Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Kiewit Data Services

Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Kiewit Data Services

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Machine Learning Data Infrastructure Engineer to join our team. This role is critical to building and maintaining scalable data pipelines and infrastructure that support machine learning workflows and robotic perception systems. You will work cross-functionally with software engineers, data scientists, and product teams to ensure robust, efficient, and cost-effective data operations.

Kiewit Data Services' mission is to make Kiewit the premier data-driven organization in our industry. To accomplish this, our projects and districts need to have the right data, of the right quality, with the right level of analysis, available to them at the right time. KDS is a cross functional organization with employees that have expertise in data, technology, support and operations backgrounds. Our core functions are data quality, governance, enablement, analytics and data science.

This position is based in McLean VA or Arlington VA area. Remote work may be considered for candidates who reside and live within a reasonable distance from these locations, and depending on qualifications. No relocation is offered for this role.

Responsibilities:

• Data Pipeline Development: Maintain and enhance scalable Python-based data pipelines to process, synchronize, and structure robotic perception data for ML workflows.
• Database & Cloud Storage Management: Manage PostgreSQL AWS RDS instances and AWS S3 buckets to track and store raw and processed multimodal data.
• Tooling & Automation: Build custom Python tools for data extraction and transformation to support internal and downstream ML users. Automate pipeline execution via scheduled batch jobs, transitioning from manual processes to nightly workflows.
• Web Application Development: Contribute to a full-stack internal web application (FastAPI backend, React/Next.js TypeScript frontend) for data visualization, search, and cloud job triggering.
• Infrastructure-as-Code & DevOps: Manage AWS infrastructure (EKS, ECR, S3, RDS) using Terraform, integrated with GitLab CI/CD for reproducible deployments.
• Design workflows and tools to interface with external data annotation vendors, including REST API uploads and quality checks.
• Testing & Reliability: Implement unit testing frameworks using Python to ensure reliability and maintainability of internal tools.
• Agile Collaboration: Actively participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and sprint reviews.

Qualifications:

• BS in Computer Science or equivalent.
• Proven track record of three years in systems and software development, supporting innovation in North American technology and engineering sectors.
• Demonstrated experience performing as a technical lead with experience managing software teams and the ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed organization with executive exposure.
• Experience in working on complex projects and/or projects relating to robotics, data and machine learning with multiple disciplines.
• Strong proficiency in Python and experience with data pipeline development.
• Must be proficient with Machine Learning, ML workflows and tools.
• Experience collaborating with senior managers to understand drivers of success and departmental goals.
• Strong customer management skills; ability to manage more than one client.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills (oral and written)
• Proven ability to self-direct work efforts and lead others
• Highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative
• Team player with the ability to work independently to meet deadlines, goals and objectives
• Strong organization, time management, and attention to detail

Other Requirements:

• Regular, reliable attendance
• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• May work at various different locations and conditions may vary

Base Compensation: $145,000/yr - $160,000/yr (Actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as education, experience, skillset, and/or location)

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that's among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.