Data Engineer - Senior

Prepared Date: 10/5/2026

A government contract requires that this position be restricted to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. You must provide documentation that you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to qualify.

This position requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance with a polygraph. Candidates holding an active Top Secret/SCI clearance without the polygraph may be selected; the ability to obtain the required polygraph is a condition of the position and will be completed as part of the hiring process.

Cherokee Strategic Edge is seeking a Data Engineer to support Defense analytical requirements with enhanced scientific research, and contribute to the DIE’s integrated all-source analysis of foreign defense capabilities for warfighters, Defense planners and policymakers.

Starting Salary Range for Data Engineer - Senior: $150,000 – $175,000

When considering your next opportunity, compensation is only part of the picture. We offer a benefits package designed to invest in your future and support your life outside of work.

• Up to a 6% 401(k) company match to help you build long-term financial security
• Paid time off as part of our comprehensive benefits package, so you have the flexibility to rest, recharge, and enjoy what matters most
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus prescription drug coverage
• Basic life and AD&D insurance, with supplemental life options
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Professional development, training, and certification support
• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, and identity theft protection

Because taking care of our employees isn’t just a promise, it’s part of who we are.

Benefits Are Subject To Change And Eligibility Requirements Apply.

• Designs, implements, and operates data management systems for intelligence needs.
• Designs how data will be stored, accessed, used, integrated, and managed by different data regimes and digital systems.
• Works with data users to determine, create, and populate optimal data architectures, structures, and systems.
• Plans, designs, and optimizes data throughput and query performance.
• Participates in the selection of backend database technologies
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• Experience implementing and enforcing security baselines to conform to network security policies on host workstations as well as on servers, typically Linux (Ubuntu & Redhat) and windows based
• Ability to standup and manage a compute and storage architecture using Citrix and/or VMWare's ESXi
• Experience with installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software
• Experience overseeing or conducting backup, recovery, and reconstitution activities
• Experience implementing controls
• Experience installing and maintaining servers (physical and virtual) used for network services, engineering storage solutions, and engineering virtual test environments
• DIA CIO 8570 compliant (SEC+ or higher) with the ability to gain Privileged Access Account authorization
• Experience creating and managing user accounts utilizing LDAP and experience implementing and managing PKI for authentication
• Experience managing Linux and Windows servers hosted on VMWare ESXi hypervisor
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology or related STEM degree program, or four years of equivalent level experience as a client Server Engineer.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; may occasionally require…