AI Ops - Data Engineer III

Data Engineer III

Mindbank Consulting Group is seeking a Top Secret-cleared Data Engineer III to build and operationalize secure, mission-critical data pipelines supporting Navy and DoD initiatives. This role focuses on enabling real-time analytics and AI-driven decision-making in classified and DDIL environments. This direct hire role pays up to $300K, and is based on each candidate's skills and professional, relevant experience. You'll design and deploy scalable data solutions using tools such as AWS, Snowflake, Kafka/Kinesis, and Airflow/dbt, working across ingestion, transformation, and optimization.

Success in this role requires strong experience with distributed systems and the ability to deliver reliable, production-ready pipelines in constrained, mission-first settings. This direct hire position requires US citizenship (no dual citizenship) and minimally an active Top Secret clearance (a TS/SCI is preferred). This position is 100% onsite; candidates may reside in the following locations:

• NAVWAR / PEO C4I / NIWC PAC LOCATIONS IN SAN DIEGO, CA
• NIWC ATLANTIC LOCATIONS CHARLESTON, SC
• NAVY POST GRADUATE SCHOOL, MONTEREY CA
• NAVWAR WASHINGTON LIAISON OFFICE (WLO) AND PENTAGON
• 1ST SPACE BRIGADE, FORT CARSON, CO
• AIR FORCE TENCAP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
• BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, DENVER, CO

Travel: Up to 15% CONUS (occasional OCONUS if mission requires) An unexpired passport is required

Primary Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand and address Navy operational challenges using data pipelines and analytics.
• Hands on design, development, and implementation data pipelines and analytics for naval applications.
• Perform exploratory data analysis, algorithm development, and testing.
• Normalize and structure data to common standards for interoperability.
• Work with multiple data formats, including CSV, JSON, XML, Parquet, and ORC.
• Develop and deploy data pipelines and analytics in real-world operational environments.
• Deploy, monitor, and optimize data pipelines to ensure high performance and reliability.
• Utilize data pipeline frameworks such as AirByte, Apache Airflow, dbt, Apache Iceberg, and Snowflake.
• Implement containerized environments using Docker or Kubernetes.
• Communicate findings and engineering solutions effectively with technical and mission stakeholders.

Secondary and Tertiary Responsibilities:

• Implement event streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka, AWS Kinesis, RabbitMQ, or ZeroMQ.
• Utilize distributed computing platforms such as AWS Lambda, Dask, or Spark.
• Leverage cloud-native tools including AWS S3, RDS, EFS, SNS, and SQS.
• Apply cybersecurity principles in the context of secure DoD data applications.
• Work with GIS data using ArcGIS, PostGIS, and related tooling.

Required Qualifications:

• US Citizen (no dual citizenship) with an active Top Secret clearance.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Data Science, Geography, Math, Machine Learning, or Statistics.
• Strong, hands-on programming skills in Python, Go (Golang), Rust, Pandas, R, SQL, or related languages.
• 10 years of experience as a business analyst, data analyst, data scientist, data engineer, database administrator, geospatial analyst/engineer, machine learning engineer, or software engineer, or related field.
• Willingness to travel.
• 100% On Site willingness.
• Ability to safely carry tools, equipment, and materials aboard ship, including ascending and descending shipboard ladders(stairwells) and navigating confined spaces while maintaining required points of contact. Tools and equipment will weigh no more than 50 lbs.
• Ability to perform required work aboard Navy vessels and in shipboard environments, including navigating narrow passageways, ascending, and descending ladders (stairwells), working on elevated platforms, and operating in variable sea conditions.
• Ability to perform activities on a reoccurring basis during shipboard operations or testing evolutions.
• Ability to comply with Navy safety requirements and wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to operate in a DDIL office environment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals to meet these requirements and perform the essential functions of the position.
• Candidates should be prepared to complete a coding exercise as part of the interview process.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience with large-scale data architecture across secure DoD or government environments.
• Experience working with NAVWAR, NIWC Pacific, or naval C2/ISR programs.
• Experience architecting data solutions across multi-domain or cross-domain systems.
• Familiarity with MLOps practices or deploying analytics/ML-enabled pipelines in classified, cross-domain, or constrained environments.
• Experience with cloud-native data architecture and API design.
• Programming experience in Go or Rust.
• Proven experience designing, developing, and deploying complex data pipelines.
• Experience working with multiple data formats (e.g., CSV, JSON, XML, Parquet, ORC).
• Familiarity with event streaming technologies: (e.g. Kafka, AWS Kinesis, RabbitMQ, ZeroMQ).
• Experience deploying, monitoring, and optimizing operational data pipelines.
• Expertise in Elasticsearch, Redis, S3, PostgreSQL, or related datastores.
• Experience with AWS data services (EFS, RDS, S3, SNS, SQS).
• Experience with distributed computing: AWS Lambda, DASK, Spark.
• Familiarity with AirByte, Airflow, dbt, Iceberg, Snowflake.
• Experience managing, integrating, and retrieving GIS data (ArcGIS, PostGIS).
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles as applied to data applications and operational environments (including DDIL constraints).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills in a collaborative team environment.
• Previous experience supporting government agencies or military organizations.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Mindbank is committed to a diverse workforce and we seek the most qualified candidate for each opening without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.