Enterprise Data Engineering & Operations Lead SME

Job Description

Everforth ECS is seeking an Enterprise Data Engineering & Operations Lead SME to work in the National Capital Region covering the Pentagon, Falls Church, and Fairfax . Please Note: This position is contingent upon contract award.

The War Data Platform (WDP) is a key initiative within the U.S. Department of War's (DoW) AI-First strategy introduced in early 2026. The WDP focuses on operational warfighting data and aims to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) on the battlefield. The WDP extends to Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret environments, and supports collaboration between Combatant Commands, Joint Staff directorates, Senior Executive Service leaders, and operational analysts.

The Enterprise Data Engineering & Operations Lead SME serves as the senior technical authority for all data engineering and operations activities supporting the WDP Core Integration program. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across all enclave architectures to ensure mission-ready, governed, and scalable data infrastructure for warfighters and defense decision-makers at enterprise scale.

Leads enterprise data operations and advanced engineering support for WDP Core Integration, coordinating with data platform, product, governance, tooling, and enablement teams to ensure data capabilities are reliable, supportable, secure, and mission-ready across Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret environments.
Leads development, publication, and ongoing refinement of the Enterprise Data Engineering and Operations Plan, defining governance structures, operational workflows, data lifecycle models, and cross-domain engineering objectives aligned with WDP Core Integration modernization priorities.
Oversees engineering of automated end-to-end data pipelines, medallion-layered storage patterns, streaming ingestion, and self-service data exchange capabilities using Databricks, Spark, Kafka, AWS GovCloud services, Azure Government components, and cross-domain transfer technologies.
Drives enterprise-level performance metrics including pipeline reliability, schema drift mitigation, data quality accuracy thresholds, latency targets, and recovery point objectives.
Directs Data Operations functions by orchestrating Tier-2 and Tier-3 support, root-cause diagnostics, SLA monitoring, and customer onboarding workflows in support of Combatant Commands, Joint Staff elements, and analytic mission partners across enclaves.
Guides development of training artifacts, runbooks, and productivity utilities supporting developer enablement and customer adoption of WDP data capabilities
Leads Data Tooling optimization by overseeing integration, hardening, and proactive monitoring of data catalogs, governance tools, orchestration systems, and data security capabilities.
Provides strategic leadership for WDP Core Integration Data Governance by enforcing policy, catalog hygiene, access control documentation, compliance alignment, and data stewardship enablement across mission partner communities.
Produces architecture artifacts, engineering recommendations, and operational readiness assessments that elevate WDP Core Integration resilience, scalability, and mission impact.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

Current Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
15 or more years of progressive, hands-on experience in enterprise data engineering, data architecture, or data platform operations
Demonstrated experience leading data engineering programs at enterprise scale, including ownership of pipeline development, data governance frameworks, and tiered operational support models
Proven expertise with big data and streaming technologies, including Apache Spark, Apache Kafka, and Databricks
Direct experience designing, deploying, and managing multi-layered (medallion architecture) data systems and automated pipeline ecosystems
Hands-on experience with federal cloud environments, including AWS GovCloud and/or Azure Government, with demonstrated knowledge of multi-enclave architectures across NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS
Experience defining and enforcing enterprise data governance policies, metadata catalog standards, access control documentation, and regulatory compliance frameworks
Familiarity with cross-domain transfer technologies and secure data exchange processes across classified security enclaves
Demonstrated ability to manage SLAs, conduct structured root-cause analysis, and lead tiered (Tier-2/Tier-3) operational support organizations
Experience coordinating data permissions, onboarding workflows, and capability enablement for diverse mission partner communities including Combatant Commands or Joint Staff elements
Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, with a proven ability to weigh the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and identify the most appropriate solution
Highly developed interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, with the ability to effectively and professionally interact with a diverse set of stakeholders (from peers to end-users to executive management)

Desired Skills

Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility.
Prior experience supporting Department of War (DoW) enterprise data platforms such as WDP, Advana, or comparable defense or intelligence community analytics environments
Familiarity with AI and machine learning data pipeline requirements, including experience integrating data engineering practices with ML model lifecycle management and decision-support applications
Knowledge of Risk Management Framework (RMF), Zero Trust architecture principles, and continuous monitoring practices as applied to classified data systems and platform operations
Experience with DevSecOps methodologies, CI/CD pipeline integration, and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) approaches within classified or FedRAMP-authorized cloud environments
Strong executive-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex data engineering concepts for senior defense leadership, mission partners, and non-technical audiences.
Experience with or strong interest in Bayesian statistical frameworks, particularly Bayesian causal inference, to support uncertainty-aware analysis, intervention evaluation, and decision-making in complex operational environments.
Experience with or strong interest in designing semantic data interfaces, metadata layers, or API-based data products that enable automated workflows, AI assistants, and emerging agentic AI capabilities.

ECS Federal LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis any characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local jurisdiction law.

Everforth ECS is the federal segment of Everforth , a $4B global organization with over 10,000 employees. Our nearly 3,500 professionals deliver advanced technology solutions in data and AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise transformation, serving defense, intelligence, and federal civilian agencies.

Our work powers mission-critical outcomes, strengthens technology partnerships, and creates meaningful opportunities for our people. We are defined by a commitment to excellence in delivery, a culture of innovation, and an environment where talent can thrive and grow.

We value:

• Attracting and developing top talent and high-performing teams
• Fostering a culture that is engaging, accountable, and mission-driven