Data Engineer / Data Architect (Remote)

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Engineer / Data Architect to join our team. In this role, you will architect and develop enterprise data models, metadata governance frameworks, ETL pipelines, and analytics platforms to support data governance, performance measurement, and business intelligence solutions for the VA Office of Information Technology (OIT). Your expertise in data modeling, ETL development, cloud data services, and metadata-driven architecture will be critical to the success of federal data platforms and analytics systems.

This position is a fully remote position within the United States.

The role involves end-to-end design, development. and maintenance of robust relational data models in SQL Server 2019+Enterprise to support metadata governance, request workflows, audit tracking, and version-controlled publishing. 

• Design, build, and maintain relational data models in SQL Server 2019+ Enterprise to support metadata governance, request submissions, audit tracking, version control, and production publishing pipelines.
• Architect multi-stage relational models for metadata lifecycle management, including intake submissions, staging, review, audit trail snapshots, approval tracking, and final publishing structures.
• Develop and maintain SSIS packages and ETL pipelines for metadata ingestion, transformation, validation, auditing, staging, and publishing processes supporting multi-layered data warehouse architectures.
• Apply hybrid cloud integration expertise utilizing Azure SQL, Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Synapse Analytics, and Azure Fabric to develop and support scalable data pipelines and platform modernization initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with business analysts, Power BI developers, Power Apps developers, and VA stakeholders to gather requirements and translate functional business needs into scalable technical data solutions.
• Build Power Platform integrations (Power BI, PowerApps, Power Automate) connecting to SQL Server and cloud data services; implement identity-based row-level filtering using Power Platform user context for submission-level security and role-based access control.
• Maintain fully auditable data models, including metadata change tracking, approval lineage, governance version control, and compliance documentation to support ATO certification, PMO audit packages, and federal regulatory standards.
• Conduct advanced query tuning, stored procedure optimization, index management, query plan evaluation, blocking and deadlock resolution, and performance troubleshooting across large relational data platforms.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including data dictionaries, entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs), data flow diagrams, process workflows, swimlane diagrams, system architecture diagrams, metadata catalogs, data lineage models, dependency mappings, and PMO governance documentation packages.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field with 5 - 8 years of experience. (or commensurate experience)
• 8+ years of experience in SQL Server database development, data architecture, and ETL design.
• 5+ years of experience in data warehouse architecture, metadata governance, and analytics platforms.
• Deep hands-on experience with SQL Server 2019 Enterprise (on-prem), SSIS, T-SQL, and relational database design.
• Cloud experience with Azure or AWS platforms.
• Proficiency in Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Synapse Analytics, and hybrid cloud integration for modernizing ETL pipelines.
• Experience with Azure DevOps and/or GitHub for version control, CI/CD pipeline automation, and release management.
• Power Platform experience integrating Power BI, PowerApps, and Power Automate into enterprise reporting and data governance solutions.
• SharePoint Online experience supporting integrated metadata governance processes.
• Knowledge of metadata-driven design patterns, audit trail frameworks, and enterprise governance architecture aligned to federal PMO standards.
• Strong technical documentation skills, including ERDs, data dictionaries, data flows, and process mapping.
• Strong experience in performance tuning, query optimization, and long-running job remediation.
• Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skills across the full data pipeline lifecycle.
• Familiarity with federal compliance frameworks (ATO, FISMA, NIST 800-53, FedRAMP).
• Ability to work within an established team and under quick turnaround requirements.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and project management tools. 

Clearance Required: Ability to obtain and maintain a Suitability/Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Microsoft Fabric platform (Power BI Premium, Data Warehousing, RLS security models).
• Additional experience with MongoDB or NoSQL stores.
• Python, PowerShell, C#, or other scripting for ETL and automation.
• Prior experience working within federal data governance or VA PMO environments.

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.

But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?

What You Can Expect

Interview & Hiring Process

If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:

• During the Interview Process
  • Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team
  • Camera must be on
  • A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview

• During the Hiring Process
  • Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening
  • Background check, to include:
    • Criminal history (past 7 years)
    • Verification of your highest level of education
    • Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application

Employee Perks

At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well-being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Corporate Discounts
• Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content
• Training, Education and Certification Assistance*
• Referral Bonus Program
• Internal Mobility Program
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Work Environment

*Available to full-time employees

Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.

Posted Pay Range

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.