Senior Data Engineer

**Job Title: Senior Data Engineer** Experience: 8 Years Employment Type: Contract / W2 Location: McLean, Virginia Duration: Contract Job Description We are looking for a Senior Data Engineer with 8 years of experience in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable data pipelines and data engineering solutions. The ideal candidate should have strong expertise in Python, SQL, ETL/ELT, cloud platforms, and big data technologies. Key Responsibilities \* Design, develop, and maintain scalable ETL/ELT pipelines. \* Develop data processing solutions using Python, PySpark, and SQL. \* Build and optimize data ingestion and transformation workflows. \* Work with large datasets, data lakes, and data warehouses. \* Develop and optimize complex SQL queries and database operations. \* Implement data quality checks, validation, and error-handling processes. \* Work with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP. \* Use Apache Spark and workflow orchestration tools to process and manage data pipelines. \* Collaborate with data architects, analysts, and business teams to understand requirements. \* Monitor pipeline performance, troubleshoot issues, and support production environments. \* Follow best practices for data security, governance, and performance optimization. \* Participate in code reviews, technical discussions, and Agile ceremonies. Required Skills \* 8 years of experience in Data Engineering. \* Strong proficiency in Python, SQL, and ETL/ELT processes. \* Hands-on experience with PySpark and Apache Spark. \* Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP. \* Knowledge of data warehousing and data lake architecture. \* Experience with Snowflake, Databricks, or other modern data platforms. \* Familiarity with Apache Airflow or similar orchestration tools. \* Experience with relational and NoSQL databases. \* Knowledge of Git, CI/CD, and data pipeline monitoring. \* Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills. Preferred Qualifications \* Experience with Kafka or other streaming technologies. \* Familiarity with Delta Lake and cloud-based data architectures. \* Experience with data modeling and data governance. \* Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments. Work Location: Hybrid remote in Aldie, VA 20105