Senior Data Engineer

Opportunity ILIAS Solutions , part of the Patria Group, builds data platforms and software for defense organizations. Our Defense Capability Management team delivers data-driven solutions that support military readiness, logistics, and operational decision-making . Our engineering teams are based in Europe, with growing operations in the United States. We are looking for a Senior Data Engineer to join our Data Engineering squad as its first US-based member. You will work day-to-day as part of a European team while serving as the on-the-ground data engineering capability for US-based defense projects. This role has two core dimensions: 1. You operate as a full member of the data engineering squad, building and maintaining pipelines, transforming defense data, and contributing to our shared platform. 2. When US projects require on-site data engineering work at locations restricted to US citizens, you travel there and execute independently. Your mission Design, build, and maintain data pipelines that ingest, transform, and serve defense data across multiple source systems Work with structured and unstructured data from customer environments, often with non-standard formats and access constraints Integrate data from PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and various proprietary or legacy systems encountered at client sites Develop data processing workflows using Python and Apache Spark Operate autonomously at US client locations, managing stakeholder communication, technical problem solving, and delivery without direct on-site supervision Collaborate asynchronously with the Europe-based squad, maintaining clear documentation and proactive communication across time zones Contribute to platform architecture decisions and data modelling standards Your capabilities What We Are Looking For US citizenship is required for site access at defense client locations 5+ years of experience in data engineering Strong proficiency in Python and SQL Experience with Apache Spark or equivalent distributed data processing frameworks Working knowledge of PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server Proven experience with production-grade pipeline orchestration, environment management, and observability Ability to connect to and extract data from unfamiliar or undocumented systems Experience working with sensitive or classified data environments is a strong advantage Proven ability to work independently with minimal oversight while keeping a remote team fully informed Clear, direct written and verbal communication skills suited to asynchronous collaboration across time zones Willingness to travel within the United States as project needs dictate Willingness to travel to Europe several times per year to collaborate with the team in person, and to other international locations if projects require it Comfort operating in ambiguous environments where you define the approach, not just execute a plan Nice to Have Experience in defense, government, or similarly regulated industries Familiarity with data platforms in aviation maintenance, logistics, or military ERP systems Experience working in or with European teams Land @ILIAS What We Offer A role with real autonomy and direct impact on defense capability programs Membership in a tight, skilled engineering squad that has built data platforms for NATO-country defense organizations A remote-first setup with travel funded by the company Competitive compensation Exited and ready to explore how you could fit in? Apply directly or reach out to tim.van.dam@Ilias-solutions.com for any questions. we are thrilled to get to know you!