Empower, Innovate, Impact! At Team A-TEK, we EMPOWER people to drive INNOVATION that IMPACTS mission!
A-TEK operates at the intersection of mission and innovation by applying our deep domain expertise across the federal markets. Embracing our digital-first strategy, A-TEK provides enhanced capabilities in application development, digital transformation, enterprise IT, and scientific services. Our solutions are designed to modernize, automate, secure, protect, and enhance the operations of our federal clients, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Our work is fueled by a passion to serve our clients’ needs and to protect the safety and welfare of Americans. That passion shapes how we nurture our most valuable asset – Our Employees. A-TEK actively cultivates the talent that drives our success and fosters a creative, challenging, and mission-driven work environment for current and future employees.
Senior Data Engineer (AWS & Azure)
Position Overview
The Senior Data Engineer supports mission-critical scientific and research programs by applying a holistic approach to organizing, managing, and governing large and complex data assets. This role is responsible for implementing a unified data access and storage strategy that enables secure, scalable, and compliant use of data while supporting cloud migration and modernization initiatives.
Working within a regulated federal environment, the engineer ensures that research and operational data are accessible, trustworthy, reproducible, and protected, enabling advanced analytics, modeling, and evidence-based decision-making across scientific, engineering, and programmatic stakeholders.
This position is on-site Rockville, MD and may allow limited hybrid commute capability over time. Preference will be given to candidates based in the Washington, DC metro area. Ability to obtain and retain a public trust clearance is required.
This full-time position is initially estimated to be a 6-month engagement that may develop into an extended role.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and operate scalable data platforms and pipelines in AWS and Azure to support scientific, research, and operational workloads
- Develop and maintain ETL/ELT workflows that integrate structured data from diverse systems, instruments, and authoritative data sources
- Architect unified data storage and access solutions that improve discoverability, interoperability, and long-term stewardship of scientific data
- Support cloud migration efforts by modernizing legacy data systems and enabling secure cloud-native analytics
- Design, optimize, and maintain relational databases and SQL-based solutions in support of data-intensive research activities
- Ensure data performance, reliability, and cost efficiency through query optimization, schema design, and pipeline tuning
- Collaborate with application and platform teams supporting GraphQL-based microservices and federated architectures
- Implement data quality, validation, lineage, and monitoring controls to support data integrity, auditability, and reproducibility
- Collaborate with engineers, DevSecOps teams, data scientists, and government stakeholders in Agile delivery environments
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including system architectures, data flow diagrams, and operational runbooks
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in data engineering, database engineering, or ETL development
- Demonstrated experience delivering production-grade data solutions in AWS and Azure environments
- Experience designing pipelines that support microservices or API-driven architectures
- Strong experience with relational database platforms (PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, or similar)
- Advanced SQL expertise, including performance tuning, validation, and complex analytical queries
- Experience designing and orchestrating ETL/ELT pipelines in support of enterprise or scientific data platforms
- Proficiency in Python, Java, or Scala for data processing and automation
- Experience with source control, CI/CD pipelines, and Agile or iterative development practices
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document complex technical systems for federal audiences
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience supporting federal, scientific, or research-focused programs
- Familiarity with data governance, metadata management, and data stewardship principles
- Experience with cloud-native data services, including:
- AWS: S3, Redshift, RDS, Glue, Athena
- Azure: Data Factory, Synapse, Azure SQL, Azure Data Lake
- Experience with data orchestration and transformation tools (Airflow, dbt, ADF, Glue)
- Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM/Bicep)
- Familiarity with modern data architectures such as data lakes, lakehouse, and data warehouse platforms, including Databricks
- Experience with vector databases or advanced analytical data stores
- Experience working in regulated or secure environments (e.g., FedRAMP, FISMA, NIST 800-53)
- Experience mentoring technical staff or leading data architecture and design efforts
Compensation
- Salary Range: $150,000 – $175,000 annually (commensurate with experience)
- Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with employer match; paid time off; professional development opportunities.
#LI-OnSite
Candidates may use tools (including AI) for proofreading or formatting; however, using any tool to fabricate, exaggerate, or misrepresent qualifications, experience, or work product is not permitted. We may assess application materials for job-related technical depth, internal consistency, and demonstrated hands-on experience, including through follow-up questions, skills assessments, or reference checks.
Misrepresentation or falsification may result in removal from further consideration. Candidates who need a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process may request one.
A-TEK, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or Vietnam era or other protected Veteran status. Verification of education may be requested before or during the hiring process.
Top Skills
What We Do
A-TEK, and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Mackson Consulting | an A-TEK Company, are woman-owned small businesses with more than a 23-year history providing science and technology innovation. As a trusted services and solutions provider, we are a proud partner to U.S. Federal Civilian, Federal Health, and Homeland Security customers.
A-TEK, and its subsidiary, Mackson Consulting, provides high-end IT services and solutions, coupled with a scientific staffing capability that supports health and national security missions. Our customers include U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)), Department of Commerce (DoC), Department of Justice(DoJ), Veteran Affairs (VA), and the Library of Congress (Library).
A-TEK maintains its competitiveness by applying domain expertise across the federal markets. We provide enhanced capabilities in application development, enterprise IT, and scientific services that optimize, modernize, secure, protect, improve, and comply with customers’ needs.
A-TEK's program engagement model employs methodologies and strategies based on PMBOK and our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality assurance processes to successfully meet schedule, budget and performance objectives.
A-TEK, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or Vietnam era or other protected Veteran status.
Contract Vehicles:
NIH CIO-SP3 IT Services - HHSN316201200006W
GSA Schedule 70 - Information Technology Products and Services: GS-35F-0680K
GSA Schedule 6211 - VA Affairs-Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing: V77P-7135
GSA Schedule 874 MOBIS - GS-10F-0099Y
