Data Architect

Data Architect

Location: Springfield, VA — On-Site
Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI; must be eligible to obtain TS/SCI with CI Polygraph
Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Data Architect to support a mission-critical software development program for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). In this role, you will design, manage, and optimize the data architecture behind secure, browser-based applications used for cybersecurity compliance tracking, vulnerability management, POA&M workflows, and RMF-aligned processes.

This role is ideal for a data professional who is comfortable working at the intersection of data architecture, data engineering, cloud infrastructure, and secure software development. You will play a key role in ensuring data is structured, accessible, secure, reliable, and optimized for performance across a modern AWS cloud-native environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, manage, and optimize SQL-based data architectures using Amazon RDS, Amazon Redshift, and Microsoft SQL Server
• Develop, maintain, and improve ETL pipelines, data synchronization processes, and cloud-based data workflows
• Use AWS services such as Lambda, Glue, S3, and EC2 to support data transformation, integration, storage, and processing
• Create, refine, and troubleshoot complex SQL queries, views, stored procedures, schemas, indexes, and database objects
• Partner with application developers to ensure data models support functional requirements, performance goals, scalability, and long-term maintainability
• Support Agile software development cycles, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, technical design sessions, demos, and peer reviews
• Contribute to DevSecOps and CI/CD practices by ensuring data components integrate smoothly with application deployments
• Collaborate with security teams to ensure data architecture aligns with RMF, cloud security standards, secure coding practices, and federal compliance requirements
• Diagnose and resolve data issues across development, testing, staging, and production environments
• Provide root-cause analysis and long-term remediation recommendations for data quality, performance, synchronization, and integration issues
• Support the evolution of data governance, metadata management, data quality, and data lifecycle practices
• Document data models, workflows, dependencies, and technical decisions to support maintainability and compliance

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI CI Polygraph
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Data Science, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in data architecture, backend database development, data engineering, or cloud data solutions
• Expert-level SQL skills, including complex query development, schema design, stored procedures, performance tuning, and optimization
• Hands-on experience with SQL-based platforms such as Amazon RDS, Amazon Redshift, and Microsoft SQL Server
• Experience designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines in cloud environments
• Hands-on experience with AWS data transformation and integration services, including Lambda, Glue, S3, and EC2
• Familiarity with containerized application environments using Docker, Kubernetes, or OpenShift
• Strong understanding of secure coding practices, data security principles, access controls, and RMF-aligned workflows
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, analytical thinking, and root-cause analysis skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with software developers, DevOps engineers, cloud architects, security personnel, and program stakeholders
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments
• Strong documentation and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting data architecture or data engineering efforts in the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, or other high-security federal environments
• Familiarity with NGA mission systems or geospatial intelligence environments
• Experience with AWS IAM, KMS, encryption, access management, or other cloud security services
• Knowledge of POA&M workflows, cybersecurity compliance, vulnerability management, security audits, or federal assessment processes
• Experience with Python and/or PowerShell scripting
• Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation
• Knowledge of data governance, metadata management, data cataloging, data quality, and data lineage
• Experience contributing to CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps automation
• Understanding of RMF processes, ATO support activities, or federal cybersecurity frameworks

Technology Stack

Databases / Data Platforms: SQL, Amazon RDS, Amazon Redshift, Microsoft SQL Server
Cloud: AWS Lambda, Glue, S3, EC2
Scripting: Python, PowerShell
DevOps / Containers: Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, CI/CD pipelines
Methodology: Agile/Scrum
Security / Compliance: RMF, POA&M, secure coding, cloud security, data governance

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a cleared Data Architect or senior data engineering professional with deep SQL expertise, strong cloud data experience, and the ability to design secure, scalable data solutions for mission-critical federal systems.

You should be comfortable working in a secure AWS environment, collaborating with software development and security teams, and ensuring data architectures meet performance, compliance, and operational requirements. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to contribute to a high-impact NGA program while working with modern cloud-native data technologies.