Data and AI Systems Engineer (Systems Engineer I)

Data and AI Systems Engineer (Systems Engineer I)

Salary

$88,765.46 - $155,339.60 Annually

Location

FX. CTY. GOVERNMENT CENTER, 12000 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY., FAIRFAX (EJ32), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

26-01634

Department

Information Technology

Opening Date

10/24/2026

Closing Date

10/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S29

Posting Type

Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

This position works within our Innovation Division. In this foundational role, you will become a key contributor and driving force behind the county's unified data and enterprise artificial intelligence ecosystem, bridging the gap between backend data infrastructure and frontend analytics to drive county-wide data-informed decision-making, boost transparency, and enhance operational efficiency. This is an opportunity to participate in high-impact data engineering initiatives, develop future-ready database integrations, and help build next-generation artificial intelligence upgrades that directly support critical county operations, public safety, and public service delivery.

We are looking for an energetic, future-focused innovator who is excited to learn, grow, and help shape the roadmap of our expanding data and enterprise AI portfolio. If you are passionate about collaborating with agency analysts, supporting inter-agency workgroups, and implementing operational policies for responsible, ethical AI usage, this position offers the platform to truly make your mark and launch your career. Join us to support next-generation data solutions and help lead Fairfax County's data and artificial intelligence program into a more resilient, connected, and innovative future.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop rapid innovation prototypes, automation scripts, and automated workflows to solve practical business problems.
• Design and maintain optimized ETL/ELT pipelines within Snowflake using frameworks like Apache Airflow or Azure Data Factory.
• Monitor, tune, and manage central database engines across on-premises SQL Server, Azure cloud platforms, and Snowflake.
• Deploy enterprise business intelligence tools and interactive dashboards using Power BI or Tableau with advanced SQL and DAX.
• Configure and deploy centralized AI systems and machine learning platforms leveraging Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, AI Builder, ChatGPT, and Gemini.
• Enforce data governance, security, and ethical controls to ensure AI systems and data workflows are secure, transparent, and compliant.
• Collaborate with cross-departmental teams, regional partners, and vendors to share technical capabilities, best practices, and system documentation.
• Perform other duties as required to support Innovation Division related efforts.

Notes:

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies

This role operates on a hybrid model requiring at least 40% onsite work at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in computer science or closely related field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficiency in SQL and Python for data manipulation, analysis, and pipeline scripting.
• Hands-on experience with modern cloud data platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, or Azure.
• Deep understanding of relational databases, data modeling, and core ETL/ELT pipeline design.
• Experience with the Microsoft 365 suite, specifically leveraging Copilot, Copilot Studio, or advanced AI agentic and workflow automation tools.
• Experience designing, validating, and optimizing data architectures to ensure alignment with business requirements.
• Competency building intuitive dashboards and operational data visualizations using Power BI or Tableau.
• Interest or experience working within the public sector or handling large-scale, highly structured data environments.
• Proactive problem-solver who takes initiative on complex issues independently, providing sound technical recommendations in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong technical communication skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across data, AI, and multi-disciplinary teams or agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is generally sedentary, performed in a normal office environment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.

Non-Merit Positions

• Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage

• Flexible Spending Program

• Deferred Compensation

• Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Computer science
• Information systems
• Data science
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".

05

How many years of full-time equivalent systems programming experience do you possess in a complex information systems environment?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

06

What level of experience do you have using SQL and Python for data manipulation, analysis, and pipeline scripting?

• Academic or training experience only (coursework, bootcamps).
• Practical experience writing basic scripts and SQL queries to analyze data.
• Professional experience building data manipulation scripts and automated pipelines.
• None of the above

07

Which statement best describes your hands-on experience with modern cloud data platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, or Azure)?

• Academic, theoretical, or lab environment experience only.
• Practical experience navigating, querying, or managing data within a cloud platform.
• Professional experience developing and maintaining production workflows in cloud environments.
• None of the above

08

What level of understanding do you have regarding relational databases, data modeling, and core ETL/ELT pipeline design?

• Foundational knowledge of database concepts and ETL theory from coursework.
• Practical experience designing basic schemas, data models, or simple ETL workflows.
• Advanced experience optimizing complex relational databases and enterprise ETL pipelines.
• None of the above

09

What is your experience level using Microsoft 365, Copilot, Copilot Studio, or advanced AI agentic and workflow automation tools?

• Academic or personal project experience experimenting with AI tools and prompts.
• Practical experience leveraging M365 Copilot or workflow automation (e.g., Power Automate) to streamline tasks.
• Professional experience designing and deploying customized AI agents or complex automated workflows.
• None of the above

10

What is your experience level designing, validating, and optimizing data architectures to meet business requirements?

• Academic understanding of data architecture principles
• Practical experience assisting with the design or validation of data structures to fit a projects needs.
• Direct professional experience architecting and optimizing data systems for business operations.
• None of the above

11

What is your experience level in building intuitive dashboards and operational data visualizations using Power BI or Tableau?

• Basic knowledge or academic experience creating standard charts.
• Practical experience independently building and publishing interactive, user-friendly dashboards.
• Professional experience managing enterprise-level dashboard deployments with complex data sources.
• None of the above

12

Select the statement that best describes your interest or experience working within the public sector or handling large-scale, highly structured data environments.

• Strong interest in working within the public sector, with academic exposure to structured data.
• Practical experience handling large-scale, highly structured datasets (in any industry).
• Direct professional experience managing data environments specifically within a public sector or government agency.
• None of the above

13

Which statement best describes your approach to solving complex technical issues independently in a fast-paced environment?

• I prefer to receive step-by-step guidance when facing complex technical issues.
• I can resolve minor issues independently but rely on senior staff for complex problems.
• I proactively research and troubleshoot complex issues independently, presenting sound recommendations to the team.
• I routinely spearhead troubleshooting efforts for critical, high-impact technical issues under tight deadlines.

14

What level of experience do you have collaborating and communicating technical concepts across data, AI, and multi-disciplinary teams?

• No experience
• Limited experience collaborating outside of immediate peer groups.
• Experience participating in multi-disciplinary academic group projects.
• Practical experience translating technical data or AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders or distinct team units.
• Extensive experience leading cross-functional coordination across diverse technical and non-technical business agencies.

15

This role operates on a hybrid model requiring at least 40% onsite work at the Fairfax County Government Center. Are you willing and able to meet the workspace requirement for this position?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Fairfax County

Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone 703-324-3311

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm