Sr DataStage Engineer – Mclean, VA – Only Locals

Sr DataStage Engineer

Location: McLean, VA (Onsite) |  | Type: Contract

The Role

As a Sr DataStage Developer, you will play a key role in modernizing enterprise data platforms by designing, developing, and optimizing IBM DataStage ETL solutions. You'll work alongside cloud engineers, architects, and governance teams to transform legacy ETL processes into modern cloud-based data platforms including Snowflake and AWS, while leveraging AI-assisted tools to accelerate large-scale modernization initiatives.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain enterprise-scale IBM DataStage ETL workflows that deliver reliable, high-quality data.
• Analyze DataStage job metadata and XML transition logic to modernize legacy ETL into Snowflake, AWS, or metadata platforms such as Collibra.
• Optimize ETL performance through advanced SQL, parallel processing, and automation using UNIX/Linux shell scripting.
• Partner with architects, cloud engineers, and governance teams to deliver scalable, secure, and auditable data migration solutions.
• Produce technical documentation, participate in code reviews, testing, and deployment activities while promoting ETL best practices.

What We're Looking For

• 6+ years of hands-on experience with IBM DataStage development.
• Proven experience building end-to-end ETL workflows, including extraction, transformation, and load processes.
• Strong expertise in SQL, including complex joins, subqueries, window functions, and performance tuning.
• Solid knowledge of UNIX/Linux fundamentals, including file systems, permissions, and process management.

• Hands-on experience with shell scripting (bash/ksh) for job automation and operational support.
• Experience working with DataStage job metadata and XML transition logic.
• Ability to analyze and translate legacy ETL logic into modern data platforms such as Snowflake, AWS-native services, or data governance tools like Collibra.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development or automation tools used to understand, parse, or accelerate ETL modernization efforts.
• Strong understanding of data warehousing concepts, ETL best practices, and data quality frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Bonus Points For

• Experience with Collibra or other enterprise metadata and data governance platforms.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools that support code analysis, metadata interpretation, or ETL modernization.
• Experience supporting enterprise cloud migration or large-scale modernization programs.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices for data engineering.
• Experience working within financial services or other highly regulated industries.