Ai Data Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking a skilled and motivated Lead Data & AI Analyst / Engineer to join our organization to support Peraton corporate data and AI knowledge strategy. You will serve as a technical lead and subject matter expert, collaborating closely with corporate stakeholders, data architects, and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, secure, and data and knowledge products that further Peraton corporate growth and business acquisition processes.  This mid-level role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing the AI data foundation that powers Peraton's AI adoption initiatives - ensuring that the right data is available, governed, trusted, and accessible for the right analytical and AI-driven purposes.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Planning & Architecture

• Define, document and maintain the AI and data requirements and quality standards for Corporate Growth & Business Operations - both structured and unstructured data
• Define and document data domain models, entity relationships, and data flow diagrams across source systems (CRM, ERP, HRIS, proposal repositories, contract vehicles)
• Work within the CIO-managed data catalog to ensure Growth & Business Operations data assets are properly inventoried, normalized, classified, tagged by domain and sensitivity, and discoverable by authorized AI consumers
• Participate in enterprise data governance forums and represent the AI and data requirements, priorities on CIO managed data assets.
• Partner with the CIO office to define and enforce data quality standards - including completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and consistency scoring - for data assets feeding AI workflows

Data Integration, Engineering & Pipeline Development

• Develop and manage AI-specific data pipelines to CIO managed lakehouse/warehouse environments
• Collaborate with IRAD engineers to integrate data pipelines into the broader AI platform infrastructure
• Coordinate with the CIO office to define data access patterns, API contracts, and export/query interfaces that allow AI workloads to consume enterprise data efficiently and securely
• Implement data versioning and lineage tracking at the AI consumption layer to ensure full traceability from CIO-managed source to AI-generated output

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Data Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a closely related field
• 5-7 years of progressive, hands-on experience in data analytics, data engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated experience delivering data solutions in support of government, defense, or large-scale enterprise programs
• SQL & Databases: Strong command of SQL and experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server)
• ETL / ELT Pipelines: Hands-on experience designing and implementing data pipelines using tools such as Apache Airflow, Informatica, Talend, dbt, or equivalent
• Cloud Platforms: Experience with AWS, Microsoft Azure, including managed data services (Azure Synapse, BigQuery)
• BI & Visualization: Proficiency with Power BI, Alteryx, or equivalent business intelligence tools
• Data Warehousing: Familiarity with data warehousing concepts, dimensional modeling, and data lake architecture (ADLS, ADF)
• Must be a US citizen willing to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience navigating shared infrastructure models - consuming centrally managed data platforms without owning the underlying infrastructure
• Prior experience working with or alongside a CIO office or enterprise IT governance function in a consumer/integrator capacity
• Knowledge of NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) and its data-related implications
• Relevant certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate, dbt Certified Developer, CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional), or equivalent
• Active TS/SCI security clearance

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$86,000 - $138,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME