AI agents, analytics, and enterprise applications across the Enterprise Data Ecosystem (EDE). In addition, you will lead the development, governance, and expansion of the enterprise ontology, ensuring consistent semantic definitions and relationships across all data products., * Lead end-to-end development of corporate and functional data models and pipelines - from raw data ingestion from source systems to gold-layer entities - so that they can be productized as certified data products. * Define product vision, roadmap, SLAs, usage metrics, and continuous-improvement cycles for all data assets. * Develop, maintain, and govern the Enterprise ontology (concepts, relationships, taxonomies) and deploy it for use by AI agents and analytics applications across the corporation. * Ensure data models deliver clean, well-documented feature sets for machine-learning pipelines; work with data scientists to embed model-ready attributes (feature stores, lineage metadata). * Implement security, governance, and compliance (encryption, fine-grained access, data lineage) via Unity Catalog and cloud IAM * Collaborate with team architects to validate designs. * Optimize Databricks performance with auto-scaling, caching, and Delta Lake tuning. * Establish standards, best practices, and certification processes for data products and ontology assets. * Mentor and develop engineering talent through code reviews, hands-on workshops, paired-programming, and defined growth paths/competency matrices. * Advise on the technology stack used in team operations. ## 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) - [Fully Orchestrating Databricks from Airflow](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/336-fully-orchestrating-databricks-from-airflow) - [PySpark - Combining Machine Learning & Big Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/44-pyspark-combining-machine-learning-big-data) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [Empowering Retail Through Applied Machine Learning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/976-empowering-retail-through-applied-machine-learning) ## Related Articles - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Top Big Data Technologies That You Need to Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/108-top-big-data-technologies-that-you-need-to-know) - [Making Data Warehouses Fast: A Developer’s Story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/107-making-data-warehouses-fast-a-developer-s-story) - [Graph and AI Trends 2026: Why Is AI Running but Not Yet Delivering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/680-graph-and-ai-trends-2026-why-is-ai-running-but-not-yet-delivering)