Data Engineer

Data Engineer

General Information

Requisition # 643

Locations USA-VA-Arlington - Hybrid, USA-DC-Washington - Hybrid, USA-MD-Maryland - Hybrid, USA-VA-Virginia - Hybrid, USA - Remote - Eastern Time Zone

Posting Date 01/22/2026

Security Clearance Required - Active IRS Public Trust w/ Background Investigation

Remote Type Onsite/Hybrid

Time Type Full time

Description & Requirements

As a Data Engineer, you will support the Internal Revenue Services mission to combat tax fraud, identity theft, and non-compliance by designing and delivering secure, scalable, and automated data pipelines that power advanced analytics, machine learning models, and decision-support tools.

You will work directly with IRS stakeholders, program managers, data scientists, and technical teams to translate complex business and compliance needs into reliable data engineering solutions. Your work will enable fraud detection, audit prioritization, refund review, and compliance risk analysis across large, sensitive tax and financial datasets.

This role sits within an analytics-focused business unit supporting IRS enforcement, compliance, and research initiatives, partnering closely with data science and analytics teams to ensure data products are production-ready, trustworthy, and mission-aligned.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Troubleshoot and resolve complex data and system issues across cross-functional and mission-critical environments with minimal supervision
• Engineer solutions that integrate diverse data types, including transactional, financial, and textual data, to support compliance and fraud analytics
• Collaborate with data scientists and stakeholders to deploy analytics applications, dashboards, and decision-support tools
• Write, test, and refine reusable, well-documented code in Python, SQL, Java, and other languages using collaborative development practices
• Build and maintain secure, scalable data pipelines and end-to-end systems, including operation within air-gapped or restricted government environments
• Support the full engineering lifecycle, from concept and design through deployment, monitoring, and ongoing support
• Produce technical documentation and deliver briefings or presentations to technical and non-technical audiences
• Act as a technical consultant, translating business, compliance, and enforcement needs into effective data solutions

Minimum Qualifications

• 2-7+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or a related technical field
• Prior programming experience, preferably in Python, including data
• Design, build, and deploy robust, repeatable, and automated data pipelines using Python, SQL to transform raw data into analytics and ML-ready datasets
• Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field such as statistics, computer science, economics, mathematics, analytics, data science, data engineering, business, or social sciences
• Engineer data pipelines that support fraud detection, compliance analytics, and predictive risk modeling across structured and unstructured data sources in Databricks
• Develop and maintain end-to-end machine learning data workflows across on-premises and cloud environments, integrating backend systems with analytics platforms and user-facing applications
• Partner closely with data scientists, analysts, product managers, and government stakeholders to align data engineering solutions with IRS mission objectives
• Modernize and optimize data and ML workflows by implementing best practices for scalability, reliability, maintainability, and security
• Translate client and stakeholder requirements into clear, actionable technical designs and implementation plans
• Contribute effectively within agile, fast-paced development environments, supporting iterative delivery and continuous improvement
• Demonstrate a strong willingness to learn new technologies, adapt to evolving requirements, and share knowledge across teams
• Willingness to travel and work on-site with clients as project needs require

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS) in analytics, computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, management information systems, decision science, or related fields
• Experience with version control systems (Git, SVN, Mercurial) and collaborative programming practices (pair programming, code reviews)
• Experience with containerization and environment management (venv, conda)
• Experience with platforms and technologies such as Databricks and AWS
• Prior Databricks experience in Unity Catalog, Pyspark, Spark SQL, and Jobs
• Familiarity with vector, object, and document-based data storage systems
• Experience implementing data engineering solutions in remote or austere environments, including use of bash and command-line tools
• Experience with business intelligence and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau)
• Understanding of the data analytics lifecycle (e.g., CRISP-DM) and how engineering supports downstream analytics and ML use cases

Clearance & Other Requirements

• Must currently possess an IRS Public Trust clearance with Full Background Investigation

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations

Why apply to this position at Elder Research?

• Competitive Salary and Benefits
• Important Work / Make a Difference supporting U.S. national security.
• Job Stability: Elder Research is not a typical government contractor, we hire you for a career not just a contract.
• People-Focused Culture: we prioritize work-life-balance and provide a supportive, positive, and collaborative work environment as well as opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

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.