Data Engineer – Senior Level

Overview

The Data Engineer designs, develops, and maintains scalable data architectures and pipelines that enable advanced intelligence analysis across the Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JIOC). This role is responsible for implementing robust extract, transform, load (ETL) workflows, real-time data processing solutions, and data integration frameworks that support multi-INT datasets and mission-critical intelligence operations.

The Data Engineer ensures that all data systems adhere to Intelligence Community (IC) security, governance, and compliance standards while enabling analysts and mission partners to access reliable, high-quality, and timely intelligence data.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable and resilient data architectures capable of supporting complex intelligence missions and growing data volumes.
• Develop automated ETL and data transformation processes to ingest, normalize, and integrate data from diverse and non-standard intelligence sources.
• Build optimized data storage solutions using SQL and NoSQL technologies tailored to JIOC’s analytic requirements.
• Create and maintain batch and real-time data pipelines to provide consistent, timely access to mission-critical datasets.
• Implement data quality validation mechanisms and monitoring systems to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of intelligence data.
• Optimize database performance and data retrieval patterns to support rapid intelligence production and analyst workflows.
• Apply data governance and security best practices to ensure compliance with IC and DoD data management policies.
• Maintain detailed documentation, including data dictionaries, schema definitions, and data lineage tracking.
• Implement and maintain data security measures aligned with classification guidelines and compartmentation requirements.
• Collaborate closely with intelligence analysts, data scientists, and computer scientists to translate analytic needs into technical data solutions.
• Participate in JIOC planning conferences, technical working groups, capability development meetings, and national-level intelligence coordination forums to align data engineering solutions with mission needs.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or related technical field (preferred).

Required Skills

• Advanced expertise across multiple database technologies, including distributed storage and big data frameworks.
• Deep understanding of cloud-native architectures, serverless computing, and containerization.
• Knowledge of DoD and IC-specific cybersecurity and data protection requirements.
• Industry-recognized certifications in cloud or data technologies (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Data Engineer).
• Experience architecting, deploying, and optimizing large-scale, mission-critical data systems.
• Proven ability to solve complex data integration and engineering challenges.
• Experience leading technical teams or serving as a lead engineer on enterprise data projects.
• Ability to translate intelligence requirements into scalable, secure data architectures.
• Strong communication skills for briefing senior leadership and non-technical audiences.

Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive data engineering experience, including at least 3 years supporting intelligence or defense missions.

Bluehawk, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer/EOE Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity