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Data Engineer Entry Level Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

SAIC

Java Developer Junior

Ashburn, VA · Hybrid

SW Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 10% of the time Minimum Clearance ... Generating test data and performing Data Validation by writing SQL queries. * Write automation test ...

Sargent & Lundy

Entry Level Civil Engineer

Elkridge, MD · On-site

$62K - $90K/yr

This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your civil ... You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools ...

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All JobsData Engineer Entry Level JobsData Engineer Entry Level Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Data Engineer Entry Level information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$46K

$134.1K

$183.5K

How much do data engineer entry level jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer entry level in Silver Spring, MD is $134,098.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I get a data engineer job with no experience?

Entry-level data engineering roles typically require some knowledge of programming, databases, and data processing tools like SQL, Python, or Spark. While prior experience is not always mandatory, demonstrating relevant skills through coursework, certifications, or personal projects can improve your chances of securing an entry-level position.

What are some typical projects or tasks that entry-level data engineers work on during their first year?

As an entry-level data engineer, you can expect to work on tasks such as building and maintaining data pipelines, cleaning and transforming raw data, and supporting the integration of different data sources. You'll often collaborate with data analysts and more senior engineers to ensure data is accurate, accessible, and well-documented. Early projects might include automating data extraction processes, setting up basic ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) workflows, or optimizing database queries. These foundational responsibilities help build the technical and teamwork skills essential for career growth in data engineering.

Will AI replace data engineer?

AI is unlikely to fully replace data engineers, as their role involves designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines, which require complex problem-solving and domain expertise. Instead, AI tools can augment their work by automating routine tasks, allowing data engineers to focus on more strategic and complex aspects of data management and analysis.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most entry-level data engineers do not earn this level of salary, highly experienced data engineers working in finance, technology, or consulting firms can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Such salaries typically require advanced skills in big data tools, cloud platforms, and extensive industry experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Data Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Data Engineer, you need foundational knowledge in programming (such as Python or SQL), data structures, and database management, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with ETL tools, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), and version control systems is typically expected. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with teams and adapt to evolving data needs. These skills ensure accurate data processing, efficient pipeline development, and successful integration within data-driven organizations.

Is data engineering an entry level job?

Data engineering can be an entry level position, especially for roles that focus on basic data pipeline development and require foundational skills in SQL, Python, or cloud platforms. However, many data engineering roles prefer candidates with some experience or knowledge of big data tools like Hadoop or Spark, making some positions more suitable for those with intermediate skills.

What does a Data Engineer Entry Level do?

An entry-level data engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining systems that allow organizations to collect, store, and analyze large amounts of data. They typically work with databases, data pipelines, and cloud platforms to ensure data is accessible and reliable for analysis. Entry-level data engineers often assist with cleaning and transforming raw data, automating data workflows, and supporting data scientists and analysts. They also learn best practices in data security and performance optimization as they gain experience.

What is the difference between Data Engineer Entry Level vs Data Analyst Entry Level?

AspectData Engineer Entry LevelData Analyst Entry Level
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, IT, or related field; some certifications (e.g., Google Cloud, AWS)Bachelor's in Statistics, Math, or related field; certifications like Microsoft Data Analyst
Work EnvironmentFocus on building data pipelines, databases, and infrastructureFocus on interpreting data, creating reports, and visualizations
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare, where data infrastructure is keyBusiness intelligence, marketing, finance, and consulting firms

While both roles involve working with data, Data Engineer Entry Level focuses on developing and maintaining data infrastructure, whereas Data Analyst Entry Level emphasizes analyzing data to generate insights. Both roles require strong technical skills and are essential in data-driven organizations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD? The most popular types of Data Engineer jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Data Engineer Entry Level jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Data Engineer Entry Level job openings:
Data Engineer Entry Level jobs near you
Federal AI Solutions Engineer (Entry Level)

Federal AI Solutions Engineer (Entry Level)

A-TEK Inc.

Mclean, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Empower, Innovate, Impact! At Team A-TEK, we EMPOWER people to drive INNOVATION that IMPACTS mission!

A-TEK operates at the intersection of mission and innovation by applying our deep domain expertise across the federal markets. Embracing our digital-first strategy, A-TEK provides enhanced capabilities in application development, digital transformation, enterprise IT, and scientific services. Our solutions are designed to modernize, automate, secure, protect, and enhance the operations of our federal clients, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Our work is fueled by a passion to serve our clients' needs and to protect the safety and welfare of Americans. That passion shapes how we nurture our most valuable asset – Our Employees. A-TEK actively cultivates the talent that drives our success and fosters a creative, challenging, and mission-driven work environment for current and future employees.

A-TEK is seeking an early-career Federal AI Solutions Engineer to support the design, development, and deployment of mission-focused AI and cloud solutions across AWS and Azure environments. This role is ideal for recent graduates with a strong academic foundation in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, software engineering, and cloud technologies who are eager to apply their skills to real-world federal mission challenges.

The engineer will work alongside senior architects and engineers to develop AI-enabled applications, cloud-native solutions, automation workflows, and rapid prototypes that support A-TEK's DigitalShift innovation initiatives.

This is a hybrid role based in McLean, VA. No visa sponsorship is available for this role. This role requires the ability to obtain and retain a public trust level security clearance.

Key Responsibilities

AI Solution Development

  • Assist in the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered applications and prototypes using:
    • AWS Bedrock
    • Azure OpenAI
    • LangChain, LlamaIndex, Semantic Kernel, CrewAI, or similar frameworks
  • Develop and test prompt engineering strategies, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) workflows, and AI agent capabilities.
  • Support integration of AI solutions with APIs, enterprise systems, and cloud services.

Cloud Engineering

  • Build and maintain cloud-based environments in AWS and Azure.
  • Assist with infrastructure deployment using Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform, AWS CDK, or Bicep.
  • Support containerized deployments using ECS, EKS, or AKS.
  • Participate in CI/CD implementation and cloud automation efforts.

Technical Support & Innovation

  • Support senior engineers in troubleshooting cloud, AI, and data integration challenges.
  • Assist in developing reusable templates, accelerators, and reference architectures.
  • Participate in rapid prototyping efforts that demonstrate mission value for federal customers.

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

  • Collaborate with Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Intelligence, and Agile Engineering teams.
  • Contribute to technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
  • Stay current with emerging AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies.

Security & Compliance

  • Support implementation of solutions that align with:
    • NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF)
    • FedRAMP requirements
    • Zero Trust principles
    • Secure coding and responsible AI practices

Required Qualifications

Education (Required)

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science with a concentration, specialization, minor, or significant coursework in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a closely related field.

Experience

  • 0–2 years of professional software engineering, AI/ML, or cloud development experience.
  • Relevant internships, research projects, capstone projects, graduate assistantships, or co-op experience may be substituted for professional experience.
  • Demonstrated programming experience in Python through coursework, projects, internships, or employment.

Technical Skills

  • Foundational understanding of machine learning, generative AI, and large language models.
  • Experience using cloud platforms (AWS or Azure) through coursework, internships, certifications, or projects.
  • Familiarity with:
    • REST APIs
    • Git version control
    • Containerization concepts
    • Data pipelines and databases
  • Understanding of prompt engineering, RAG concepts, or AI agents through academic or personal projects.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Certifications

One of the following is preferred within the first year of employment:

  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or AWS Solutions Architect Associate
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) or Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Academic or project experience with:
    • LangChain
    • LlamaIndex
    • Semantic Kernel
    • CrewAI
  • Exposure to vector databases such as Pinecone, Weaviate, FAISS, or Milvus.
  • Experience building AI, machine learning, or cloud-based capstone projects.
  • Familiarity with DevOps, MLOps, or CI/CD concepts.
  • Interest in federal government missions and emerging AI technologies.

Compensation

Salary Range

$85,000 – $105,000 annually

Salary will be determined based on education, certifications, internship experience, technical proficiency, and security clearance eligibility.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) with Employer Match
  • Paid Time Off and Federal Holidays
  • Professional Development and Certification Reimbursement
  • Career Growth and Mentorship Opportunities

Candidates may use tools (including AI) for proofreading or formatting; however, using any tool to fabricate, exaggerate, or misrepresent qualifications, experience, or work product is not permitted. We may assess application materials for job-related technical depth, internal consistency, and demonstrated hands-on experience, including through follow-up questions, skills assessments, or reference checks. Verification of education may be requested before or during the hiring process.

For security and identity verification purposes, participants may be asked to temporarily disable virtual backgrounds during portions of the call.

Misrepresentation or falsification may result in removal from further consideration. Candidates who need a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process may request one.

A-TEK, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or Vietnam era or other protected Veteran status.