Associate Data Engineer

About the Role

Raft is seeking an experienced Associate Data Engineer to join our team and support our customers. In this role, you will be at the forefront of developing a cloud-native, cutting-edge real-time data platform for the Department of Defense (DoD). Our mission is to enhance operators' awareness of critical events by aggregating real-time data from over 750 sensors, enriching it, and rendering it searchable. This data is then presented as a common operational picture to empower operators in making timely and informed decisions.

Our system efficiently processes over a billion events daily with millisecond-level latency, employing key technologies such as Kafka, Kafka Streams, Pinot, Java, Scala, and Kubernetes. You will engage in hands-on collaboration with a team of accomplished individuals, collectively striving towards excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a real-time data platform using Java, Scala, or Kotlin.
• Implement and manage Kafka and Kafka Streams for data processing.
• Create web-socket and RESTful APIs.
• Configure CI/CD pipelines using GitLab Runners.
• Monitor and log Kubernetes environments using tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Fluentbit, Kibana, and Loki.
• Work with AWS and other cloud computing solutions.
• Collaborate in a fast-paced team environment, making technical decisions aligned with the team’s objectives.

Requirements

• Up to 2 years of relevant hands-on industry experience.
• Proficiency in Java, Scala, or Kotlin.
• Experience with Kafka and Kafka Streams.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of AWS and/or other cloud computing solutions.
• Ability to obtain Security+ certification within the first 90 days of employment.
• Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.

Preferred Skills

• Strong problem-solving abilities and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt to changing business requirements.
• Any certification related to data management or data engineering is beneficial.

Clearance Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

What We Offer

• Highly competitive salary.
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) and company match.
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays.
• Education & training benefits.
• Annual budget for your tech/gadgets needs.
• Monthly box of yummy snacks to eat while doing meaningful work.
• Remote, hybrid, and flexible work options.
• Team off-site in fun places!
• Generous Referral Bonuses.

About Raft

Raft is a digital consulting firm with niche expertise in the rapid delivery of modern, user-first, scalable, and data-intensive digital solutions. We accelerate the missions of our federal partners through human-centered design (HCD) and agile development practices, bringing deep technical expertise in DevSecOps, Kubernetes management, cloud-native microservice architectures, and secure, open source delivery.

We put our people and our culture first. We work with some of the smartest, hardest working experts in their field. We owe it to them to make sure our team is free of meaningless restrictions and internal politics so they can focus on what they love, finding innovative solutions.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.