Senior Big Data Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a hands-on, heavy-hitting Software Engineer specializing in distributed big data infrastructure and processing to join our team in Annapolis Junction, MD. In this role, you will design, enhance, and sustain processing-intensive data analytics, Map/Reduce engines, and Accumulo data stores handling massive datasets. You won't just write code—you will actively manage, deploy, and troubleshoot low-level cluster operations, handling real-world issues like offlining bad HDFS nodes or troubleshooting degraded Accumulo tservers.

Leveraging Java, Ansible automation, and Kubernetes orchestration, you will directly support Data Warehouse architectures and critical processing pipelines. If you thrive on keeping complex big data environments performing at peak speed and reliability, you’ll fit right in with Team Nyla.

If you have the unique experience and expertise we are seeking, along with the desire and determination to invest your time and energy as a part of Nyla’s team,

The annual base salary range for this role is $186,000-$220,000 (USD) , which does not include discretionary bonus compensation or our comprehensive benefits package. Actual compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other things.

Active security clearance at the TS/SCI polygraph level is required.

• Big Data Infrastructure & Sustainment:
  Practical experience deploying, configuring, and troubleshooting Hadoop, Map/Reduce, Accumulo, and Zoo Keeper infrastructure.
• Java Engineering:
  Strong proficiency in core Java for distributed data processing applications and analytic development.
• Map/Reduce & Accumulo Development:
  Direct experience writing Map/Reduce applications, custom Accumulo iterators, scanners, and managing bulk/streaming ingest pipelines.
• Cluster Operations & Hardware Troubleshooting:
  Hands-on experience isolating and fixing cluster failures (e.g., node offlining, bad disks, memory failures on tservers).
• Automated Configuration & Containers:
  Proficiency developing and running Ansible playbooks alongside foundational experience deploying/troubleshooting workloads in Kubernetes.
• Data Warehouse Pipelines:
  Familiarity with high-throughput Data Warehouse processing workflows and pipeline architectures.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline, PLUS 7+ years of professional software engineering experience OR Master’s Degree in a related field, PLUS 5+ years of specialized software engineering experience OR High School Diploma / GED
, PLUS 11+ years of hands-on technical software development and big data administration experience in lieu of a degree.

• Advanced Kubernetes Orchestration: Experience authoring custom Helm charts, operators, or managing multi-tenant Kubernetes clusters.
• Linux System Administration: Deep shell scripting skills (Bash) and low-level Linux kernel tuning for big data storage nodes.
• CI/CD Automation: Experience integrating automated testing and build pipelines for big data components using Git Lab CI/CD or Jenkins.
• Data Model Optimization: Background in optimizing Accumulo schema designs and tablet distributions for large-scale analytical queries.

Nyla Technology Solutions delivers exceptional Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Software Engineering services for the U.S. Government. Nyla embraces a forward-thinking and bold approach at every turn, earning us a solid reputation of technical trendsetters within the industry. We have a passion for…