Senior Data Engineer

Thank you for considering IT Concepts dba Kentro, where innovation drives opportunity and collaboration leads to success. Our dynamic community of experts is fully committed to advancing our customers' missions, fostering professional growth, and making a positive impact on our communities.

By joining our supportive community, you will find that Kentro is dedicated to your personal and professional development. Together, we can drive meaningful change, spark innovation, and achieve extraordinary milestones.

Kentro is hiring for Senior Data Engineer to support the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Chief Data and Analytics Office (CDAO) under the EDAT program in Fayetteville, NC. The Senior Data Engineer will design, develop, integrate, and maintain enterprise data solutions supporting USASOC's data analytics, operational decision-making, and mission objectives. This position will work across data engineering, analytics, software development, cloud, and enterprise technology teams to build reliable and scalable data pipelines and data products.

The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on experience with modern data engineering technologies, distributed data processing, cloud platforms, databases, APIs, and data integration, along with the ability to independently solve complex technical problems in a DoD environment.

Location: Onsite in Fayetteville, NC

This Job Description reflects the primary duties of the role; however, it is not intended to be all‑inclusive. Team members may be asked to take on additional responsibilities in alignment with customer expectations, business needs, and Kentro’s culture of collaboration and adaptability. 

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable enterprise data pipelines and data processing solutions.
• Develop ETL/ELT processes to ingest, transform, validate, and deliver data from diverse sources.
• Integrate structured and unstructured data from enterprise, operational, cloud, and mission systems.
• Develop data models, schemas, transformations, and data architectures that support CDAO requirements.
• Build and optimize data pipelines using Python, SQL, Spark, PySpark, or other appropriate technologies.
• Develop solutions for batch and near-real-time data processing and integration.
• Design and implement data ingestion and integration patterns for databases, APIs, applications, files, and other data sources.
• Perform data profiling, cleansing, normalization, validation, and quality control.
• Develop automated processes to monitor data pipelines and identify failures or data-quality issues.
• Troubleshoot complex data engineering, integration, performance, and system issues.
• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, software engineers, architects, Palantir Foundry engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and government stakeholders.
• Support integration and operationalization of analytical models and data products.
• Develop and maintain data documentation, data-flow diagrams, technical specifications, and architecture documentation.
• Implement appropriate data security, access controls, governance, and protection mechanisms.
• Support data governance, metadata management, lineage, and data-quality initiatives.
• Optimize data pipelines and processing environments for scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, sprint planning, technical reviews, demonstrations, and requirements discussions.
• Translate mission and business requirements into technical data-engineering solutions.
• Support cloud-based data engineering capabilities and enterprise data platforms.
• Participate in development, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Apply DevSecOps and CI/CD practices to data engineering workflows where applicable.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior and journeyman-level data engineers.
• Support technical planning and provide recommendations to government and program leadership.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Perform other engineering and technical duties as assigned.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in data engineering, software engineering, data architecture, or a related technical discipline.
• Technical Skills: 
  • AIT II or higher Certification required
  • Strong hands-on experience developing enterprise data pipelines and data integration solutions.
  • Advanced proficiency with Python and SQL.
  • Experience with distributed data processing technologies such as Apache Spark/PySpark.
  • Experience with relational and non-relational databases.
  • Experience developing ETL/ELT processes and data transformations.
  • Experience working with APIs and integrating data from multiple systems.
  • Experience with data modeling, data architecture, and database design.
  • Experience troubleshooting complex data and application issues.
  • Experience working in Agile software development environments.
  • Experience with Git and modern software-development practices.
  • Strong understanding of data quality, validation, governance, security, and lifecycle management.
  • Ability to independently analyze complex technical requirements and develop appropriate solutions.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience supporting USSOCOM, USASOC, DoD, or other federal government organizations.
• Experience working with Palantir Foundry or other enterprise data platforms.
• Experience with Palantir Ontology, Foundry data pipelines, Workshop, Contour, or Code Workbooks.
• Experience with AWS, Microsoft Azure, or other cloud environments.
• Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, or similar data platforms.
• Experience with Kafka or other event-streaming technologies.
• Experience developing RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices.
• Experience implementing data governance, metadata management, data lineage, and enterprise data catalogs.
• Experience supporting AI/ML data pipelines and model operationalization.
• Experience working with classified or highly sensitive mission data.
• Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity and Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements.
• Experience mentoring technical personnel and providing engineering-level technical leadership.
• Industry certifications in cloud, data engineering, cybersecurity, or related technical disciplines.

Clearance Requirement:

• Minimum active Top Secret clearance required
• US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)

The Company

We believe in generating success collaboratively, enabling long-term mission success, and building trust for the next challenge. With you as our partner, let’s solve challenges, think innovatively, and maximize impact. As a valued member of our team, you have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse range of technology and business career paths, all while supporting our nation and delivering innovative technology solutions. We are a close community of experts that pride ourselves on creating an environment defined by teamwork, dedication, and excellence.

We hold three ISO certifications (27001:2013, 20000-1:2011, 9001:2015), two CMMI ML 3 ratings (DEV and SVC) and CMMC Level 2 Certification.

Industry Recognition

Growth | Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, DC Metro List Fastest Growing; Washington Business Journal: Fastest Growing Companies, Top Performing Small Technology Companies in Greater D.C.

Culture | Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 Honoree; Virginia Best Place to Work; Washington Business Journal: Best Places to Work, Corporate Diversity Index Winner – Mid-Size Companies, Companies Owned by People of Color; Department of Labor’s HireVets for our work helping veterans transition; SECAF Award of Excellence finalist; Victory Military Friendly Brand; Virginia Values Veterans (V3); Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Breath Award

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits package including paid time off, healthcare benefits, supplemental benefits, 401k including an employer match, discount perks, rewards, and more.  We invest in our employees – Every employee is eligible for education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development.  Reimbursement amounts may fluctuate due to IRS limitations. We want you to grow as an expert and a leader and offer flexibility for you to take a course, complete a certification, or other professional growth and networking. We are committed to supporting your curiosity and sustaining a culture that prioritizes commitment to continuous professional development.

We work hard; we play hard. Kentro is committed to incorporating fun into every day. We dedicate funds for activities – virtual and in-person – e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations. In alignment with our commitment to our communities, we also host and attend charity galas/events. We believe in appreciating your commitment and building a positive workspace for you to be creative, innovative, and happy.

Commitment Equal Opportunity Employment & VEVRAA

Kentro is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Kentro is strongly committed to compliance with VEVRAA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing equal employment opportunity. We have developed comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure our hiring practices align with these requirements.

As part of our VEVRAA compliance efforts, Kentro has established an equal opportunity plan outlining our commitment to recruiting, hiring, and advancing protected veterans. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness.

We encourage protected veterans to self-identify during the application process. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for reporting and compliance purposes as required by law. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your employment eligibility.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity extends beyond legal compliance. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, including protected veterans, are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

How to Apply

To apply to Kentro Positions- Please click on the job link and then click the blue “Apply” button at the top right of Job Description. Please upload your resume and complete all the application steps. You must fully submit the application for Kentro to consider you for a position.  If you need alternative application methods, please email [email protected] and request assistance.  

Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to discuss reasonable accommodations, please email [email protected].  

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