Data Engineer - Senior Level

Overview

The Senior Data Engineer provides advanced data architecture, engineering, and analytics support across the intelligence lifecycle, enabling more effective Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) activities. This role designs and optimizes data pipelines, builds predictive analytics and AI/ML capabilities, integrates Multi-INT datasets, and develops automated solutions that enhance mission performance and decision-making.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in large-scale data engineering, AI/ML development, ETL automation, and data visualization within the DoD or Intelligence Community.

Responsibilities

Advanced Data Engineering, Analytics & Automation

• Conducts data analytics, data engineering, data mining, exploratory analysis, predictive modeling, and statistical analysis in support of intelligence missions.
• Builds and implements AI/ML tools-such as recommendation engines, automated lead-scoring systems, and high-quality prediction models-to automate and enhance analytic workflows.
• Retrieves, processes, and integrates data from multiple internal and external sources; analyzes data structures to improve understanding and model development.
• Performs statistical analysis, applies data-mining techniques, and develops predictive systems to support operational assessments.
• Develops automated processes, ETL pipelines, and scripts (R, Python, SQL, etc.) to merge disparate datasets, normalize non-standard data, and reduce manual workload.
• Creates high-quality visualizations and analytic products using Power BI, Tableau, and other visualization platforms to enable informed decision-making.

Data Architecture & System Design

• Designs, implements, and operates enterprise data management systems aligned with intelligence requirements.
• Determines optimal methods for storing, accessing, integrating, and managing data across multiple data regimes and digital systems.
• Works with data consumers to design data architectures, schemas, structures, and pipelines that support mission needs.
• Plans and optimizes data throughput, storage configurations, query performance, and data-pipeline scalability.
• Participates in selecting and configuring backend database technologies (SQL, NoSQL, HPC environments, etc.).
• Ensures the full data pipeline infrastructure supports content volume, ETL cycles, and analytic responsiveness.

Visualization, Prototyping & Research

• Designs and builds web-based prototypes, dashboards, and other interactive tools to support Intelligence Mission Management functions.
• Enhances and modernizes data-visualization capabilities to improve situational awareness and analytic efficiency.
• Conducts scalable research using diverse data sources to support collection-management and collection-assessment processes.

Mission Integration & Process Optimization

• Collaborates with collection managers, knowledge managers, and computer scientists to build new data processes and automate collection strategies.
• Develops algorithms, scripts, and automated workflows that improve predictive capabilities and inform ISR collection strategies.
• Identifies new ways to improve search quality, data accuracy, and analytic responsiveness.
• Performs data-management and data-scientist duties as required, depending on mission needs.

System Evaluation, Optimization & Governance

• Evaluates automated collection criteria and logic to improve performance and mission effectiveness.
• Assesses existing data-management capabilities and recommends data-integration solutions across the TCPED process.
• Conducts system analyses and feasibility studies for new or enhanced databases and content-management systems.
• Identifies redundancy within data environments and recommends optimization strategies for consolidation or streamlined integration.

Reporting, Collaboration & Representation

• Participates in briefings, technical exchanges, and user engagements to resolve data-management and integration issues across the intelligence lifecycle.
• Provides expert data-management advice supporting Tasking, Collection, Production, Exploitation, and Dissemination activities.
• Supports and participates in conferences, exercises (planning and execution), working groups, and boards including:
• Joint Collection Management Board (JCMB)
• Joint Collection Working Groups (JCWG)
• Defense Collection Management Boards (DCMB)
• National Collection Management Boards (NCMB)
• Secure VTC or in-person engagements as required by the Government

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Advanced experience in data engineering, AI/ML development, predictive analytics, data mining, and statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in data-science languages and tools (Python, R, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Strong background in integrating, conditioning, and merging large and disparate datasets.
• Experience supporting Multi-INT analytics, automated predictive analytics, and intelligence-focused data engineering.
• Knowledge of backend data technologies (SQL/NoSQL databases, HPC environments, ETL pipelines).
• Ability to communicate complex technical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting ISR, collection-management, or intelligence automation missions.
• Experience building enterprise data architectures within the DoD or IC.
• Experience with predictive analytics supporting collection strategy development.
• Familiarity with content-management systems and large-scale data governance.

Bluehawk, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer/EOE Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity