Data & AI Engineer

Dark Wolf Solutions is seeking a Data & AI Engineer specializing in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to architect, deploy, and scale secure, resilient data, machine learning, and generative AI workflows. This hybrid role supports enterprise data platform architecture with governance, zero-trust security, and operational readiness across air-gapped and multi-cloud environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and implementation of cloud-native distributed, high-throughput batch and streaming data platforms.
• Optimize distributed execution engines to process petabyte-scale datasets while meeting strict SLAs.
• Build and collaborate on Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to provision data platform assets across multi-cloud infrastructure.
• Establish zero-trust security controls, data lineage tooling, and automated compliance scanning for regulated data environments.
• Design and manage ETL/ELT pipelines using Google Cloud services including Cloud Storage, Dataflow, Cloud Run, Agent Platform, and BigQuery.
• Apply knowledge of large-scale data processing frameworks, including Apache Spark.
• Architect and process large-scale datasets and cloud data warehouses using tools such as Google BigQuery and Knowledge Catalog.
• Use programming to create automation scripts, manage data structures, and integrate with APIs.
• Configure and manage GCP services including Compute Engine, App Engine, Kubernetes Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Dataflow, and Cloud SQL.
• Enforce cloud security best practices and support DoD/DISA Authority to Operate (ATO) processes.
• Serve as Technical Pod Lead by driving Agile spring deliverables, establishing technical standards, and mentoring data engineering staff.
• Stay current on the latest GCP services and technologies.
• Collaborate in a fast-paced Agile team environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 4+ years of data engineering experience.
• 4+ years of experience architecting data structures for model grounding and engineering pipelines that transform raw data into tool-accessible assets for agentic workflows.
• 4+ years of experience with Python, Scala, SQL, and Go for high-performance data platform development.
• 4+ years of experience with distributed systems internals, LMS trees, column-family stores, and data warehouse and lakehouse storage formats.
• 4+ years of experience with Kubernetes cluster management, custom operators for data platforms, and service mesh integration.
• 4+ years of experience in enterprise data strategy, conceptual-to-physical data modeling, and streaming data schema contracts.
• 4+ years of experience on GCP supporting AI/ML research, experimentation, and production delivery.
• Experience with Apache Spark, Flink, Kafka, Ray, and workflow orchestration engines.
• Experience architecting multi-cloud and hybrid cloud data platform solutions using IaC (Terraform).
• Understanding of DevSecOps pipelines, automated compliance testing, and secret rotation management.
• Strong understanding of GCP services and technologies.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen holding an active Secret Security Clearance.

Technologies

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Google services
• Cloud Storage, Dataflow, Cloud Run, Agent Platform, BigQuery
• Apache Spark, Knowledge Catalog
• Compute Engine, App Engine, Kubernetes Engine, Cloud SQL
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Terraform
• Python, Scala, SQL, Go
• Kubernetes, service mesh integration
• Apache Flink, Kafka, Ray
• Workflow orchestration engines

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Google Cloud Professional Certification (e.g., Data Engineer, ML Engineer, Cloud Architect) or CISSP.
• Proven track record architecting data solutions for deployment in air-gapped or high-assurance defense networks.
• Experience with GCP security/compliance products (Security Command Center, Assured Workloads) and DoD/DISA cybersecurity policies.

Role Details

• Location: Herndon, VA (hybrid)
• Compensation: USD 120,000 - 190,000 per year