Senior Principal AI Data Engineer

General Dynamics

Confirmed live today High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Crystal City, VA
Salary: $174,250–$235,750 / yr
Posted: 73 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $190k

This role $205k

$131k $251k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 57% of similar roles. Most pay $156,875–$223,000 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $205k versus about $190k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About General Dynamics

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company offering a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation, ship construction, land combat vehicles, and information technology. It serves customers in the U.S. government, allied governments, and a diverse array of commercial markets.

General Dynamics currently has 1377 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $124,093–$150,385 across 1184 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Principal AI Data Engineer

Role Posting Log in to save

The Senior Principal AI Data Engineer will join the AI team to design, build, and operate data pipelines that ingest, store, and process high-volume, multi-source data for modern AI/ML processes. The role involves creating model-ready datasets, including features, embeddings, and prompts, while implementing scalable storage layers like data lakehouses and vector stores. Key responsibilities include enabling low-latency retrieval for query, inference, and retrieval-augmented generation applications. The candidate will utilize Apache Airflow, Python, SQL, Git, and Linux environments to manage ETL processes and workflow automation. Technical requirements include expertise in ElasticSearch/OpenSearch, vector databases, embedding models, event-driven architecture, microservices development, and cloud services like MinIO. This position solves the technical challenge of turning raw data into reliable, high-performance inputs for advanced analytics and AI models.

Skills

Apache Airflow Python ElasticSearch OpenSearch SQL Git CI/CD Vector Databases MinIO Linux ETL RAG Microservices Database Optimization Data Lakehouse

What you'll do

Design and implement scalable data pipelines and ETL processes using Apache Airflow for AI applications.
Build and tune search and retrieval capabilities using ElasticSearch and OpenSearch.
Optimize data access patterns and caching strategies to enable low-latency retrieval for RAG applications.
Create model-ready datasets including features, embeddings, and prompts for AI/ML processes.
Implement and manage scalable storage layers such as data lakehouses and vector stores.
Perform performance tuning across pipeline components, storage layers, and compute resources in Linux environments.
Manage version control, peer code reviews, and CI/CD workflows using Git.

What we're looking for

Must possess a current Top Secret/SCI clearance and be able to obtain a CI polygraph.
Must be a US Citizen.
Must have 10+ years of related experience.
Must have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Must have strong programming skills in Python.
Must have experience with Apache Airflow, SQL, Git, and Linux environments.
Must have experience with ElasticSearch/OpenSearch and database optimization techniques.
TS/SCI Clearance with current or willingness to obtain CI polygraph.

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