Description

The DarkStar Group is seeking a Data Engineer with a TS/SCI + Poly clearance (applicable to this customer) to join one of our top projects in Tysons, VA.  Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company, our benefits, and our $25,000 referral program.

THE PROJECT

The DarkStar Group's team provides tactical data engineering solutions. We embed skilled Data Engineers, Data Scientists, and ETL Developers directly into intelligence analyst groups to be their go-to data wranglers.  We develop new tools, code, and services to execute data engineering activities.  Our engineers work to collect, process, and feed analytic tools, turning data into intelligence in response to immediate mission needs, with direct impact on real world situations.  You will see your work used here on a daily basis, and you'll have the opportunity to support a variety of Sponsor mission organizations and mission partner organizations.

This is a time of development and growth on the program, with an increasing number of missions being supported.  The work is high impact and important, and the customer moves quickly.  The environment is fast-paced, flexible, and open to innovation - you'll have more latitude here in choosing how to achieve results than on many other projects.  The customer cares more about what you can do as opposed to your years of experience, and work hours are typically quite flexible - roll up your sleeves, get things done, and no one cares much about the specific hours that you work.  The work space itself is also quite nice, and there is an excellent cafeteria!

The tech stack on this team is rather huge and includes Python (Pandas, numpy, scipy, scikit-learn, standard libraries, etc.), Python packages that wrap Machine Learning (packages for NLP, Object Detection, etc.), Linux, AWS/C2S, Apache NiFi, Spark, pySpark, Hadoop, Kafka, ElasticSearch, Solr, Kibana, neo4J, MariaDB, Postgres, Docker, Puppet, and many others. 

Work on this program takes place in Chantilly, VA, McLean, VA and in various field offices throughout Northern VA (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS/SCI + Polygraph clearance (acceptable to this customer).

THE ROLE

• As a Data Engineer in this role, you will be at the forefront of transforming financial data into actionable insights for a mission-driven customer. Your primary responsibility will be to develop, optimize, and maintain robust ETL processes and data pipelines. You will leverage your expertise in Python and SQL to condition and normalize both raw and structured data, enhancing its usability and searchability within downstream enterprise tools. Your work will be pivotal in implementing cutting-edge technology, including AI models, to improve data fidelity and accelerate data engineering tasks. Familiarity with Apache Airflow and Apache Hop will be beneficial as you build new and repeatable workflows to support the team's objectives.
• Your success in this position will be bolstered by your ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team of technical experts, data managers, and operational stakeholders. Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS) will be crucial as you deploy scalable solutions in a cloud environment. While not mandatory, a background in Kubernetes will give you an edge, as will any experience with financial data and language translation models.
• In this dynamic role, you will not only support the team in conditioning financial data but also play a key role in the adoption of modern data engineering practices. Your contributions will directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of data processing, setting the stage for advanced data analysis and decision-making. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of building and implementing ETL processes, with a keen eye for optimizing data for various enterprise applications. If you have a passion for data engineering and are ready to take on a challenge that marries technical prowess with mission-critical analysis, this is the opportunity for you.

Required Skills

• Python
• Structured Query Language (SQL)
• Apache Airflow
• Apache Hop
• Experience normalizing raw, unstructured, and structured data
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Experience building, optimizing, and implementing ETL processes and data pipelines
• Experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Desired Skills (Optional)

• Experience with financial data
• Experience with language translation models
• Experience using Kubernetes
• Bachelor's Degree Preferred

About The DarkStar Group

Our Company

The DarkStar Group is a small business that solves BIG problems. We're one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US, and our engineers and scientists support the most critical national security missions in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Data Science, Software Engineering, Cloud/AWS Infrastructure, and Cyber/CNO are our core areas of expertise. We offer interesting and important work, job security, some of the best and most flexible benefits you'll find in the IC, and salaries so strong that they'll likely surprise you. 

Our Benefits

The DarkStar Group offers exceptional compensation and benefits:

• very strong salaries;
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents;
• the ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision;
• 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits;
• a generously-funded HSA;
• an 8% 401(k) contribution; 
• 31 days of PTO/holidays to start (more with tenure);
• the ability to flex time across pay periods without using your PTO;
• a generous training budget;
• $25,000 employee referral bonuses;
• business development / growth incentives; and
• top notch company swag.

** We have a huge growth opportunity, so we are offering up to a $25,000 reward for anyone new you refer whom we hire. **

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.