Data Engineer/ISSE

Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Data Engineering Specialist with strong Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) experience to design, secure, and optimize mission-critical cloud and data solutions. This role blends system engineering, secure cloud architecture, advanced analytics, ETL/AI‑ML data engineering, virtualization technologies, and modern development practices. The ideal candidate has experience operating in classified AWS environments, developing with Cypher/Python/Java/JavaScript, and working with Neo4j graph technologies, while communicating complex concepts effectively to diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Information Systems Security Engineering (ISSE)

• Lead and execute ISSE activities across the full system lifecycle, including security architecture development, security control selection/implementation, and ensuring compliance with NIST and customer‑specific security requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and update A&A/ATO documentation including SSPs, POA&Ms, test procedures, compliance evidence, and continuous monitoring artifacts.
• Conduct routine system security scans, vulnerability assessments, patch/update actions, and remediation workflows for cloud and on‑premises systems.
• Integrate security-by-design principles into system architectures, data flows, ETL pipelines, and mission workflows.
• Partner with system engineers, developers, and mission customers to align technical solutions with accreditation requirements, classification constraints, and operational risk considerations.

Data Engineering

• Design, build, and optimize ETL pipelines, including data flows supporting AI/ML/LLM projects and large-scale analytics.
  
• Perform functional and technical analysis, internal control and risk analysis, cost estimation, timeline assessments, and trade studies supporting mission solutions.
• Apply system engineering disciplines and concepts of operations across cross‑organizational environments, ensuring secure and scalable system design.
• Clean, preprocess, analyze, and visualize medium‑to‑large datasets using modern analytic and statistical methods.
• Build and optimize Neo4j graph database solutions including schema design, relationship modeling, and efficient Cypher query development.
• Develop software components in Cypher, Python, Java, or JavaScript following secure development practices.
• Collaborate within Agile development frameworks and contribute to iterative planning cycles, sprint activities, and CI/CD processes.
• Maintain documentation for datasets, queries, security artifacts, engineering decisions, and developed software components.

• Active TS/SCI with relevant polygraph
• Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 3 years with PhD; an additional four years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• Demonstrated experience designing, securing, and operating data flow solutions in high‑security/classified environments
• Strong ISSE background including A&A/ATO, security architecture, vulnerability analysis, accreditation documentation, and continuous monitoring requirements
• Hands-on experience with ETL pipelines, data modeling, activity modeling, and AI/ML‑supportive data engineering
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Cypher, Python, Java, JavaScript)
• Experience with graphing database technologies
• Demonstrated experience cleaning, modeling, and visualizing medium‑to‑large datasets
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Customer-specific experience supporting mission systems or classified programs

Desired Qualifications

• Neo4j and Cypher query language expertise
• Experience with enterprise data strategy, data governance, stewardship practices, and metadata management
• Experience developing dashboards or system visualizations
• Exposure to AI/ML or LLM system engineering and data workflows
• Familiarity with Agile development frameworks and cloud‑native design patterns