Data Engineer (Clearance Required)
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for skilled data engineers continues to rise, with a 25% increase in job postings in the past year, professionals with expertise in cloud-based data architectures and enterprise data solutions are in high demand. ICF's Data Engineer role stands out for its focus on supporting federal government programs and its requirement for an active Top Secret clearance. With the current remote work landscape, this role offers a unique opportunity for those with a strong background in data engineering to work on mission-critical systems. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their technical skills, particularly in AWS or Azure, and their ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Job Description
About the Role
The Data Engineer role at ICF is a critical component of the company's efforts to support federal government programs. As a Data Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining scalable, secure, and compliant data solutions. This will involve collaborating closely with data scientists, analysts, developers, and government stakeholders to enable data-driven decision-making across mission-critical systems.The role is fully remote, with occasional travel to the DC Metro area required for onsite client meetings. Candidates located within the Washington, DC Metro area are preferred. It's essential to note that ICF monitors employee work locations and blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses, and also prohibits personal VPN connections.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data engineering, with experience designing and supporting enterprise data solutions in federal or regulated environments. A Bachelor's Degree in a related field and an active Top Secret clearance, with SCI eligibility, are required.
What You Will Do
- Design, build, and maintain data pipelines and ETL/ELT processes supporting large-scale federal data systems
- Develop and optimize cloud-based data architectures in AWS or Azure environments
- Integrate structured and unstructured data from multiple government and third-party sources
- Ensure data quality, integrity, availability, and performance across systems
- Support ATO, RMF, and federal security requirements, including documentation and audit support
- Collaborate with DevOps teams on CI/CD, infrastructure as code (IaC), and deployment automation
- Translate business and mission requirements into scalable technical solutions
- Produce and maintain technical documentation for data flows, pipelines, and architectures
- Participate in Agile ceremonies and work closely with cross-functional teams
What We Are Looking For
- Active Top Secret clearance, with SCI eligibility
- 1+ years of experience designing and supporting enterprise data solutions in federal or regulated environments
- Bachelor's Degree in a related field
- Prior experience supporting federal or DoD programs, preferably DCSA
- Strong experience with relational databases
- Knowledge of data modeling techniques, ETL/ELT processes, and data integration patterns
- Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern data services
- Experience supporting security, governance, and compliance requirements
Nice to Have
- Experience with data warehousing, reporting, and analytics platforms
- Familiarity with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code
- Prior experience working in a fully remote environment
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Generous PTO and holiday schedule
- Remote work stipend
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
How to Stand Out
- To stand out in this role, highlight your experience with cloud-based data architectures and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Make sure to showcase your technical skills, particularly in AWS or Azure, and your understanding of data modeling techniques and ETL/ELT processes.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience supporting security, governance, and compliance requirements, and how you have ensured data quality and integrity in previous roles.
- When applying, tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific requirements of the role, and be prepared to provide examples of your work and achievements.
- During the interview process, ask questions about the company culture, the team you will be working with, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
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