Senior Data Engineer

KBR is seeking a Senior Data Engineer (Lakehouse & Application Development) to design, develop, and optimize modern data platforms and web-based applications supporting Department of Defense Science & Engineering (S&E) initiatives.

This role combines backend web development and data engineering to design, build, and sustain an on-premises data platform supporting Science & Engineering (S&E) data integration, management, and analysis.

The ideal candidate is a proactive technical leader who can independently evaluate requirements, develop backend and data-processing solutions, and solve complex engineering challenges involving large datasets, distributed systems, incremental updates, and constrained resources., * Design, develop, and maintain web-based applications and APIs using Python and Django.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate mission needs into scalable technical solutions.
• Develop ETL/ELT pipelines with strong testing, logging, and exception-handling practices (pytest).
• Design memory-efficient Python solutions using streaming, generators, incremental processing, and resource-conscious techniques.
• Build and optimize dbt models, data transformation workflows, and Lakehouse data-processing pipelines.
• Design and maintain scalable Lakehouse architecture supporting S&E data integration, governance, and analysis.
• Develop Python-based data processing solutions for tabular, text, image, video, and geospatial datasets.
• Evaluate technical alternatives and recommend architectures, technologies, and implementation approaches.
• Design and optimize Apache Iceberg tables using effective partitioning, data layout, and maintenance strategies to support efficient querying and large-scale data processing.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in data engineering, software engineering, data platform engineering, or related fields.
• 5+ years of direct Python development experience, including Django web application development.
• Strong SQL and data modeling experience, including normalization, star schemas, and related modeling techniques.
• Experience with large-scale analytical table formats such as Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, or similar solutions.
• Experience developing production-quality software and data solutions, including testing, documentation, monitoring, and maintainability.
• Experience designing and implementing robust ETL pipelines, including distributed and parallel processing, workflow orchestration, fault tolerance, error handling, and idempotent processing.
• Proficiency with Git and modern version control practices, including branching, merging, code review, and collaborative development workflows.
• Experience with Power BI or Tableau
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and provide sound technical recommendations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance.

Desired:

• Experience with dbt, Databricks, or similar technologies.
• Experience with workflow orchestration and task-processing technologies such as Airflow, Dagster, or Celery.
• Experience with distributed processing frameworks such as Spark, Dask, or Ray.
• Experience processing and optimizing datasets exceeding 100GB.
• Experience solving performance, scalability, and resource-constrained data engineering challenges.
• Experience developing, deploying, and operating containerized applications using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes in cloud and on-premises environments.
• Experience serving as a technical lead or solution architect.
• Python
• Django / Django REST Framework
• SQL / PostgreSQL
• dbt
• Apache Iceberg
• Microsoft Fabric or Databricks
• Spark, Dask, or Ray
• Dagster, Airflow, or Celery
• Docker / Kubernetes
• Active Secret clearance

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let’s shape the future together.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

• undefined

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBRAt KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world’s highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role - protecting our national security.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.
• Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.
• Impactful Work: Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.