Senior Big Data Engineer (Java, Kafka, Spark, ETL)

Location: Ashburn, VA (Hybrid/Remote)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required
Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a CBP Background Investigation (BI)

About the Opportunity

SDA is seeking a Senior Big Data Engineer / Java Data Integration Engineer to support the development and modernization of enterprise data ingestion, integration, search, and analytics platforms. This role is responsible for building scalable solutions that collect, normalize, enrich, transform, and distribute large volumes of data across enterprise systems, analytics platforms, and operational environments.

The ideal candidate combines strong Java development and data integration expertise with hands-on experience building modern Big Data solutions using technologies such as Kafka, Spark, Elasticsearch, and cloud-based platforms. This position is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving complex data challenges and working across the full data lifecycle—from ingestion and transformation to search, analytics, and operational support.

Core Technologies

What You'll Do

Design, develop, and maintain enterprise data ingestion, ETL, and data transformation solutions supporting both batch and real-time processing.
Build and support scalable Kafka-based streaming architectures for processing and distributing high-volume data.
Develop Java-based applications and services supporting enterprise data integration and transformation workflows.
Create Spark and Spark Streaming solutions to process, enrich, and analyze large datasets.
Design and support enterprise search capabilities using Elasticsearch to enable data discovery, investigative workflows, analytics, and operational decision-making.
Analyze source and target data structures and develop source-to-target mapping specifications.
Integrate data from multiple structured and semi-structured sources while ensuring data integrity, consistency, traceability, and performance.
Develop REST APIs and system integration services that enable data exchange across enterprise platforms.
Support data migration, modernization, and cloud transformation initiatives.
Perform data validation, reconciliation, profiling, and quality assurance activities.
Implement and support data quality, governance, lineage, and validation processes across ingestion and transformation pipelines.
Optimize SQL queries, database processes, and distributed data pipelines.
Troubleshoot production issues and improve platform reliability, scalability, and performance.
Collaborate with architects, developers, analysts, and stakeholders to design and implement technical solutions.
Support onboarding efforts for data consumers and integration partners.
Evaluate emerging technologies and develop proof-of-concept solutions.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical leadership initiatives.

Required Qualifications

U.S. Citizen.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
5-10+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Software Engineering, ETL Development, or Enterprise Data Integration.
Strong hands-on Java development experience.
Experience designing and implementing ETL and data integration solutions.
Experience building and supporting Apache Kafka producers, consumers, and streaming applications.
Experience developing applications using Apache Spark and/or Spark Streaming.
Strong SQL and relational database experience, including Oracle.
Experience creating and maintaining source-to-target data mappings.
Experience with data transformation, data migration, and data validation activities.
Experience developing REST APIs and integration services.
Experience working with XML, JSON, CSV, and other structured or semi-structured data formats.
Experience supporting Linux/Unix environments.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Elasticsearch and enterprise search platforms.
Experience with Hadoop ecosystem technologies.
Experience with Scala development.
Experience with MongoDB, DocumentDB, HBase, Delta Lake, Redshift, or other Big Data technologies.
Experience with ETL tools such as Apache NiFi, AWS Glue, Talend, Informatica, Pentaho, or SSIS.
Experience with event-driven architectures and enterprise messaging technologies.
Experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
Experience supporting AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform environments.
Experience supporting enterprise data migration or modernization initiatives.
Experience working in Agile software development environments.
Experience supporting large-scale analytics, risk assessment, investigative, intelligence, law enforcement, or operational decision-support systems.

Technologies You'll Work With

Programming & Development

Java
Scala
SQL
Spring Framework
Spring Boot
REST APIs

Data Integration & ETL

ETL Development
Data Mapping & Transformation
Data Migration
Apache NiFi
AWS Glue
Informatica
Talend

Big Data & Streaming

Apache Kafka
Apache Spark
Spark Streaming
Hadoop
HBase
Delta Lake

Search & Analytics

Elasticsearch

Databases

Oracle
PostgreSQL
MongoDB
DocumentDB
Redshift
Relational & NoSQL Databases

Cloud & DevOps

AWS
Azure
Google Cloud Platform
Docker
Kubernetes
CI/CD Pipelines

Why Join SDA?

Work with modern Big Data, cloud, and enterprise integration technologies.
Design and build large-scale data platforms supporting mission-critical operations.
Collaborate with highly skilled engineers, architects, and data professionals.
Influence technical direction and solution architecture.
Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Flexible hybrid work environment.
Opportunities for professional growth and technical leadership.

If you're passionate about building scalable data platforms, solving complex integration challenges, and working with modern Big Data technologies, we'd love to hear from you.

About SDA

Systems Development and Analysis, Inc. (SDA) has decades of success making system concepts an operational reality for agencies on the front lines of homeland security, law enforcement and national defense.

We are focused on our clients’ missions and hold ourselves accountable for their operational success. We operate with independence and integrity so that we can provide unfettered advice. By understanding and appreciating their world, we earn the trust to innovate and apply leading edge technology on behalf of our clients.

SDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. SDA is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Designs and builds software services and integrations; mentors developers.

Systems Development and Analysis Inc

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Senior Big Data Engineer (Java, Kafka, Spark, ETL)