Data Engineer - SME
Dark Wolf Solutions · Chantilly/Herndon, VA · United States · On-site
Pay: USD 185,000 – 240,000 a year
Posted Aug 18, 2026
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Dark Wolf constructs and deploys data management and analytics solutions for the defense and intelligence communities. We’re proud to boast a world-class engineering team that thrives on rolling up their sleeves to solve your mission’s biggest challenges. Dark Wolf is seeking a Data Engineer - Subject Matter Expert (SME) to architect, lead, and execute enterprise-wide data platform initiatives. As the principal technical authority, you will set the enterprise data architecture strategy, design high-assurance data topologies for classified enclaves, govern data mesh architectures, and advise government stakeholders on mission-critical data strategies.
Key Responsibilities
Architect and lead the end-to-end implementation of enterprise-scale, high-assurance data platforms and data mesh topologies.
Serve as the principal technical authority on distributed data systems, lakehouse architectures, and real-time analytical capabilities.
Mandate enterprise-wide data security standards, data-at-rest/in-transit encryption protocols, and zero-trust data governance.
Set the strategic roadmap for multi-cloud, hybrid, and air-gapped data deployment methodologies.
Interface directly with agency leadership and customer executive stakeholders to align data capabilities with mission objectives.
Qualifications:
Clearance: Must be a US Citizen holding an active TS/SCI security clearance with an active Full-Scope Polygraph.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s degree preferred).
Experience: 15+ years of data engineering experience.
SME Technical Competencies:
Data Processing Frameworks: Enterprise architecture, framework evaluation, and platform strategy across processing systems.
Database Systems: Architecting petabyte-scale lakehouse infrastructure, distributed storage optimization, and cross-region replication.
Data Modeling: Strategic enterprise data domain modeling, enterprise ontology design, and schema evolution governance.
Programming & Scripting: Multi-language mastery (Python, Scala, C++, Go) for low-level platform extension and memory-level engine optimization.
Containerization: Enterprise multi-cluster Kubernetes strategy, zero-trust container architecture, and data infrastructure scheduling.
Agile Frameworks: Strategic Agile transformation, scaled program delivery (SAFe), and technical governance.
Multi-Cloud Architecture: Hybrid, multi-cloud, and air-gapped enterprise data strategy and infrastructure execution.
Security Scanning Tooling: Enterprise DevSecOps authority, security compliance posture, and risk mitigation strategies.
Desired Qualifications:
Advanced Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Kubernetes Certified Administrator (CKA).
Deep understanding of high-assurance systems, zero-trust data governance, and national security data…