Database Engineer (U.S. Intelligence Community)

Database / Data Engineer (U.S. Intelligence Community)

Location(s): Ft. Meade, MD

Workplace: On-site (hands-on access to high impact data systems needed)

Clearance Required: TS/SCI with Polygraph

Mission-Driven Work: Support the U.S. Intelligence Community by building secure, scalable data systems that enable real-time insights.

Career Stability: We hire for careers, not contracts—our work is growing.

People-Focused Culture: We value work-life balance, collaboration, and professional growth.

Ownership Mindset: Every employee is a shareholder through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Competitive Pay & Benefits:

• Typical salary range: $160K–$200K, depending on experience and contract labor category
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid parental leave and flexible PTO

Position Overview:

We are seeking mid and senior level Database Engineers to design, develop, and optimize mission-critical data systems that support complex national security objectives. This position focuses on the front end of the system lifecycle—from requirements development through system acceptance testing and Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience building and optimizing both relational and object-oriented databases, developing database parser and loading software, and driving data architecture decisions that balance performance, scalability, and security in cloud-enabled environments.

Work on data systems that directly enable U.S. Intelligence operations. Your work will help analysts and decision-makers protect national interests.

These positions will be part of our Defense and Intelligence Business unit serving the U.S. Intelligence Community as our primary customer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop relational and object-oriented databases, database parser software, and database loading utilities.
• Translate complex business and mission requirements into optimized database schemas and data models.
• Analyze, design, and implement database solutions from concept through deployment.
• Project long-term requirements for database administration, design, and scalability.
• Direct the development of complex systems using queries, tables, Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), and cloud-based data storage and retrieval methodologies.
• Design and document data flow, data structures, and data access patterns that support analytics and operational needs.
• Develop and maintain automated scripts, macros, and ad hoc queries to manipulate data into master files.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement system improvements, optimizations, and modernization initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity, security compliance, and performance tuning.

Position Requirements:

Required Clearance: Active TS/SCI with Poly.

Required Education: a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent professional experience)

Required Skills / Experience:

• Proficiency in designing and managing relational (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL) databases.
• Demonstrated experience with database query languages (e.g., SQL, PL/SQL, T-SQL) and scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash).
• Experience developing and managing databases using cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Hands-on experience with database parser software, ETL tools, and data migration in cloud or hybrid environments.
• Strong understanding of data modeling, normalization, indexing, and partitioning strategies.
• Experience with database security, access control, and encryption techniques.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, or Ansible.
• Proven ability to collaborate across teams, document data systems, and present technical findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience with containerized database deployments (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of big data technologies (e.g., Apache Spark, Hadoop, Kafka).
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and CI/CD pipelines for data infrastructure.
• Experience with database performance tuning and query optimization in high-volume environments.
• Background in data replication, backup, and disaster recovery planning.

Salary and Benefit Information:

The likely salary range for these positions is $149,000-$220,000 depending on experience and contract labor category.

Elder Research values continuous learning, a supportive work environment, and a healthy work-life balance. We provide family health, dental, and vision benefits, employer-paid disability, paid-time off, and paid parental leave. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contribution as well as an Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP). Our employees enjoy reasonable hours, solid pay, low travel, and extremely flexible time off.

About Elder Research, Inc:

People Centered. Data Driven

Elder Research is a fast growing consulting firm specializing in predictive analytics. Being in the data mining business almost 30 years, we pride ourselves in our ability to find creative, cutting edge solutions to real-world problems. We work hard to provide the best value to our clients and allow each person to contribute their ideas and put their skills to use immediately.

Our team members are passionate, curious, life-long learners. We value humility, servant-leadership, teamwork, and integrity. We seek to serve our clients and our teammates to the best of our abilities. In keeping with our entrepreneurial spirit, we want candidates who are self-motivated with an innate curiosity and strong team work.

Elder Research believes in continuous learning and community - each week the entire company attends a "Tech Talk" and each office location provides lunch. Elder Research provides a supportive work environment with established parental, bereavement, and PTO policies. By prioritizing a healthy work-life balance - with reasonable hours, solid pay, low travel, and extremely flexible time off - Elder Research enables and encourages its employees to serve others and enjoy their lives.

Elder Research, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Elder Research is a Government contractor and many of our positions require US Citizenship.