About this role
Job SummaryAs a Senior Data Engineer in CPSC's Analytics Center of Excellence, you'll design, build, and maintain the data pipelines and infrastructure that allow CPSC to collect, process, and leverage high-quality data for analytics and operational needs. You will ensure data is reliable, accessible, and optimized for downstream use by data scientists, analysts, and AI/ML systems that drive policy, modernization, and safety decisions.
QualificationsIn addition to the mandatory education requirement, all applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: GS-14: 1) Experience translating a broad analytical or organizational vision into a technical data architecture, including designing scalable, cloud-based data environments and pipelines; 2) managing complex data architectures across cloud and on-premise environments; 3) developing and implementing enterprise data governance practices, such as data quality controls, lineage, security, and interoperability standards; 4) leading data engineering solutions that integrate diverse data sources through robust ETL/ELT workflows, APIs, and microservices supported by deep experience with distributed systems, modern data warehousing technologies, and the scripting and programming languages required for large-scale data integration; 5) applying advanced data engineering methods to solve complex technical challenges and enable agency-wide analytics; and 6) collaborating with technical experts and program stakeholders to design and deliver practical, data-driven solutions that support mission needs. Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.
Major DutiesThis position is officially titled Data Scientist. The working title is Senior Data Engineer. The Senior Data Engineer serves as a technical authority within the Analytics Center of Excellence (COE), responsible for architecting, leading, and optimizing enterprise-scale data solutions that drive advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI initiatives across the agency. This position is pivotal in shaping CPSC's data strategy, ensuring robust, secure, and scalable data infrastructure to support mission-critical programs and inform policy decisions. The incumbent regularly interfaces with senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners to advance the agency's evidence-based, data-driven culture. The Senior Data Engineer: Directs the design and implementation of complex, scalable data pipelines and services, leveraging cloud-native and open-source technologies (e.g., Azure Data Lake, Azure SQL, Data Factory, Python frameworks) to support predictive modeling, real-time analytics, and operational dashboards. Initiates, plans, and executes major developmental projects, often representing an important segment of the agency's operating programs. Coordinates cross-functional teams, manages resources, and ensures timely delivery of high-impact data products. Develops and enforces schema, validation, and quality controls across diverse data sources. Implements robust ETL/ELT workflows, API integrations, and microservices for seamless data exchange and analytics. Architects secure, efficient, and reproducible data workflows in modern cloud environments, ensuring compliance with federal data governance and AI risk management frameworks. Designs and implements high-quality data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, validation, quality enforcement, and preprocessing of diverse datasets. Ensures data provenance, lineage, interoperability, schema consistency, and compliance with data governance requirements. Provides technical mentorship to junior engineers and data scientists. Facilitates knowledge sharing through working groups, communities of practice, and agency-wide forums. Establishes rapport with internal and external stakeholders to understand organizational goals and requirements, influencing adoption of findings and recommendations. Performs additional responsibilities as assigned, contributing to the agency's strategic objectives.RequirementsMust be a U.S. Citizen. This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Please see http://www.sss.gov for more information. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment. False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The system confirms employee's identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the CPSC; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the CPSC or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.