Data Engineer - Senior

Data Engineer - Senior

Reston, VA, United States (On-site)

Job Title: Data Engineer - Senior

Job Code: ITS954

Location: Reston, VA

Reports to: Program Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervisory: No supervisory/management authority

Prepared Date: 10/5/2026

Position Summary:

Cherokee Strategic Edge is seeking a Data Engineer to support Defense analytical requirements with enhanced scientific research, and contribute to the DIE’s integrated all-source analysis of foreign defense capabilities for warfighters, Defense planners and policymakers.

Compensation & Benefits:

Starting Salary Range for Data Engineer - Senior: $150,000 – $175,000

Benefits That Set Us Apart

When considering your next opportunity, compensation is only part of the picture. We offer a benefits package designed to invest in your future and support your life outside of work.

Highlights include:

• Up to a 6% 401(k) company match to help you build long-term financial security

• Paid time off as part of our comprehensive benefits package, so you have the flexibility to rest, recharge, and enjoy what matters most

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus prescription drug coverage

• Basic life and AD&D insurance, with supplemental life options

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

• Paid holidays

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options

• Professional development, training, and certification support

• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, and identity theft protection

Because taking care of our employees isn’t just a promise, it’s part of who we are.

Benefits are subject to change and eligibility requirements apply.

Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities:

Includes the following:

• Designs, implements, and operates data management systems for intelligence needs.

• Designs how data will be stored, accessed, used, integrated, and managed by different data regimes and digital systems.

• Works with data users to determine, create, and populate optimal data architectures, structures, and systems.

• Plans, designs, and optimizes data throughput and query performance.

• Participates in the selection of backend database technologies 

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No supervisory/management authority

Basic Qualifications:

• Experience implementing and enforcing security baselines to conform to network security policies on host workstations as well as on servers, typically Linux (Ubuntu & Redhat) and windows based

• Ability to standup and manage a compute and storage architecture using Citrix and/or VMWare's ESXi

• Experience with installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software

• Experience overseeing or conducting backup, recovery, and reconstitution activities

• Experience implementing controls

• Experience installing and maintaining servers (physical and virtual) used for network services, engineering storage solutions, and engineering virtual test environments

• DIA CIO 8570 compliant (SEC+ or higher) with the ability to gain Privileged Access Account authorization

• Experience creating and managing user accounts utilizing LDAP and experience implementing and managing PKI for authentication

• Experience managing Linux and Windows servers hosted on VMWare ESXi hypervisor

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology or related STEM degree program, or four years of equivalent level experience as a client Server Engineer.

• Must be a US Citizen.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; may occasionally require standing or moving about the office for extended periods.

• Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 12 years of related experience with at least a portion of the experience within the last 2 years preferred

• Master’s Degree in a related field preferred

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in a climate-controlled environment.