Junior Data Engineer (SQL)
The Junior Data Engineer at Confidential Client supports federal agency data platforms by building and maintaining SQL queries, stored procedures, and views primarily on Amazon Aurora (PostgreSQL-compatible). This hybrid role involves working with AWS data services like DynamoDB and S3, contributing to data modeling and database design, and growing technical expertise under senior developer guidance in a mission-driven, collaborative environment focused on government AI and data innovation.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
Confidential Client is hiring a Junior Data Engineer (SQL) to work on federal data platforms in a hybrid role based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This is a full-time W-2 opportunity with an initial salary range of $80,000–$95,000 per year. The role requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a Public Trust determination.
What You’ll Do
As a Junior Data Engineer you'll work under senior guidance to build, maintain, and optimize the SQL components that keep an enterprise data platform running. Typical responsibilities include:
- Build and maintain SQL queries, stored procedures, and views on Amazon Aurora (PostgreSQL-compatible)
- Load and transform data from Amazon S3 and work with Amazon DynamoDB
- Contribute to logical data models and participate in database-design reviews
- Implement reliable data loads, tune queries with mentor support, and follow governed access patterns
- Document work clearly and communicate progress, blockers, and next steps to the team
Required Qualifications
- 1+ years of data engineering, database development, software development, or comparable practical experience
- Bachelor's degree
- Working knowledge of SQL, stored procedures, and views on Amazon Aurora (PostgreSQL-compatible)
- Familiarity with Amazon DynamoDB and Amazon S3
- Exposure to ETL/ELT patterns and AWS data integration
- Awareness of data security controls (encryption, access management, auditing)
- Basic experience loading data from S3 and using ODBC/JDBC connections
- Introductory familiarity with logical data modeling
- Strong written communication and proficiency with PowerPoint and Excel
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain Public Trust clearance (required for this engagement)
Preferred (Nice to Have)
- Entry-level AWS certification (e.g., AWS Cloud Practitioner) or interest in earning one
- Exposure to query blocking, locking, and deadlocks
- Interest in cloud-native application support with CI/CD and DevSecOps practices
- Exposure or motivation to grow into physical schema and index design for Aurora and DynamoDB
- Experience with federal IT or high-volume transaction systems
- Interest in AI-assisted developer tooling
Who You Are
- You care about data quality and want a career in data engineering
- You proactively ask for help, iterate on feedback, and own outcomes
- You work carefully where accuracy and auditability matter
- You communicate clearly about progress and blockers
Benefits
- Salary: $80,000 to $95,000 per year (full-time W-2)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee premium fully paid; dependent premiums partially paid)
- Employer-paid life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 4% of salary, immediate vesting
- Unlimited paid time off
- Sponsored professional certifications and continuing education
What We Offer
Work alongside engineers, data scientists, architects, and strategists on meaningful government data projects. The client supports onboarding, training, and career growth across assignments.
How We Hire
Be ready to discuss a difficult technical problem you solved, the decisions you made, outcomes, and lessons learned. This posting is managed by Careertakes on behalf of a confidential client in the IT industry.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
Negotiate a higher salary! Check the salary ranges for this job type in your area.
View My Salary Range