Senior Data Engineer
Govcio
Fairfax, VA · Posted September 4, 2026
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Where Fairfax, VA ranks
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November 2026
- #5Cities with the most jobs that need no experience in the Mid-Atlantic2.0% · of 84
- #6Cities with the most jobs that need no experience in the Southeast2.0% · of 84
- #8Cities with the most hybrid jobs in the Southeast15% · of 84
- #8Best cities for junior jobs in Virginia36% · of 26
- #9Cities with the most jobs that need no experience2.0% · of 100
- #12Best college towns for junior jobs in the Mid-Atlantic37% · of 55
Rankings about data & analytics jobs
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Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 149 open senior data engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $137,000 to $184,500 and the median is $152,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among database architects, AI is already used for a large share of the tasks. Measured exposure for database architects: 58% (high).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
GovCIO is currently hiring for a Senior Data Engineer with an active Secret clearance to serve as an on-site technical resource, responsible for developing, maintaining, and modernizing data systems across low-side and high-side enclaves. This position will be located in Merrifield, VA and will be a hybrid position.
Responsibilities
This role focuses on improving performance, reliability, and scalability for data-centric applications. The engineer will design and optimize data pipelines, manage enterprise databases, and lead modernization efforts using cloud-capable technologies while ensuring compliance with strict security and operational constraints.
Key Responsibilities: • Develop, maintain, and modernize low-side and high-side database environments, ensuring stability, performance, and scalability. • Design, optimize, and troubleshoot NiFi-based data pipelines supporting high-volume mission workflows. • Administer, tune, and support Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server databases across secure enclaves. • Enhance backend performance for applications by improving data flows, query efficiency, and system integration. • Support Linux and Windows server environments used for database operations, data workflows, and pipeline infrastructure. • Apply cloud platform experience (AWS and/or Azure) to support modernization, migration, or hybrid data processing efforts as permitted by mission requirements. • Perform on-site diagnostics, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to resolve complex data and system issues. • Collaborate closely with development teams, system administrators, and government stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission goals. • Maintain thorough documentation of technical processes, data models, configurations, and workflows. • Ensure all activities adhere to security, compliance, and data handling requirements in classified environments.
Qualifications
High School with 10+ years of application development (or commensurate experience) Clearance Required: Secret
Required Qualifications: • Active Secret clearance enabling access to low side and high side systems. • Hands-on experience with Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server database administration, tuning, and optimization. • Strong proficiency in Apache NiFi pipeline development and maintenance. • Experience with Linux and Windows server systems in enterprise or secure environments. • Cloud platform experience (AWS and/or Azure) supporting modernization and migration efforts. • Experience working within a classified Government environment. • Experience working with Government product owners and stakeholders. • Experience working on an agile development team. • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex data pipeline and database issues in secure onsite environments. • Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications: • Experience working with generative AI such as Claude Code, Copilot, and ChatGPT. Experience supporting mission systems or sensitive data environments within federal agencies. • Knowledge of ETL methodologies, data modeling, and performance optimization strategies. • Experience modernizing legacy data systems into cloud, virtualized, or containerized architectures within classified environments. • Relevant technical certifications (Oracle DBA, MCSE, AWS/Azure certs, Linux admin certs). • Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and CI/CD tools. • Familiarity with secure networking, segmentation, and classified data workflows.
#tlm #tmk #dl #rt #tk #ar
Posted Salary Range
USD $130,000.00 - USD $190,000.00 /Yr.
This role focuses on improving performance, reliability, and scalability for data-centric applications. The engineer will design and optimize data pipelines, manage enterprise databases, and lead modernization efforts using cloud-capable technologies while ensuring compliance with strict security and operational constraints.
Key Responsibilities: • Develop, maintain, and modernize low-side and high-side database environments, ensuring stability, performance, and scalability. • Design, optimize, and troubleshoot NiFi-based data pipelines supporting high-volume mission workflows. • Administer, tune, and support Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server databases across secure enclaves. • Enhance backend performance for applications by improving data flows, query efficiency, and system integration. • Support Linux and Windows server environments used for database operations, data workflows, and pipeline infrastructure. • Apply cloud platform experience (AWS and/or Azure) to support modernization, migration, or hybrid data processing efforts as permitted by mission requirements. • Perform on-site diagnostics, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to resolve complex data and system issues. • Collaborate closely with development teams, system administrators, and government stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission goals. • Maintain thorough documentation of technical processes, data models, configurations, and workflows. • Ensure all activities adhere to security, compliance, and data handling requirements in classified environments.
High School with 10+ years of application development (or commensurate experience) Clearance Required: Secret
Required Qualifications: • Active Secret clearance enabling access to low side and high side systems. • Hands-on experience with Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server database administration, tuning, and optimization. • Strong proficiency in Apache NiFi pipeline development and maintenance. • Experience with Linux and Windows server systems in enterprise or secure environments. • Cloud platform experience (AWS and/or Azure) supporting modernization and migration efforts. • Experience working within a classified Government environment. • Experience working with Government product owners and stakeholders. • Experience working on an agile development team. • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex data pipeline and database issues in secure onsite environments. • Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications: • Experience working with generative AI such as Claude Code, Copilot, and ChatGPT. Experience supporting mission systems or sensitive data environments within federal agencies. • Knowledge of ETL methodologies, data modeling, and performance optimization strategies. • Experience modernizing legacy data systems into cloud, virtualized, or containerized architectures within classified environments. • Relevant technical certifications (Oracle DBA, MCSE, AWS/Azure certs, Linux admin certs). • Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and CI/CD tools. • Familiarity with secure networking, segmentation, and classified data workflows.
#tlm #tmk #dl #rt #tk #ar