Data Engineer – Information Systems

Office of the Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias

Division:

Administrative

Location:

115 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL – Cook County

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Job Overview

The Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the architecture that enables efficient collection, storage, and analysis of large volumes of data.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and construct robust, scalable data pipelines (e.g., ETL, Real-Time Analytics, etc.) for data collection, integration, processing, and organization.
• Implement and manage databases and data storage solutions optimized for performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Architect data systems supportive of data collection, storage, processing, and analysis in alignment with organizational requirements.
• Develop and enforce data management policies for quality control, governance, and data security.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize data workflows to improve efficiency and reduce latency.
• Collaborate with data analysts, scientists, and business teams to align on data needs and deliver data-driven solutions.
• Implement security measures to protect data and ensure compliance with data protection regulations and standards (e.g., NIST 800-53).
• Document data systems and processes while sharing technical knowledge with team members.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Specific Skills

• Proficiency in Python, Java, Scala, or SQL for data manipulation and pipeline development.
• Experience with big data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, and Hive.
• Knowledge of traditional relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Cassandra).
• Familiarity with orchestration tools like Apache Airflow, Luigi, or AWS Data Pipeline.
• Understanding of cloud services by AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure.
• Skills in data modeling and designing ETL processes.
• Effective communication for collaborating and explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze requirements and design complex data systems.
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Data Analytics, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, etc.
• Continuous learning mindset to integrate the latest technologies into data ecosystems.

Requirements

• Willingness to travel and possession of a valid Illinois driver’s license is mandatory.
• Education equivalent to four years of college with courses in computer science, MIS, mathematics, or statistics.
• Minimum of three years' experience as a Data Engineer.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the online application at . Attach a resume or other necessary documents. Preference will be given to Illinois residents in the hiring process per the Illinois Secretary of State Merit Employment Code.

For queries regarding this job posting or employment practices, contact Job Counselors at our Personnel offices in Chicago (312-793-5515) or Springfield (217-782-4783).

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Consideration is given without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or disability.