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Data Engineer Contract Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$110K - $166K/yr

Project Summary AIS is seeking a Data Engineer for an AI Engineering contract supporting a federal customer onsite in Alexandria, VA Key Responsibilities * Develop and deploy software into production ...

Data Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$115K - $139K/yr

Contract Tech stack: Python Pyspark node.js vue.js AWS EMR/Glue Lambda S3 SNS DynamoDB Databricks Description: Sr. Data Engineer Leads meetings with internal customers to determine data needs ...

Software/Data Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

$176K - $282K/yr

  • PTO

As a Software Data Engineer on our team, you will support one of the largest enterprise-wide engineering contracts within the Intelligence Community. This is a full-time position requiring 1880 hours ...

As a Software Data Engineer on our team, you will support one of the largest enterprise-wide engineering contracts within the Intelligence Community. This is a full-time position requiring 1880 hours ...

Software/Data Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

$176K - $282K/yr

  • PTO

As a Software Data Engineer on our team, you will support one of the largest enterprise-wide engineering contracts within the Intelligence Community. This is a full-time position requiring 1880 hours ...

Data Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$129K - $155K/yr

This contract supports the Joint Staff Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate (J5), through its ... The Data Engineer supports the J5 data infrastructure underpinning all of these functions, building ...

Data Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

Contract W2 Clearance: with Active Secret Clearance Top Skills 5+ years of experience in data engineering, application development, data science, or related technical field 3+ years of experience ...

Data Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$115K - $139K/yr

Mclean, VA Duration: Long term contract Note: Looking for Ex-Capital One Employee / Contractor About the Role: We are seeking an experienced Data Engineer to join our team supporting Capital One. The ...

Data Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$117K - $141K/yr

Altus Consulting is seeking a skilled Data Engineer to join our dynamic team. You will be ... However, it is not intended to be a contract, and we reserve the right to modify the at any time.

Data Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$117K - $141K/yr

Altus Consulting is seeking a skilled Data Engineer to join our dynamic team. You will be ... However, it is not intended to be a contract, and we reserve the right to modify the at any time.

Data Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$117K - $141K/yr

Altus Consulting is seeking a skilled Data Engineer to join our dynamic team. You will be ... However, it is not intended to be a contract, and we reserve the right to modify the at any time.

Data Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$117K - $141K/yr

Altus Consulting is seeking a skilled Data Engineer to join our dynamic team. You will be ... However, it is not intended to be a contract, and we reserve the right to modify the at any time.

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Data Engineer

Washington, DC · Remote

$98K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Data Engineer / Data Project Lead oversees data-focused staff assigned to the contract, ensures high-quality, secure, and sustainable data solutions, and applies user-centered, iterative ...

Data Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$145K - $160K/yr

This position is contingent upon contract award. The Data Engineer supports the construction and day-to-day operation of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data pipelines, contributing to the ...

Software/Data Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

$114K - $137K/yr

They are seeking a Software/Data Engineer to develop, maintain, and enhance complex software systems, support enterprise-wide engineering contracts, and ensure adherence to design requirements.

Data Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

Duration: Long Term Contract Positions Require a Secret Clearance The Data Engineer role requires a candidate with 10 years of expertise in database development, engineering, modernization, and data ...

Data Engineer

Alexandria, VA · Hybrid

$122K - $147K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

No Overtime Pay Contract Contingent Basis, generally located across the Alexandria, VA (Hybrid ... Systems Engineer. We seek Data Engineer | Workforce Planning & Strategic Human Capital Analytics ...

Data Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Data Engineer The Opportunity: Ever-expanding technology like IoT, machine learning, and artificial ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Data Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Data Engineer The Opportunity: Ever-expanding technology like IoT, machine learning, and artificial ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

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Showing results 1-20

Data Engineer Contract information

See Washington, DC salary details

$50.3K

$146.5K

$200.4K

How much do data engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer contract in Washington, DC is $146,477.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,300.00 and $155,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a data engineer contract?

As a Data Engineer contractor, your day-to-day tasks often include designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines, implementing ETL processes, and preparing datasets for analytics or machine learning teams. You may be asked to collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and other engineers to understand data requirements and resolve technical issues. Contractors also frequently assess data quality, optimize performance, and document their work for seamless team integration. The role is fast-paced and may require you to quickly adapt to new projects or technologies, making it ideal for those who enjoy dynamic, project-based environments.

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

To thrive as a Data Engineer Contract, you need expertise in data modeling, ETL processes, and proficiency with programming languages such as Python or SQL, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with big data platforms like Hadoop or Spark, experience with cloud services (AWS, GCP, or Azure), and certifications in relevant technologies are highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently are crucial soft skills. These abilities ensure data engineers can efficiently design scalable pipelines, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate across teams to support data-driven decision-making.

What is a data engineer contract?

A Data Engineer Contract job is a temporary or project-based role where a data engineer is hired for a specific duration to design, build, and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure. Contract data engineers often work with big data technologies, ETL processes, and cloud platforms to ensure data is efficiently processed and accessible. These roles can be short-term (a few months) or long-term (a year or more), depending on the project's needs. Contractors may work independently or as part of a larger data team, and they are typically paid hourly or per project rather than receiving a fixed salary and benefits like full-time employees.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Data Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer Contract jobs in Washington, DC?

For Data Engineer Contract jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Data Engineer Contract jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Data Engineer Contract jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Data Engineer Contract job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,477 per year, or $70.4 per hour.

$110K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Why AIS?

When you join AIS, you're joining a mission-driven team that's passionate about making a difference. You'll work on projects that matter, alongside industry-leading experts, in an environment that fosters innovation, driving client success, and empowering our team to make a lasting impact. As an employee-owned company, we value collaboration, inclusivity, continuous growth, and shared success.

  • Employee Ownership: Your contributions directly impact the company's success, and you share in its achievements.

  • Continuous Learning: Access to resources, training, and mentorship to support your professional growth.

  • Inclusive Culture: A workplace where diversity is celebrated, and everyone's voice is valued.

  • Mission-Driven Work: Engage in projects that make a meaningful difference for our clients and communities.

What are we looking for?

At AIS, we're looking for more than just skills - we're looking for driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference, eager to grow, and aligned with our core principles.

Working@AIS
At AIS, we are dedicated to providing our employees with diverse opportunities to grow their careers while supporting a variety of impactful projects. For this position, we are seeking a talented individual to join AIS as a Senior Data Analytics Engineer.
  • Core Knowledge & Skills: Optimizes complex SQL; applies advanced data modeling; leads robust ETL/ELT; uses big data technologies (e.g., Spark); enforces governance; implements ML/predictive solutions; manages scalable pipelines.

  • Work & Complexity: Solves high-complexity integration and performance challenges; runs multiple projects; delivers custom analytics solutions and automation for scale.

  • Quality & Independence: Sets benchmarks for data quality; drives continuous improvement; makes significant technical decisions with minimal oversight.

  • Teamwork & Communication: Leads cross-functional work; mentors engineers; communicates complex insights to senior leaders; integrates multi-stakeholder feedback.

  • Consulting & Engagement: Provides strategic consultation, leads client interactions, and advances consulting best practices.

As your initial project assignment, you will support the unique needs of our client as a Data Engineer. Project Summary

AIS is seeking a Data Engineer for an AI Engineering contract supporting a federal customer onsite in Alexandria, VA

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and deploy software into production in government environments.

  • Set up data validation steps.

  • Establish and maintain schemas.

Required For This Opportunity
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science (or closely related degree).

  • At least 5+ years of experience in Data Engineering.

  • Must have experience with Python, pandas, pandera, SQL, Postgres, Databricks, and Spark.

  • Must have a strong Python background.

  • Must have strong experience working with messy data, disparate data sources, establishing and maintaining schemas, and setting up data validation steps.

  • Must be comfortable working with large data workflows (100GB+).

  • Must have an Active Secret Clearance.

Nice to Have Skills
  • A related certification is preferred but not required.

At AIS, we are committed to offering competitive and fair compensation that reflects the skills, experience, and contributions of each team member. The targeted base salary range for this role is $110,000-$166,000 per year. Please note that this range is provided as a guideline and the final offer will be based on several factors, including but not limited to, skillset and competencies, level of experience, education, certifications, and location. We value transparency in our hiring process and are happy to discuss how your unique qualifications align with our compensation structure during the interview process.

Applied Information Sciences does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.