DATA ENGINEER PRINCIPAL

At GDIT, people are our differentiator. As a Technical Lead supporting Department of Veterans Affairs programs, you will help deliver the data solutions that drive better outcomes for millions of Veterans. In this role, you will lead teams, architect enterprise data systems, and deliver secure, scalable analytics capabilities that strengthen mission operations across the VA.

You will work within a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your technical expertise directly impacts government modernization efforts and improves the experience of our nations Veterans.

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HOW A TECHNICAL LEAD WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Lead Enterprise Data Solution Delivery

• Serve as the technical lead responsible for the design, architecture, and delivery of end-to-end data engineering and analytics solutions.
• Oversee development of ETL/ELT pipelines, data models, database structures, APIs, and BI dashboards that support enterprise-wide analytics and reporting.
• Provide technical direction to engineering teams, ensuring solutions align with VA mission needs and federal security standards.

Build and Optimize Data Pipelines

• Develop complex, high-volume data pipelines and automated workflows using Python, SQL, PowerShell, and cloud-native tools.
• Modernize legacy data systems and migrate workloads into scalable cloud or hybrid environments using Azure.
• Optimize data ingestion, transformation, and validation processes to support operational and analytical workloads.

Deliver Advanced Analytics Capabilities

• Develop Power BI solutions including semantic models, DAX calculations, and enterprise distribution methods.
• Build dashboards, analytics modules, and self-service reporting tools that improve situational awareness and decision support.
• Design OLAP structures and data models that enable high-performance, large-scale analytics.

Ensure Operational Excellence and Governance

• Implement DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks using Azure DevOps and Git.
• Establish and maintain data quality processes, monitoring systems, optimization strategies, and performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with VA, NIST, and federal cybersecurity requirements across all data and reporting solutions.

Collaborate and Lead Across Stakeholders

• Partner with VA leadership, analysts, engineers, and program teams to translate mission requirements into technical solutions.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and analysts.
• Support documentation, technical standards, and best-practice development across the program.

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WHAT YOULL NEED TO SUCCEED

Required Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience leading technical teams and delivering enterprise-level data solutions.
• Strong proficiency with Python, SQL, REST APIs, FastAPI, Power BI (desktop and service), and PowerShell.
• Hands-on experience architecting cloud or hybrid data environments, particularly with Azure and Azure SQL.
• Demonstrated ability to build and optimize ETL pipelines, data transformations, and automated workflows.
• Experience implementing CI/CD, DevSecOps, testing automation, and Git-based development processes.
• Knowledge of federal data security, compliance, and secure development practices.

Education:

• Bachelors degree in a technical field (Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline).
• Masters degree preferred (Data Analytics Engineering, Predictive Analytics, or related field).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies.
• Experience with Snowflake, Databricks, MongoDB, JIRA, SharePoint, or ServiceNow ecosystems.
• Familiarity with machine learning, predictive analytics, or advanced statistical modeling.

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GDIT IS YOUR PLACE:

• Full-flex work week to own your priorities at work and at home.
• Comprehensive health and wellness packages.
• Professional development, internal mobility programs, and upskilling opportunities.
• Mission-focused environment where your work directly improves outcomes for Veterans.
• The ability to influence and lead high-impact government data modernization initiatives