Data Engineer (W2 Full Time only)

Job Title: Data Engineer
Location: United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO

Job Description:
We are seeking a skilled Data Engineer to support the AI Center at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, CO. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing data architecture and infrastructure support, including implementing and maintaining storage solutions, administering VPNs, and ensuring cybersecurity best practices. This is a unique opportunity to work in an innovative, research-driven environment while directly contributing to the success of cutting-edge AI projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement and maintain a Storage Area Network (SAN) for customer research data.
• Provide on-site storage solutions accessible by GPU servers.
• Manage user and admin accounts, including creation, deletion, auditing, and setting security permissions.
• Maintain VPN connectivity for the GPU cluster, managing accounts and ensuring security.
• Suggest improvements for SAN storage requirements to the technical point of contact.
• Set, audit, and monitor user data permissions.
• Assist in data migration from customer storage to the AI Center SAN.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive data management and backup strategy.
• Implement encryption and cybersecurity best practices to safeguard data.
• Virtualization & Containerization: Implement and manage virtualization or containerization solutions (e.g., Kubernetes) and build these systems from scratch with minimal guidance to support research and data operations.

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with enterprise data storage solutions.
• Proven experience with building, implementing, and securing Linux-based SANs.
• Experience with developing and implementing enterprise-scale data backups.
• Ability to provision data to users and groups, allowing data access across processing servers.
• Familiarity with data encryption and cybersecurity best practices.
• Experience administering and securing VPNs.
• Virtualization & Containerization Expertise: Experience implementing virtualization or containerization (e.g., Kubernetes) and capable of building these systems from scratch with minimal guidance.

Education & Certifications:

• Minimum of Security or closely related certification required.
• Educational background emphasizing cybersecurity, Linux, and enterprise data management is highly desired.

About Us:
Ardent is a small business providing a full range of IT support services, Cyber Security services, staff augmentation, financial management, and administrative support. Headquartered in Dayton, OH near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Ardent has served federal, state/local government, commercial, and higher education markets across the US since 2000. Our staff are dedicated to combining keen strategy, innovative technologies, and superior service to find the right solution for your unique business needs.

Equal Opportunities Employer
Ardent Technologies, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer that relies on the strength of a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.