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Data Engineer Entry Level Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Network Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$68K - $75K/yr

Network Engineer, Entry Level opening! Must ALREADY have a TS/SCI polygraph clearance! Are you ... Monitors data or voice system networks for various messages, alarms, or issues. Activates scripts ...

New

Full Stack Software Engineer (Entry level - Senior Levels) Locations: Arlington, VA and areas ... Come join us to work on cloud-native full-stack web applications, advanced data analysis tools, and ...

Full Stack Software Engineer (Entry level - Senior Levels) Locations: Arlington, VA and areas ... Come join us to work on cloud-native full-stack web applications, advanced data analysis tools, and ...

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

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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 Jul 16, 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.

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.

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.

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:
Infographic showing various Data Engineer Entry Level job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,098 per year, or $64.5 per hour.
Data Engineer - Multiple Levels (TS/SCI with Poly Required)

Data Engineer - Multiple Levels (TS/SCI with Poly Required)

Red Alpha

Columbia, MD โ€ข On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Description
A little about us:
The Red Alpha Data Science practice grew out of Red Alpha's reputation in Software and System Engineering with our Department of Defense clients. As sometimes happens, customers who trust our expertise in adjacent areas asked Red Alpha to assist with some of their burgeoning Data Science problems.
Culturally, it probably suffices to say that we take our work seriously, but not ourselves. Our leaders have spent time in the trenches and have cursed daylight savings time changes and trailing whitespace as many times as you have. We like to say that we spend 80% of our time cleaning the data...and 20% of our time complaining about cleaning the data. Joking aside, our voices matter, and it is easy to see how our decisions affect the Data Science practice and Red Alpha as a whole. We have a clear vision of where we are headed.
Our team takes a pragmatic approach to Data Science, defining it loosely as the intersection of technical expertise, business acumen, and soft skills to solve business problems with data. We spend a lot of time trying to understand the problem before we set about building a solution, and we prefer lower tech useful solutions over shiny algorithms and dust on the shelf. Did we mention we're pragmatic? We have a diverse set of skills across our team, and whether you are a traditional Data Scientist (whatever that means...), an Applied Research Mathematician, a Database Engineer, a Full Stack Developer, or something else in that neighborhood, if you have a knack for picking apart data to make sense of it, we would enjoy having a conversation with you.
A day in the life:
Despite the title of this role being "Data Engineer" (which sounds very specific), it is actually a great opportunity to demonstrate the diversity of your skills across the data science spectrum. From procurement, consolidation, and cleansing to modeling and presentation, you will influence and add value in several areas across the data science life cycle in order to answer mission and business questions. Subject areas include but are not limited to the following:
  • Employ a variety of languages and tools (e.g., scripting languages) to integrate systems.
  • Conduct research and leverage large volumes of data from multiple sources to answer mission and business questions.
  • Employ sophisticated analytics, programs, machine learning, and statistical methods to prepare data for use in analytical processes and prescriptive modeling.
  • Explore and examine data for hidden patterns.
  • Automate work through the use of predictive and prescriptive analytics.
  • Develop processes to extract/transform/load (ETL) data between different systems.

What you bring to the table:
Now on to the fun of formal requirements - we have to apologize in advance for the corporate-speak here, but just hold your breath for a few lines and everything will be okay. We are actively hiring data professionals for roles across a broad range of skill levels and projects. Our goal is to find the best fit for you so please note that if you apply to one of them and we see a fit elsewhere we will let you know. So do not worry about applying initially for every position you might be interested in.
All of our data scientists need the following skills:
  • Proficiency with a scripting language such as R or Python
  • Experience with data science techniques and algorithms such as classification, clustering, random forests, deterministic forests (jk), hierarchical modeling, deep learning, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and others. Note that you do not need to have all of these (we hope you enjoyed our random smattering of techniques...!) but you should be comfortable and capable with several of them and know some others not on this list.
  • A B.S. Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field.
  • For entry-level data scientists, 0-3 years of experience on Data Science projects.
  • For mid-level data scientists, 3-6 years of experience on Data Science projects.
  • For senior-level data scientists, at least 6 years of experience on Data Science projects with at least 3 years of experience managing teams.
  • A TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance.

For this particular role, you will also need:
  • Experience in identifying, developing, and deploying new approaches to automate data collection, consolidation, and analysis
  • Proven ability to develop and deploy software and scripts needed to collect business-relevant metrics based on enterprise data

These are important skills to have, but not necessarily mandatory:
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills. You know, as in you might not be at the top of the list to be a game show host, but you do like people and enjoy solving problems jointly with your colleagues.
  • Experience with Java, C, or other compiled languages
  • Comprehensive knowledge of Saturday Night Live sketches (just kidding)
  • Experience with SQL/NoSQL, Spark, Hadoop
  • Familiarity with Javascript and Scripting
  • Familiarity with Docker, GitLab, and React
  • Familiarity with Agile processes and structures, and able to work on a software development team

The total package:
Our total compensation package was strategically designed with our members in mind with the intention to: reward our members for their hard work and commitment to our customers' missions; allow members to share in Red Alpha's success as we continue to grow and expand our footprint; provide long-term career opportunities through stability and internal mobility; and provide the resources our members need to support themselves and their dependents in the form of a robust benefits package. Our total compensation package includes a competitive base salary and benefits such as health, life/disability, 401k, paid time off, professional development, and generous bonus programs. Please visit our benefits tab for additional information.
Salary Range:
  • Disclosed pay ranges are a general guideline, and are not a guarantee of a final salary or compensation. Our approach in determining final salaries takes into consideration a number of factors such as education, certifications, total years of relevant professional experience, actual level of expertise, and the responsibilities of the role itself.
  • Based on the outlined roles, responsibilities, and requirements, the projected pay range for these positions are:
    • Entry-level: $95,000 - $135,000
    • Mid-level: $110,000 - $155,000
    • Senior-level: $135,000 - $235,000

Some of our additional perks and benefits include:
  • Retire sooner than planned: Get closer to retirement with up to 10% in 401k contributions, immediately vested.
  • Have a career AND a life: Enjoy up to 5 weeks of leave (25 days of personal time off) and 11 paid floating holidays.
  • Stay at your best: As a member, we'll pay 100% of your premiums for comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. We'll also pay the majority of the premiums for your family. Let's not forge free access to a fully equipped state of the art gym!
  • Keep current on new technologies and technological advancements: $5250 per year towards ongoing education, trainings, certifications, and maintaining professional memberships.
  • Dress in style: Spend up to $300 per year on company branded merchandise featuring top quality brands such as Under Armour, Nike, Carhartt, YETI, etc.
  • Enjoy the culture: Attend fun company events throughout the year such as our Oktoberfest, summer picnic, and annual holiday party! These are all in additon to your team events which may include happy hours, baseball games, snowboarding, RenFest, and more!

Every day, our elite customers are pushing through "the grind" to defeat the enemy, even putting their lives on the line for our freedom. Rise to the occasion with us to deliver engineering excellence, to match their dedication to this nation. Join us as we bring digital transformation to the fight!