Aviation Data Engineer

About Cignus

Cignus is an aviation technology firm delivering data-driven solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and operational performance across airports and aviation ecosystems. We work at the intersection of aviation operations, cloud platforms, analytics, and advanced decision-support systems – helping our clients move from fragmented data to actionable intelligence.

Role Overview

Cignus is seeking a Senior Aviation Data Engineer to design, build, and operate scalable cloud-based data platforms supporting aviation analytics, business intelligence, and advanced modeling. Based in Leesburg, VA, this role will work closely with data engineers, analysts, and domain experts to deliver high-reliability solutions using Microsoft Azure and modern data engineering practices. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with the ability to translate complex aviation and operational data into resilient, high-value analytical systems.

This is an on-site position in Leesburg, VA with a potential for hybrid work authorization based in the Northern Virginia Area.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Data Engineering team to design and implement Azure-based solutions for complex data engineering challenges
• Design, build, and maintain reliable data pipelines connecting diverse aviation and enterprise data sources
• Develop interactive reports and dashboards using Power BI or Python-based visualization tools to surface key operational insights
• Implement monitoring solutions and operational processes to ensure high system availability and performance
• Contribute to data model design, data analysis, and end-to-end implementation of analytics solutions
• Apply algorithmic optimization techniques to improve analytical efficiency and performance
• Apply advanced analytics to large, complex aviation datasets as required
• Deploy and manage cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code principles
• Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines within Azure DevOps
• Support the successful and scalable delivery of business intelligence solutions
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and apply industry standards and best practices across platforms and workflows
• Ensure security, scalability, and maintainability are embedded in all solutions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field (Master’s degree preferred)
• 3+ years of experience in data engineering, software development, or a related technical role
• Proven experience designing, implementing, and supporting data engineering solutions on Microsoft Azure
• Strong understanding of database infrastructure, including data storage, ingestion, aggregation, and modeling approaches
• Experience manipulating and transforming large-scale datasets for analytical use
• Hands-on experience with Azure data engineering technologies, including:
  • Azure Data Factory
  • Azure Data Lake
  • Azure DevOps
• Expert-level Python development skills
• Expertise designing and deploying cloud solutions using Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• Experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure tooling
• Solid understanding of security considerations in cloud-based solution development and deployment
• Experience developing reports and dashboards using Power BI and/or Python-based visualization tools (e.g., Plotly)
• Strong SQL skills and experience working with relational databases
• Experience working within DevOps environments
• Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Desirable Experience

• Experience with aviation data sources, airport operations, and workflows/processes
• Experience developing and maintaining Python packages
• Experience productionizing machine learning models and analytical algorithms
• Familiarity with distributed data processing concepts