Defense Unicorns · 21 hours ago
Data Engineer
United States
Full-time
Remote
Mid, Senior Level
$123K/yr - $167K/yrDefense Unicorns is a contractor for the U.S. government, delivering secure solutions for software integration and delivery. The Data Engineer will design data workflows and pipelines, ensure data quality, and implement systems engineering principles within AWS and Kubernetes environments.
AppsArtificial Intelligence (AI)National SecuritySoftwareSoftware Engineering
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Designing data workflows, pipelines, and pathways to support ETL/ELT, while ensuring data-quality and exchange of sensitive information across AWS cloud and on-prem environments
Implementing systems engineering principles to ensure the reliability, scalability, and maintainability of data layer systems, including backup and recovery strategies
Architecting, deploying, and operating data streaming technologies (Kafka, Redpanda, Kinesis, etc ) on Kubernetes with an emphasis on declarative definitions to reduce complexity in day-2 operations
Working with a platform team to implement best practices for configuration management, security, and performance optimization within Kubernetes and AWS environments
Working with a platform team to automate infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and scaling using tools such as Terraform working with cybersecurity SMEs to incorporate best practices and techniques to defend our data layer against potential threats
Ensuring that our data layer systems are compliant with industry and DoD regulations, standards, and best-practices
Staying up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies related to Kubernetes, containerization, and data engineering
Qualification
Required
U.S. Citizenship
Experience in designing data workflows, pipelines, and pathways to support ETL/ELT
Experience ensuring data-quality and exchange of sensitive information across AWS cloud and on-prem environments
Knowledge of systems engineering principles to ensure the reliability, scalability, and maintainability of data layer systems
Experience with backup and recovery strategies
Experience architecting, deploying, and operating data streaming technologies (Kafka, Redpanda, Kinesis, etc.) on Kubernetes
Ability to implement best practices for configuration management, security, and performance optimization within Kubernetes and AWS environments
Experience automating infrastructure provisioning, monitoring, and scaling using tools such as Terraform
Ability to work with cybersecurity SMEs to incorporate best practices and techniques to defend data layer against potential threats
Knowledge of compliance with industry and DoD regulations, standards, and best-practices
Ability to stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies related to Kubernetes, containerization, and data engineering
Travel expectations of 6-10 times per year
Ability to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level DoD security clearance
Preferred
Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining production data pipelines, databases, and data exchange services on Kubernetes
Experience in designing, deploying, and operating Kafka / Redpanda data streaming solutions on Kubernetes
Experience in creating data pipelines from scratch with the ability to process data in large volumes and manage data stores
Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and container orchestration systems like Kubernetes
Familiarity with API Security, Container Security, AWS Cloud Security
Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and best practices for securing data layer systems
Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical team members
Experience with machine learning and generative AI models
Benefits
Medical/Dental/Vision
Premiums are 100% Company Paid
Health Reimbursement Account
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Company Stock Options
Home Office Budget
Unlimited paid time off, with a mandatory 10 days off on top of 11 federal government holidays, week of Thanksgiving, last two weeks of December (including New Year’s Day)
Paid Parental Leave
Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions
Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees)
Company
Defense Unicorns
Defense Unicorns is a software startup that provides open-source software and AI capabilities for national security systems.
Founded in 2021
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$171.5MKey Investors
Bain Capital Tech Opportunities
2026-01-13Series B· $136M
2024-03-07Series A· $35M
2022-10-13Seed· $0.5M
Leadership Team
Robert Slaughter
Chief Executive Officer
Jeff McCoy
Chief Technology Officer
Recent News
alleywatch.com
2026-01-20
Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Funding
2026-01-16
Company data provided by crunchbase