Senior Systems Architect / Data Engineer

Peraton is seeking a Senior Systems Architect / Data Engineer to lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale cloud data solutions supporting ARCYBER Platform Management Support project. This role ensures cloud-native pipelines, storage, governance, and access frameworks are designed for performance, scalability, and compliance.

Responsibilities:

• Architect and support cloud-native data systems on AWS, including compute (EC2), storage (S3), and IAM.
• Develop and maintain data parsers (primarily in Java, with Python for scripting/automation) for structured and unstructured sources.
• Design and maintain large-scale pipelines leveraging Kafka, Apache NiFi, and containerized environments (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Collaborate with customers to translate mission requirements into scalable, cloud-based data workflows.
• Optimize data storage (SQL and NoSQL) for performance, scalability, and governance.
• Implement schema standards (e.g., Elastic Common Schema) and metadata cataloging to ensure consistency across diverse sources.
• Support enterprise architecture efforts, conducting gap analyses (comparing current and target state architectures) and proposing solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and enforce best practices in version control, CI/CD, and documentation.
• Lead data feed onboarding, pipeline operations, and production support across cloud-based data workflows.
• Drive schema standardization, parser enhancement, data transformation, and data structure lifecycle management.
• Support JCWA platform enhancements through data integration, workflow optimization, and architecture alignment.
• Apply Agile delivery practices using Jira, GitLab, and CI/CD workflows to improve team execution and transparency.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related field and 12+ years of experience, 10 years with MS, or 7 years with PhD.  Will consider AA with 14+ years or HS with 16+years.
• Experience developing and supporting AWS-based data  systems using cloud storage, compute, IAM-enabled access patterns, and secure data movement concepts.
• Proficient development experience in Java, and Python.
• Experience with data pipeline and data movement technologies such as Kafka, Confluent, Apache NiFi, Spark, Prefect, or Airflow.
• Proficient with SQL and PostgreSQL, including data modeling, query optimization, schema design, and supporting analytics-ready data structures.
• Experience deploying, operating, or troubleshooting data services in containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience documenting data workflows, schemas, interface requirements, data mappings, and operational processes.
• Ability to collaborate directly with customers, engineers, analysts, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate mission requirements into technical data solutions.
• Experience with metadata cataloging, data governance processes, data lineage, or data quality management.
• Active TS SCI with ability to obtain Polygraph, and MEAD clearance.
• U.S Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Elastic Stack, Elastic Common Schema (ECS), or similar schema governance and observability frameworks.
• Familiarity with Bash scripting, AWS CLI, and automation for troubleshooting or operational support.
• Experience with NoSQL databases, data warehousing strategies, or hybrid SQL/NoSQL storage patterns.
• Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, AWS Data Engineering, or equivalent).
• Experience with DevSecOps, Infrastructure-as-Code (like Terraform/CloudFormation), and CI/CD pipelines (GitHub/GitLab).
• IAT Level II certification (Sec+) or higher.