Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Kiewit Data Services

Position Overview

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.

District Overview

Kiewit Data Services’ (KDS) 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. 

Location

This position is based in McLean VA or Alington VA area. Remote work maybe considered for candidates who resides and live within a reasonable distance from 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