DE-26-320 - Data Engineer I (Entry-Level)

Next Phase Solutions and Services, Inc. • Columbia, MD

1d • $75,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Next Phase Solutions and Services is seeking a Data Engineer I to join our team in support of an established CMS MARx (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug System) program.
This is an immediate, full-time opportunity for an entry-level candidate (0–2 years of experience) who is looking to grow their career in data engineering within a stable federal healthcare environment.
You will work directly alongside a senior data engineer/mentor, gaining hands-on experience with real production systems, data pipelines, and cloud-based data platforms.

Requirements

• 0–2 years of experience in data engineering, database development, or a related field
• Foundational knowledge of: PostgreSQL Amazon Redshift (or similar data warehouse platforms)
• Understanding of: Relational databases and basic data modeling concepts Data warehousing fundamentals Software development lifecycle (SDLC)
• Familiarity with Agile, Lean, or DevOps methodologies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to learn quickly in a mentored, team-based environment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or authorized to work in the United States
• Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance (required for CMS work)
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload based on the needs of the client
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and frequent changes in priorities
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent technical writing skills and proven experience in systems with complex requirements
• Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills with the ability to team with others to meet project objectives
• Understanding of the system development lifecycle as implemented with Agile; SAFe knowledge a plus
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to navigate in an office setting unassisted
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds
• Strong speaking skills, including the ability to articulate thoughts in a clear manner and excellent word enunciation skills, are required
• Employees of Next Phase shall, as an enduring obligation throughout their term of employment, adhere to all information security requirements as documented in company policies and procedures
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field (preferred) OR Equivalent combination of education, training, and hands-on experience in data engineering, databases, or analytics

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to CMS, Medicare, or federal healthcare systems
• Experience with: SQL and query optimization ETL/ELT processes or tools AWS or other cloud platforms
• Internship, academic project, or bootcamp experience in data engineering or analytics

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, development, and maintenance of databases, including relational and data warehouse environments
• Support development and optimization of PostgreSQL and Amazon Redshift solutions
• Contribute to data ingestion, transformation, and storage strategies
• Help define how data is stored, integrated, and consumed across systems and applications
• Participate in data modeling efforts, including relational and multidimensional structures
• Assist with data acquisition, archiving, and recovery strategies
• Work within an Agile/DevOps team to support continuous delivery
• Collaborate with senior engineers to ensure data quality, integrity, and performance

Benefits

• Choose from three medical healthcare plans.
• Dental and Vision Insurance plans.
• Enjoy a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA), and a company-sponsored Wellness Program.
• Next Phase offers life insurance, accidental death, and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance, all of which are paid for by the company.
• Employees receive competitive paid time off, including 11 holidays and maternity leave for recovering mothers.
• Next Phase contributes 5% to a 401K plan without requiring employee contributions.
• Employees can be reimbursed for professional development expenses such as classes, books, technical certification/testing fees, professional dues/subscriptions, and professional licenses required for their position.
• You have two options to ensure the happiness and health of your pets.
• At Next Phase, we believe in sharing our success with the employees who make it happen!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees