Technical Lead - Search Engine & Analytics Support

We are seeking a Technical Lead to oversee the support, maintenance, and modernization of the Enterprise Search and Analytics capabilities for a leading federal financial regulator within its AWS Cloud (ACES environment). This role will provide technical direction, solution architecture, and Agile leadership to enhance data discovery, search, and analytics capabilities for structured and unstructured data. The selected candidate will play a key role in assessing alternatives to IBM Watson Explorer, designing an AI/ML-driven search solution, and ensuring the ongoing operational efficiency and security of the agency's search infrastructure.

Why Join Us?

• Lead a high-impact search engine modernization initiative for a leading federal financial regulator.
• Work with cutting-edge AI/ML technologies to transform search and analytics.
• Collaborate with top data engineers, cloud architects, and agency stakeholders in a mission-critical federal environment.

Responsibilities

1. Search Engine Support & Maintenance

• Oversee operational support, troubleshooting, and enhancements for Watson Explorer in the EDW environment.
• Ensure compliance with  Zero Trust security requirements and support Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms).
• Identify automation opportunities to improve efficiency and reliability of the search engine infrastructure.

2. Future Search Engine Strategy & Modernization

• Lead the assessment and evaluation of alternative search and analytics tools to replace Watson Explorer.
• Develop and present recommendations for a new search platform, including AI/ML capabilities for enhanced data discovery and insights.
• Collaborate with agency stakeholders, Product Owners, and Data Scientists to define the future-state search engine architecture.

3. Data Analytics & Visualization Enhancements

• Partner with division stakeholders to enhance analytics for key risk-based examination tools.
• Optimize search capabilities for structured and unstructured data and improve data visualization and reporting.
• Work closely with data scientists and AI/ML engineers to integrate predictive analytics and NLP-driven search enhancements.

4. Agile Software Development & Product Management

• Lead Agile development efforts, including backlog prioritization, sprint planning, and product roadmaps.
• Ensure that all development work meets agency IT security, accessibility (Section 508), and compliance requirements.
• Implement continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) best practices for cloud-based search and analytics applications.

5. Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as the technical point of contact for the agency IT function  and Product Owners.
• Provide technical mentorship to developers, engineers, and analysts working on search and analytics projects.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including data engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and agency stakeholders.

Requirements

1.Technical Expertise

• 7+ years of experience in enterprise search engines, data analytics, and cloud-based search technologies.
• Strong background in AWS Cloud services including Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, S3, Lambda, API Gateway, and CloudFormation.
• Expertise in search and indexing technologies, including experience with Elasticsearch, Solr, Lucene, or similar.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, or similar programming languages for search and analytics development.
• Experience working with structured and unstructured data, ETL pipelines, and data lakes in cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML-based search techniques, including Natural Language Processing (NLP), vector search, and semantic search models.

2. Agile & Product Development

• Proven experience leading Agile development teams, including Scrum/Kanban methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of user story development, backlog grooming, and product roadmaps.
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing for cloud-based applications

3. Security & Compliance

• Knowledge of federal cybersecurity standards, including NIST 800-53, Zero Trust Architecture, and FISMA compliance.
• Experience with FedRAMP-approved cloud solutions and securing enterprise search platforms.
• Familiarity with Section 508 accessibility requirements for federal IT solutions.