As a Data Engineer at Lmi, your day-to-day responsibilities will revolve around building and maintaining the pipelines that power client analytics. You will collaborate closely with data analysts, data scientists, and project managers to understand what data is needed and how it should be structured.

A significant portion of your time will be spent designing, developing, and troubleshooting ETL jobs. You will write SQL transformations, set up automated schedules, and monitor pipeline runs to ensure data is delivered accurately and on time. For roles like the Data Engineer & Governance Specialist, you will also spend time defining metadata standards, documenting data sources, and ensuring compliance with federal security regulations.

You will also be responsible for:

• Integrating legacy data sources with modern cloud or hybrid data environments.
• Creating and maintaining technical documentation, including data dictionaries and lineage maps.
• Collaborating with client stakeholders to gather requirements and provide technical guidance on data management best practices.

To be competitive for a Data Engineer position at Lmi, you must demonstrate a strong foundation in database management and data manipulation. The requirements vary slightly depending on the specific project and clearance level, but the core expectations remain consistent.

• Must-have skills

  • Strong proficiency in SQL and relational database management systems (RDBMS).
  • Proven experience designing and maintaining ETL/ELT pipelines using industry-standard tools.
  • Solid understanding of data warehousing concepts (e.g., dimensional modeling, star schemas).
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interface with clients.
  • Ability to obtain or maintain a federal security clearance (e.g., Secret or TS/SCI) for cleared positions.

• Nice-to-have skills

  • Experience with programming languages such as Python or Scala for data manipulation.
  • Familiarity with cloud data platforms like AWS (Glue, Redshift) or Microsoft Azure.
  • Experience working with specialized healthcare data standards (e.g., FHIR, HL7) for health-focused roles.
  • Certifications in data governance or specific cloud technologies.

Q: How difficult is the Data Engineer interview at Lmi? The technical difficulty is generally rated as easy to moderate. Unlike commercial tech firms that test heavily on complex algorithms and system design, Lmi focuses on your practical experience with SQL, ETL tools, and your understanding of data management concepts.

Q: Is there a live coding portion during the interview? According to real candidate experiences, there is typically no live coding or whiteboarding required. The technical evaluation is conversational, focusing on how you would approach specific data scenarios and your familiarity with data engineering concepts.

Q: What is the typical timeline for the hiring process? The process is relatively swift. Candidates typically receive initial recruiter contact two to three weeks after applying, followed by a 30-minute panel interview. A decision is usually communicated within one to two weeks after the panel.

Q: Are these roles remote or hybrid? Lmi offers a mix of remote, hybrid, and onsite roles depending on the client and the level of security clearance required. For instance, roles based at Fort Belvoir, VA may require more onsite presence, while other positions offer full remote flexibility.

• Align your expectations early: Make sure you clearly communicate that you understand the role is focused on ETL, pipeline maintenance, and data governance. Emphasize your passion for data quality and integration rather than custom software development.
• Highlight your clearance and public sector experience: If you have an active security clearance or prior experience working with government agencies, highlight this early in the process. It is a major competitive advantage.
• Prepare structured project examples: Since the panel interview is only 30 minutes, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe your past projects concisely. Focus on the business impact of your data pipelines.
• Demonstrate a consulting mindset: Show that you are comfortable working with clients, handling ambiguous requirements, and operating within highly regulated environments where security and compliance are paramount.

A Data Engineer career at Lmi offers a unique opportunity to apply your technical skills to missions of national importance. By focusing on data integration, ETL reliability, and robust data governance, you can help critical public sector agencies make data-driven decisions that impact millions of lives.

To succeed in this interview process, focus on mastering the fundamentals of data pipeline design, preparing structured examples of your past work, and demonstrating a clear alignment with the consulting nature of the role. Approach the panel interview with a collaborative, communicative, and professional attitude.

For more detailed interview insights, salary data, and preparation resources, you can explore additional candidate experiences on Dataford. Good luck with your preparation—you have all the tools you need to succeed.

This compensation data reflects the salary ranges for various Data Engineer positions at Lmi, spanning different experience levels, security clearance requirements, and locations like Tysons Corner, VA and Fort Belvoir, VA. Use these ranges to align your salary expectations with the specific seniority and clearance demands of the role you are targeting.