Navy Federal Credit Union currently does not provide sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
The Senior Data Engineer is an experienced technical lead responsible for accelerating NFCU’s transition to AI-enabled data engineering by applying modern AI engineering, data engineering, and intelligent automation practices across the enterprise delivery lifecycle. This role will design and implement scalable data engineering patterns, reusable automation frameworks, and autonomous or human-guided AI agents that reduce manual effort, improve engineering productivity, strengthen delivery quality, and advance an AI-enabled data engineering SDLC across planning, architecture, design, development, testing, deployment, monitoring, and production support.
The Senior Data Engineer will lead the practical adoption of Generative AI, Agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Lakehouse and Medallion architectural patterns. The role will automate repeatable engineering activities and establish secure, governed, and reusable AI-first engineering standards. It requires hands-on expertise with Microsoft Foundry, Azure AI services, Databricks Mosaic AI, LangChain, LangGraph, vector search technologies, agent orchestration frameworks, Apache Spark, Python, SQL, Databricks, and Microsoft Fabric to deliver reliable, observable, and production-ready data engineering and AI automation solutions.
Responsibilities- Lead the design, development, and deployment of AI-enabled data engineering accelerators, reusable frameworks, and intelligent agent-based solutions that automate and optimize activities across the data engineering lifecycle.
- Apply Generative AI, Agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector search technologies, and agent orchestration frameworks to automate data ingestion, transformation, validation, testing, metadata generation, lineage documentation, reconciliation, monitoring, and production support processes.
- Design and implement scalable Lakehouse and Medallion architecture patterns using Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Apache Spark, Python, SQL, and modern cloud-based data integration and analytics technologies.
- Establish AI-first engineering standards, design patterns, reusable prompts, agent frameworks, and governance practices that enable secure, responsible, and scalable adoption of AI across enterprise data engineering teams.
- Develop and optimize production-ready data pipelines and automation capabilities with a strong focus on reliability, observability, data quality, reconciliation, resiliency, monitoring, alerting, and service-level objective adherence.
- Collaborate with data architects, platform engineering teams, DevSecOps, product owners, governance teams, and business stakeholders to translate strategic business needs and technical requirements into scalable, maintainable, and secure solutions.
- Evaluate emerging AI and data engineering technologies, identify high-value enterprise use cases, and recommend adoption strategies aligned with NFCU architecture, information security, governance, risk management, and operational standards.
- Lead the implementation of Agile delivery practices, CI/CD automation, test engineering, deployment strategies, operational readiness, production support, and continuous improvement for AI-enabled data engineering solutions.
- Mentor engineers, guide implementation decisions, promote engineering excellence, and drive consistent adoption of secure, governed, and measurable AI-enabled delivery improvements.
- Ensure the security, integrity, traceability, and compliance of data systems and automation solutions in alignment with Navy Federal, industry engineering, information security, data governance, and regulatory expectations.
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Engineering, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Advanced hands-on experience in data engineering using Apache Spark, Python, SQL, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, and modern cloud-native data and analytics technologies.
- Experience designing and implementing scalable batch, near real-time, and real-time data pipelines within Lakehouse and Medallion architecture environments.
- Experience developing AI-enabled data engineering accelerators, developer productivity tools, intelligent assistants, reusable frameworks, and automation capabilities that improve software delivery and operational efficiency.
- Hands-on experience applying Generative AI, Agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector search technologies, agent orchestration frameworks, and related AI engineering capabilities.
- Experience with Microsoft Foundry, Azure AI Services, Databricks Mosaic AI, or comparable AI development platforms for building secure, scalable, and production-ready AI-enabled solutions.
- Strong understanding of data quality, testing, validation, reconciliation, metadata management, data governance, lineage, observability, monitoring, alerting, and production support practices.
- Working knowledge of DevSecOps, Azure DevOps, CI/CD automation, Agile delivery methodologies, test engineering, deployment practices, operational readiness, and site reliability principles.
- Ability to design secure, scalable, reusable, and governed engineering patterns that support enterprise data platforms and analytics modernization.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to engineering teams, business stakeholders, and technology leaders.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Engineering, Analytics, or a related discipline.
- 7 to 10 years of experience delivering advanced data engineering capabilities across cloud platforms, big data ecosystems, Lakehouse architecture, and governed enterprise data platforms.
- Experience modernizing legacy data engineering processes into cloud-native, AI-ready, automated, and governed delivery models.
- Knowledge of financial services data governance, regulatory traceability, audit readiness, data privacy, information security, and operational risk management expectations.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor engineering teams, influence technical standards, drive adoption of emerging technologies, and deliver measurable productivity and operational improvements.
- Knowledge of Navy Federal Credit Union instructions, standards, and procedures.
Additional Information
Hours:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Location:
- 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180
Navy Federal provides much more than a job. We provide a meaningful career experience, including a culture that is energized, engaged and committed; and fierce appreciation for our teams, who are rewarded with highly competitive pay and generous benefits and perks.
Our approach to careers is simple yet powerful: Make our mission your passion.
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Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Accommodations: If you need accommodation or assistance for a qualifying condition to complete the online application (or during any stage of the hiring process), you can contact Navy Federal's Medical Accommodations team at [email protected] or by calling 1-888-503-6013. This team cannot provide any information on job postings or application status.
Disclaimers: Navy Federal reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower grade level based on business need. An assessment may be required to compete for this position. Job postings are subject to close early or extend out longer than the anticipated closing date at the hiring team’s discretion based on qualified applicant volume. Navy Federal Credit Union assesses market data to establish salary ranges that enable us to remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range, based on your experience, location and market position. For additional details regarding compensation and benefits, review the Benefits page of the Navy Federal Career Site.
Protect Yourself from Job Scams: Navy Federal Credit Union jobs are posted on our career site, jobs.navyfederal.org and reputable job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). We do not post jobs on social media marketplaces, messaging apps or unverified websites. We will never ask candidates for payment, bank details or personal financial information during the hiring process.
Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Navy Federal policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent education, training, and experience.
- Advanced hands-on data engineering experience with Apache Spark, Python, SQL, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, and modern cloud-native data and analytics technologies.
- Experience designing and implementing batch, near real-time, and real-time data pipelines in Lakehouse and Medallion architecture environments.
- Experience developing AI-enabled data engineering accelerators, developer productivity tools, intelligent assistants, reusable frameworks, and automation capabilities.
- Hands-on experience with Generative AI, Agentic AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, vector search, agent orchestration frameworks, and related AI engineering capabilities.
- Experience with Microsoft Foundry, Azure AI Services, Databricks Mosaic AI, or comparable AI development platforms.
- Strong understanding of data quality, testing, validation, reconciliation, metadata management, governance, lineage, observability, monitoring, alerting, and production support.
- Working knowledge of DevSecOps, Azure DevOps, CI/CD automation, Agile delivery, test engineering, deployment practices, operational readiness, and site reliability principles.
- Ability to design secure, scalable, reusable, and governed engineering patterns for enterprise data platforms and analytics modernization.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
- Master's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Engineering, Analytics, or a related discipline.
- Seven to ten years of experience delivering advanced data engineering across cloud platforms, big data ecosystems, Lakehouse architecture, and governed enterprise data platforms.
- Experience modernizing legacy data engineering processes into cloud-native, AI-ready, automated, and governed delivery models.
- Knowledge of financial services data governance, regulatory traceability, audit readiness, data privacy, information security, and operational risk management.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor engineering teams, influence technical standards, adopt emerging technologies, and deliver measurable productivity improvements.
- Knowledge of Navy Federal Credit Union instructions, standards, and procedures.
Navy Federal Credit Union Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Navy Federal Credit Union and has not been reviewed or approved by Navy Federal Credit Union.
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Retirement Support — A pension alongside a strong 401(k) match and additional retirement programs makes long‑term value a standout element of the total package. This combination is positioned as a differentiator among private employers.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage is complemented by on‑site health services at major campuses. Wellness resources and typical offerings like an EAP broaden the health support available.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave, plus adoption and surrogacy assistance, indicate meaningful support for growing families. Education assistance further extends family and life‑stage support.
Navy Federal Credit Union Insights
What We Do
Navy Federal Credit Union is the world's largest credit union with over 12 million members, over $160 billion in assets and over 22,000 employees. As a credit union, we have members, not customers. At our campuses in Vienna, VA, Pensacola, FL and Winchester, VA, and in our more than 350 branches, we serve the men and women of the Armed Forces, Department of Defense, veterans and their families. We deliver world-class service, rooted in the belief that it is an honor and privilege to serve our members. We are committed to providing our members outstanding financial products and services. Navy Federal offers a career, not just a job. We are proud of the robust Total Rewards package we offer to our employees, including competitive salaries, incentive programs, comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, retirement plans with employer match, award-winning training programs, professional development programs, tuition assistance, paid leave, and work/life programs. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal opportunity employer. Android™ is a trademark of Google, Inc. iPhone® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. iPad® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. App Store(SM) is a service mark of Apple, Inc. Message and data rates may apply. FORTUNE and 100 Best Companies to Work For are registered trademarks of Time Inc., and are used under license. FORTUNE and Time Inc., are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Navy Federal Credit Union. For more info, visit navyfederal.org
