What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Data Engineer position at Montana State University?
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number
STAFF - VA - 26465
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold
Classification Title
Research Scientist and/or Research Engineers
Working Title
Research Data Engineer
Brief Position Overview
Join a fast-moving, high-impact research environment where data scientists work with real-world datasets, cutting-edge infrastructure, and engineering teams to push the boundaries of data science, analytics, and cyber intelligence.
If you thrive on solving hard problems, publishing meaningful work, and creating technologies that matter beyond the lab, this is an opportunity to lead innovation rather than simply follow it.
Position Number
4C0184
Department
Gianforte School of Computing
Division
College of Engineering
Appointment Type
Professional
Contract Term
Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA
Exempt
Union Affiliation
Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE
1.0
Benefits Eligible
Eligible
Salary
$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type
LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type
Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Software Engineering and Cybersecurity Lab (SECL), is a dynamic environment where you will tackle mission-critical problems at the intersection of data science, cybersecurity, and empirical software engineering-building state-of-the-art solutions that directly influence national security.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and optimize big data pipelines for storage, processing, and analysis of large-scale, high-frequency datasets.
Design and implement data models, including relational databases, for efficient data storage, retrieval, and integration.
Conduct time series analysis, including interpolation and aggregation of heterogeneous data streams.
Apply software engineering principles, including object-oriented programming, networking concepts, and best practices in software design.
Utilize Linux command-line tools to manage data workflows and processing tasks.
Implement source code management and build tools, such as GitHub and MAVEN, to maintain and deploy software solutions.
Communicate technical results and insights effectively to multidisciplinary teams, including both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
The Successful Candidate Will
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This individual must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret DOD Security Clearance.
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR 120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
This position is contingent upon continued grant funding
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on July 14th 2026 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR 120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Position Information
Announcement Number
STAFF - VA - 26465
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold
Classification Title
Research Scientist and/or Research Engineers
Working Title
Research Data Engineer
Brief Position Overview
Join a fast-moving, high-impact research environment where data scientists work with real-world datasets, cutting-edge infrastructure, and engineering teams to push the boundaries of data science, analytics, and cyber intelligence.
If you thrive on solving hard problems, publishing meaningful work, and creating technologies that matter beyond the lab, this is an opportunity to lead innovation rather than simply follow it.
Position Number
4C0184
Department
Gianforte School of Computing
Division
College of Engineering
Appointment Type
Professional
Contract Term
Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA
Exempt
Union Affiliation
Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE
1.0
Benefits Eligible
Eligible
Salary
$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type
LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type
Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Software Engineering and Cybersecurity Lab (SECL), is a dynamic environment where you will tackle mission-critical problems at the intersection of data science, cybersecurity, and empirical software engineering-building state-of-the-art solutions that directly influence national security.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and optimize big data pipelines for storage, processing, and analysis of large-scale, high-frequency datasets.
Design and implement data models, including relational databases, for efficient data storage, retrieval, and integration.
Conduct time series analysis, including interpolation and aggregation of heterogeneous data streams.
Apply software engineering principles, including object-oriented programming, networking concepts, and best practices in software design.
Utilize Linux command-line tools to manage data workflows and processing tasks.
Implement source code management and build tools, such as GitHub and MAVEN, to maintain and deploy software solutions.
Communicate technical results and insights effectively to multidisciplinary teams, including both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master's Degree in a STEM related field.
- Demonstrable ability to write code, analyze data, and create graphical reports in air gapped systems without any use of AI.
- audiences - from the lay person to specialized audiences.
- Proven track record of working successfully with minimal oversight for long periods of time without internet access.
- Proven track record of delivering high-quality work, on-time.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- PhD in a STEM related field, strong statistics, analytical problem solving skills and software development.
- Demonstrable mastery of data-product pipelines for integrating complex data streams.
- Demonstrable mastery of the R programming language and applications for statistics, simulation, and data science workflows.
- Demonstrable mastery of version control for complex workflows using Git.
- 5-10 years of experience creating, maintaining, and updating complex relational databases. Mastery of SQL.
- 5-10 years experiences preparing graphical, written, and oral presentations suitable for diverse
The Successful Candidate Will
- Executive presence and the ability to confidently communicate with senior leaders, government officials, and external stakeholders
- Strong teamwork mindset with a "mission-first" attitude and willingness to support others
- Humility and low ego in highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environments
- Transparency, integrity, and accountability in research, communication, and decision-making
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
- Adaptability and comfort operating in fast-paced, high-impact research settings
- Professionalism and discretion when working on sensitive or restricted projects
- Intellectual curiosity and a continuous-learning mindset
- Self-motivation and initiative with minimal supervision
- Reliability and follow-through on commitments and deadlines
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This individual must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret DOD Security Clearance.
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR 120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
This position is contingent upon continued grant funding
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on July 14th 2026 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR 120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Salary : $90,000