SMX is seeking a Senior Data Architect to provide strategic and technical leadership for enterprise data architecture and analytics modernization efforts. This individual will design, optimize, and oversee data solutions that enable advanced analytics, business intelligence, and reporting capabilities across multiple secure environments. This role will focus on designing, developing, optimizing, and maintaining data pipelines and backend data engineering solutions that power critical analytical products used by senior FBI leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in ETL processes, SQL, Python, AWS data services, and enterprise-scale data warehousing, with strong familiarity in BI ecosystems such as MicroStrategy (Strategy), ThoughtSpot, and related tools used within the HR Reports program. The position requires close collaboration with government leads, senior data developers, BI engineers, and cross-functional analytics teams to ensure high reliability, performance, and security of data products supporting mission-critical operations.
This is a full-time position requiring on-site work five days a week at a client’s office in Washington, D.C. An active Top Secret clearance is mandatory.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Design, build, and maintain scalable, secure ETL/ELT pipelines supporting HR Reports analytics and dashboard products.
- Develop and optimize SQL-based transformations, stored procedures, and data models for high-volume enterprise datasets.
- Implement data orchestration workflows using AWS services (e.g., Glue, Lambda, Step Functions, CloudWatch).
- Ensure data quality, lineage, and integrity across multiple enterprise data sources.
- Support and enhance cloud-based warehouse environments within AWS (e.g., Redshift, S3, IAM).
- Collaborate with BI developers to ensure backend data structures meet MicroStrategy/Strategy and ThoughtSpot reporting needs.
- Troubleshoot complex data pipeline or performance issues and implement long-term remediation solutions.
- Translate government stakeholder requirements into technical specifications for new data sources and pipelines.
- Partner with Data Analysts, Data Scientists, and BI Developers to support advanced analytics and ad-hoc data requests.
- Apply data governance, security, and compliance best practices in alignment with FBI and SMX standards.
- Recommend and implement improvements to automation, data architecture, pipeline reliability, and overall performance.
- Maintain documentation for pipelines, logic, data flows, and system dependencies.
- Stay current with modern data engineering practices and AWS service enhancements relevant to pipeline automation and warehousing.
Required Skills:
- 10+ years of experience in data architecture, data warehousing, or enterprise analytics systems.
- Expert-level proficiency in SQL and data modeling
- Hands-on experience designing and implementing ETL/ELT frameworks (e.g., Apache Airflow, dbt, AWS Glue, Informatica).
- Demonstrated success architecting and optimizing large-scale BI/reporting solutions (MicroStrategy, ThoughtSpot, Power BI, Tableau).
- Strong knowledge of AWS data ecosystem (Redshift, Athena, S3, Glue, Lambda) or similar cloud environments.
- Experience defining and enforcing data governance, quality, and security standards.
- Ability to design and document end-to-end data flows and integrations between transactional and analytical systems.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Desired Skills/Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or related technical field.
- 10+ years of experience in data engineering, backend data development, or enterprise-scale ETL development.
- Experience supporting federal government IT systems or analytics programs.
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies and Jira-based workload management.
- Experience supporting or modernizing enterprise BI ecosystems.
**This position requires five days a week on site at customer location in Washington DC.
Application deadline 1-16-2026
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The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning & development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.
At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.
We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.
SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.
Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.
SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).
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What We Do
SMX is a global technology and advanced engineering provider specializing in Cloud Solutions, C5ISR, and Advanced Engineering / IT. Our tradition of delivering innovative, technical solutions dates back to 1995, however, you may know us better by one of our legacy company names: Trident Technologies, Smartronix, Datastrong, or C2S Consulting Group. With the support of OceanSound Partners, our private equity investment sponsor, we began operating as one business starting in 2019 and became SMX in 2021. We operate in close proximity to our clients around the globe and have core locations in Alabama, California, the DC Metro, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
Today, as SMX, we are one team and together empower government and commercial enterprises to become more effective, innovative, and resilient, no matter what challenges they face.
SMX offers competitive benefits, excellent work environments, and growth opportunities for our employees while continuing to expand operations and support our communities. We have more than 25 years of rapid and consistent growth with continuous recognition as an employer-of-choice technology company. In addition, we have earned coveted industry quality and business certifications; have a strong commitment to business partnerships, ethics, compliance, and sustainability; and have a multitude of premier contracting vehicles. The combination of these attributes allows us to provide sound, repeatable business solutions yet remain flexible and agile to quickly adapt to specific customer requirements.
Committed to ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction, SMX is structured around the programs and technologies we support to provide optimal and seamless operations. We have maintained a reputation for excellence, helping to assure the missions of our Department of Defense, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other Government and commercial customers.
