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Data Curator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Data Curation Lead

Arlington, VA · On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

Data Curation Lead Location: National Capital Region Category: Contingent Schedule (FT/PT): FT Travel Required: NA Shift: Day Remote Type: Hybrid Clearance required: Active Secret Clearance required ...

Data Curation Lead

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$160K - $210K/yr

Data Curation Lead Location: National Capital Region Category: Contingent Schedule (FT/PT): FT Travel Required: NA Shift: Day Remote Type: Hybrid Clearance required: Active Secret Clearance required ...

Chenega Military, Intelligence & Operations Support (MIOS) is seeking a Data Manager / Curator to support data governance, data lifecycle management, and data quality initiatives. The role involves ...

Req ID: 40891 Summary Data Manager / Curator Arlington, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your career in a rapidly evolving business climate? Are you looking for a career where ...

Working within a cross-functional team and reporting to a technical lead, you will operate across the machine learning development lifecycle, from data curation and synthetic data generation to model ...

SUMMARY A detailoriented data curator responsible for organizing, entering, reviewing, and managing scientific information. This role requires strong scientific literacy, sound judgment, and the ...

Data Scientist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$106K - $180K/yr

Hands-on experience with data curation techniques for overhead imagery (optical or SAR) and computer vision model development * Experience building and maintaining ETL or data processing pipelines

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Data Curator information

See Washington salary details

$28.9K

$82.3K

$135.3K

How much do data curator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for data curator in Washington is $82,257.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,600.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a data curator do?

A Data Curator is responsible for collecting, organizing, and maintaining datasets to ensure they are accurate, accessible, and usable for analysis. They work with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to standardize metadata, establish data governance policies, and improve data quality. Data Curators often clean and enrich datasets, manage data repositories, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Their role is essential in making data more discoverable and valuable for decision-making and research.

What does a typical day look like for a data curator, and who do they usually collaborate with?

A typical day for a Data Curator involves collecting, organizing, and annotating datasets, maintaining data integrity, and updating records to comply with quality standards. Data Curators frequently work alongside data analysts, researchers, and IT professionals to ensure data is properly structured and easily accessible for various projects. You may also interact with data stewards or subject matter experts to validate metadata or resolve inconsistencies. Collaboration and communication are integral to the role, as you help bridge technical teams and end users, ensuring that data systems meet the evolving needs of the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the data curator position, and why are they important?

Success as a Data Curator requires strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a background in information management, data science, or a related field. Familiarity with data management tools, metadata standards (such as Dublin Core), and systems like relational databases and data repositories is highly advantageous, and certifications in data governance or data management can be beneficial. Excellent organizational skills, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset are key soft skills for this role. Mastery of these skills ensures data assets are accurately cataloged, accessible, and usable for stakeholders, supporting effective decision-making and research outcomes.

How do you become a data curator?

To become a data curator, individuals typically need a background in data management, information science, or related fields, along with skills in data organization, metadata standards, and database tools. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in data management and obtaining certifications such as Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) can also enhance prospects.

Is a data curator a good job?

A data curator is responsible for organizing, maintaining, and ensuring the quality of data within organizations, often using tools like databases and data management software. The role can offer stable employment, opportunities for specialization, and requires skills in data analysis and attention to detail. Job satisfaction depends on individual interests in data management and the industry environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Curator jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Data Curator jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Data Curator jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Data Curator job openings:

Infographic showing various Data Curator job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,257 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

GD164 Technical Data Curator

Greenbelt, MD • On-site

ADNET Systems, Inc.
IT Services • 201 - 500 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

GD 164 Technical Data Curator
ADNET Systems, Inc. is seeking a motivated and technically skilled Technical Data Curator to support the GES DISC team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. In this role, you will bridge the gap between raw Earth science data and the scientists and users who depend on it. You will work hands-on with large-scale atmospheric, precipitation, and climate datasets - ensuring they are well-documented, properly formatted, quality-checked, and accessible in modern cloud environments.
A key aspect of this role is serving as a technical liaison between data providers - such as instrument teams, mission science teams, and field campaign investigators - and the GES DISC archive. You will translate scientific data deliveries into well-curated, standards-compliant, archive-ready products that serve a broad user community.
The ideal candidate has experience both producing and consuming Earth science data - someone who understands the pain points of a data user firsthand and can translate that empathy into better data products and services.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Data Ingest & Management: Receive, validate, and ingest Earth science data products into the GES DISC archive; ensure data integrity and compliance with metadata standards (e.g., CF Conventions, ACDD, ISO 19115, NASA UMM).
  • Cloud Data Stewardship: Manage and optimize data holdings in cloud environments (AWS S3); support and promote cloud-native data access patterns including direct S3 access and cloud-optimized formats such as Zarr and Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF (COG).
  • Format Expertise: Work with common Earth science data formats including HDF4, HDF5, NetCDF-4, GeoTIFF, and others; validate and transform datasets as needed to meet archive standards.
  • Scripting & Automation: Develop and maintain scripts and pipelines to automate data processing, validation, transformation, and quality assurance workflows, primarily in Python; engage with and maintain legacy code in Perl, SQL, or other languages as needed.
  • Data Provider Liaison: Serve as a primary point of contact for data providers (e.g., instrument teams, mission science teams, field campaign investigators); communicate technical requirements for data format, metadata standards, and delivery protocols; collaborate with providers to resolve data quality issues prior to and following archive ingest.
  • User Support: Serve as a technical resource for data users; troubleshoot data access issues, respond to user inquiries, and advocate for user needs in tool and system improvements.
  • Collaboration: Coordinate with data providers, GES DISC platform engineers, NASA civil servants (at GES DISC and ESDIS), and the broader DAAC community to implement best practices and ensure consistency across the data archive.
  • Emerging Standards: Stay current with evolving data standards, formats, and community practices (e.g., STAC, OGC APIs, Zarr, cloud-optimized formats).

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Earth Science, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Geography, Information Science, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
  • Strong Python programming skills, including experience with Earth science libraries such as xarray, netCDF4, h5py, numpy, pandas, or similar
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience working with gridded (Level 3) and swath (Level 2) data in HDF4/5 and/or NetCDF formats
  • Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS preferred) and cloud storage concepts (e.g., object storage, cloud-optimized data access)
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively with external stakeholders such as data providers, science teams, or mission teams
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce clear technical documentation
  • Knowledge of version control systems (e.g., Git/GitHub)
  • US Citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 1 Investigation through NASA.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience working with or within a NASA DAAC or similar data repository (e.g., NSIDC, ORNL, ASDC, PO.DAAC)
  • Experience as a data user - i.e., has worked with Earth science datasets in a research, operational, or analytical context and understands common user workflows and pain points
  • Prior experience acting as a technical point of contact or liaison for data providers or external science teams
  • Familiarity with GES DISC data holdings or tools such as Giovanni, Earthdata Search, and OPeNDAP
  • Familiarity with atmospheric science, precipitation, hydrology, or climate data and the communities that use them
  • Knowledge of metadata standards such as CF Conventions, ACDD, ISO 19115, or NASA's Unified Metadata Model (UMM)
  • Experience with cloud-optimized formats (Zarr, COG, STAC)
  • Experience with database management and SQL query writing
  • Familiarity with data access protocols such as OPeNDAP, THREDDS, or Earthdata APIs
  • Experience with containerization tools (e.g., Docker)
  • Contributions to open-source Earth science software or data communities

Team ADNET brings over 30 years of experience to information systems and professional services for the federal government. With a history of expertise in software development, computer network design, IT security, mission operations support, and educational outreach, Team ADNET is deeply embedded in the Space and Earth Science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.
ADNET Systems, Inc. is working with Goddard Space Flight Center to fulfill NASA's vision for space exploration, and working with the Science and Exploration Directorate to fulfill its many missions.
ADNET Systems, Inc. is an employee-centric company, committed to providing premier benefits that support our employees and their families. With affordable medical and dental plans coupled with leading disability and life insurance options, ADNET offers our employees the benefits most sought after by today's professional candidate. Furthermore, our benefits package features the extras that distinguish us from other small businesses, ensuring our high employee retention that our customers appreciate.
Some features of our compensation plans and environment perks include:
  • Annual Leave/Sick Leave
  • Military and Family Emergency Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Performance Bonuses
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Direct Deposit Payroll
  • 401K Plan with Company Matching
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Swag bags