Systems Engineer/ Power BI UI Developer - (w/ active Secret)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Systems Engineer / Power BI UI Developer

Company: Critical Solutions

Location: Washington, DC (Preferred locations include Northern VA, Honolulu, HI, Norfolk, VA, San Diego, CA)

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Revenue Operations / GTM Operations (Data Analysis & Visualization Focus)

Date Posted: 2026-04-09

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-7+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for developing and maintaining an Enterprise Common Operational Picture (COP) through advanced Power BI dashboard design and implementation.

• It involves transforming complex operational data from various enterprise systems into intuitive, executive-level visualizations that support strategic decision-making and real-time situational awareness.

• The position requires a strong blend of systems engineering principles, data visualization expertise, and a deep understanding of Power BI functionalities, including DAX and data modeling.

• Candidates will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including enterprise architects and data engineers, to ensure data integrity and deliver actionable insights to CIO leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title includes "Systems Engineer," the core responsibilities and required skills heavily emphasize Power BI development and data visualization for executive reporting. This role sits at the intersection of technical systems understanding and GTM/Operations data enablement, focusing on translating complex data into actionable business intelligence for leadership. The "Systems Engineer" aspect likely refers to the integration of various data sources and ensuring the robustness of the reporting system, rather than traditional infrastructure or network engineering.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Executive Dashboard Development: Design, develop, and deploy executive-level Power BI dashboards and reports to create a unified Enterprise Common Operational Picture (COP) that summarizes enterprise health, operational performance, and mission readiness.

• Data Visualization & UI/UX Design: Create highly intuitive, visually appealing, and executive-friendly visualizations, including KPI scorecards, operational status indicators, trend analysis, risk heatmaps, and portfolio performance dashboards, optimized for rapid interpretation and minimal cognitive load.

• Enterprise Data Integration: Integrate data from multiple disparate enterprise systems and platforms (operational, financial, performance) into Power BI, collaborating with data engineers to ensure reliable, consistent, and authoritative data sources via APIs, databases, and enterprise data platforms.

• Interactive Reporting Features: Implement advanced Power BI features such as drill-through navigation, dynamic filtering, slicers, tooltips, bookmarks, and hierarchical drill-down reporting to enable users to transition seamlessly from high-level enterprise views to detailed operational insights.

• Data Modeling & Performance Optimization: Develop and maintain efficient data models using Power BI and DAX, optimizing dashboards for performance, scalability, and enterprise-level workloads to support large datasets and high concurrency.

• Governance & Security Implementation: Ensure all developed dashboards comply with enterprise data governance and security policies, implementing role-based access controls within Power BI Service and maintaining consistent KPI definitions and standardized reporting practices.

• Collaboration & Requirements Analysis: Actively collaborate with CIO leadership, enterprise architects, data engineers, and program stakeholders to elicit, define, and translate operational and business needs into effective data visualizations and reporting solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a focus on delivering actionable business intelligence for executive decision-making, aligning this role with the strategic enablement functions of Revenue Operations or GTM Operations. The emphasis on "Common Operational Picture" and "enterprise performance" suggests a need to understand key business drivers and operational metrics relevant to a federal program.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 3–7+ years of progressive experience in developing and deploying dashboards and reports specifically using Microsoft Power BI.

• Demonstrated experience in UI/UX design principles applied to data visualization and dashboard development.

• Proven experience working with SQL databases and various enterprise data sources for data extraction and integration.

• Experience supporting enterprise or government CIO dashboards or Common Operational Picture (COP) systems is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Power BI Expertise: Deep proficiency with Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service, including report and dashboard creation, data connectivity, and publishing.

• DAX & Power Query: Strong command of DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) for complex calculations and Power Query (M language) for data transformation and shaping.

• Data Modeling: Solid understanding of data modeling concepts, including star schema, snowflake schema, and establishing relationships between tables for optimal report performance.

• Data Visualization Principles: Ability to translate complex data into clear, concise, and actionable visual insights tailored for executive audiences.

• SQL Proficiency: Experience querying and manipulating data using SQL against relational databases.

• Systems Integration: Understanding of integrating data from multiple systems and platforms.

• Active Secret Clearance: Must possess and maintain an active DoD Secret security clearance.

• Information Assurance: Must meet Information Assurance Technician (IAT) Level II requirements.

Preferred Skills:

• Python or Other Coding Languages: Experience with Python or similar scripting/programming languages can be beneficial for data manipulation or automation tasks.

• Azure Data Services: Familiarity with Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse, Azure Data Lake, or Azure Dataverse for data pipeline and storage solutions.

• Enterprise IT Data: Knowledge of enterprise IT operations data, cybersecurity metrics, or operational performance monitoring metrics.

• Data Governance: Understanding of enterprise reporting governance and data standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an active Secret clearance and IAT Level II certification is a significant qualification that will narrow the candidate pool and indicates the sensitive nature of the data and systems involved. The preference for specific enterprise system integration experience suggests the client is looking for candidates who can hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up time on their specific technology stack.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Power BI Projects: A portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 distinct Power BI projects that highlight your ability to design and develop executive-level dashboards and operational reports.

• Data Visualization Case Studies: Include case studies that detail the problem statement, data sources used, design choices made, and the impact of your visualizations on decision-making or operational efficiency.

• Complex Data Integration Examples: Showcase examples where you integrated data from multiple, potentially disparate, sources to create a unified view within a dashboard.

• DAX & Data Modeling Examples: Provide specific examples or explanations of complex DAX measures, calculated columns, and data models you've built to support reporting requirements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for gathering requirements, designing dashboard layouts, developing data models, and optimizing report performance.

• Data Transformation & Loading: Be ready to explain your approach to using Power Query (M) for data cleaning, transformation, and preparing data for analysis and visualization.

• Performance Analysis & Improvement: Demonstrate experience in identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in Power BI reports and data models, ensuring scalability and efficiency.

• Security & Governance Implementation: Discuss how you ensure data security, implement row-level security (RLS) or other access controls, and adhere to data governance standards in your Power BI development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a robust portfolio is paramount. Candidates should focus on projects that specifically demonstrate executive-level reporting, data integration from complex systems, and the application of advanced DAX and data modeling techniques. Quantifiable results or examples of how their dashboards improved situational awareness or decision-making will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% premium coverage for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• Life & Supplemental Insurance: Coverage for Life Insurance and various Supplemental Insurance options.

• Retirement Planning: 401K matching program to support long-term financial goals.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible Time Off (PTO) policy and paid Holidays.

• Professional Development: Higher Education and Training Reimbursement to support continuous learning and skill advancement.

Working Hours:

• Full-time position, typically requiring a standard 40-hour work week. The schedule is described as "Hybrid," implying a mix of on-site and remote work, with specific days in the office determined by project needs and base access requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation considers the specialized skills (Power BI, DAX), the security clearance requirement (which significantly impacts compensation), the mid-level experience, and the high cost of living in the preferred DC metropolitan area. The benefits package is quite generous, particularly the 100% premium coverage for health insurance, which is a strong differentiator.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Information Technology and Services, Government Contracting. Critical Solutions operates within the federal sector, providing IT solutions and services to government agencies.

Company Size: The LinkedIn data indicates Critical Solutions has between 201-500 employees, positioning it as a medium-sized company. This size often allows for a balance between established processes and a more agile, less bureaucratic environment.

Founded: Founded in 2004, Critical Solutions has a significant history of providing IT support and solutions, suggesting stability and experience in the federal contracting space.

Team Structure:

• This role is likely part of a larger IT support or data analytics team within Critical Solutions, potentially reporting into an IT Operations or Program Management office.

• The team structure would involve close collaboration with enterprise architects, data engineers, and potentially other systems engineers or analysts responsible for the overall program's IT infrastructure and reporting capabilities.

Methodology:

• The company's focus on federal programs suggests a strong emphasis on structured methodologies, adherence to compliance standards (like IAT Level II), and robust processes for system development, integration, and security.

• Data analysis and visualization methods will be driven by the need to present clear, accurate, and timely information for executive decision-making, likely involving Agile principles for dashboard development iterations.

• Automation and efficiency practices will be crucial for managing data integration and report generation across numerous enterprise systems.

Company Website: https://criticalsolutionsit.applicantpro.com (Note: This links to their applicant portal, the primary company website is likely critical2u.com based on domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within the government contracting space means adherence to strict security protocols and reporting standards is paramount. The company size suggests a potentially close-knit team where individual contributions are highly visible and impactful.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Systems Engineer/Power BI UI Developer. It requires a solid foundation in Power BI tools and development, alongside an understanding of systems integration and data management. It's a crucial role for enabling data-driven insights at the executive level.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a Team Lead or Manager overseeing data analytics, IT operations, or a specific program's technical solutions. The reporting line will involve communication with senior stakeholders, including CIO leadership, for requirement gathering and feedback.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing executive decision-making by providing clear, synthesized operational data. The Common Operational Picture (COP) is vital for understanding mission readiness, IT health, and strategic program performance, making this role central to the program's success and efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in Power BI, DAX, and data modeling, potentially leading to Senior or Lead Power BI Developer roles.

• Broader Systems Integration: Expand into more complex systems engineering or data architecture roles, leveraging experience with diverse data sources and integration methods.

• Leadership: Progress into team lead or management positions, overseeing junior developers and project delivery for data visualization initiatives.

• Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in federal IT operations, cybersecurity metrics, or specific program domains, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cloud & Azure Services: Enhance skills in Azure data services, potentially moving into cloud data engineering or analytics roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of technical Power BI skills and the requirement for a Secret clearance offers a strong career path within government contracting. Growth often involves taking on more complex projects, leading initiatives, or specializing in areas like cybersecurity analytics or program performance management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The "Hybrid Schedule" indicates a mix of remote work and on-site presence. This suggests a modern work environment that balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration, especially for roles requiring access to specific facilities or secure environments.

Office Location(s): Preferred locations include Washington, DC; Northern VA; Honolulu, HI; Norfolk, VA; and San Diego, CA. This indicates a distributed team with potential hubs in key government/military areas. Candidates must be able to report to one of these base locations when required.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates strong communication and collaboration tools to ensure seamless teamwork between remote and on-site members. Expect regular virtual meetings and potential in-person strategy sessions.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to robust Power BI environments, potentially secure networks, and standard office productivity software will be provided. The role demands a high degree of self-sufficiency and organization when working remotely.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will occur through scheduled team meetings, project stand-ups, and cross-functional working sessions, both virtually and in person.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule implies flexibility, but core working hours will likely be established to facilitate team collaboration and responsiveness during standard business operations. The 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement to report to specific bases when needed is a key aspect of the hybrid arrangement. Candidates should consider their proximity and accessibility to these locations when applying. The blend of remote work and on-site requirements is common in government contracting to balance flexibility with security and collaboration needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, clearance status, and interest in the role.

• Technical Assessment/Case Study: Candidates may be given a take-home assignment or a live coding/design challenge focused on Power BI, DAX, or data modeling scenarios relevant to the job description. This is a critical step to evaluate practical skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, problem-solving abilities, and fit with the team's objectives.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential team members and key stakeholders (e.g., enterprise architects, data engineers, or client representatives) to assess collaboration skills and understanding of business needs.

• Final Interview & Offer: A final discussion, potentially with senior leadership, followed by a job offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select Power BI projects that best showcase executive dashboard design, data integration from complex sources, and sophisticated DAX/data modeling. Prioritize projects with clear business impact.

• Structure Case Studies: For each portfolio piece, prepare a brief narrative: the challenge, your approach (design, data, development), the solution (dashboard features), and the outcome/impact (quantifiable if possible).

• Highlight UI/UX: Emphasize your design choices and how they cater to an executive audience, focusing on clarity, ease of navigation, and rapid insight delivery.

• Be Ready to Demo: Prepare to walk through one or two key dashboards, explaining your logic, DAX formulas, and data modeling decisions in detail.

• Address Security: If possible, discuss how you approached data security and governance in your previous roles, especially if you have experience with sensitive data.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice DAX Formulas: Review common and advanced DAX functions for calculations, aggregations, and time-intelligence.

• Data Modeling Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss designing star schemas for reporting and the rationale behind relationship types.

• Power BI Best Practices: Refresh your knowledge on performance optimization techniques, report layout best practices, and effective visualization choices.

• Systems Integration Concepts: Think about how you would approach integrating data from different types of systems (e.g., ticketing systems, performance monitoring tools, financial databases).

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical assessment and portfolio review will be heavily weighted. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency with Power BI and their ability to translate complex data into executive-level insights. Understanding the context of a federal program and the importance of security will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Power BI: Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service (essential for report development, publishing, and management).

• DAX (Data Analysis Expressions): For creating calculated measures, columns, and tables within Power BI.

• Power Query (M language): For data transformation, cleaning, and shaping from various sources.

• SQL: For querying and extracting data from relational databases.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Primarily Power BI, but familiarity with other BI tools may be beneficial.

• Reporting Platforms: Experience with enterprise reporting solutions and the Power BI service for report distribution and access control.

• Dashboarding Tools: Expertise in creating interactive and dynamic dashboards.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not explicitly mentioned, understanding how to pull data from CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) might be relevant if they feed into the COP.

• Data Integration Tools: Experience with tools like Azure Data Factory, or other ETL/ELT processes for data movement and transformation.

• System Integration: Familiarity with APIs and database connectors for data ingestion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack revolves around the Microsoft Power BI ecosystem. Proficiency here is non-negotiable. Experience with Azure data services is a strong preference, indicating the company's direction or current infrastructure.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong emphasis on using accurate, timely data to inform strategic choices and operational adjustments.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A commitment to streamlining processes and improving system performance through effective data management and visualization.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering an environment where team members work together effectively across different disciplines and communicate transparently.

• Security & Compliance: Upholding rigorous security standards and adhering to all relevant government regulations and data governance policies.

• Innovation: Encouraging the exploration of new techniques and technologies to enhance data insights and reporting capabilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with enterprise architects, data engineers, and business stakeholders to ensure data accuracy and alignment with strategic goals.

• Process Review: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on dashboard designs, data models, and reporting processes to continuously improve.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share best practices, insights, and solutions, particularly within the Power BI and data analytics community.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the federal contracting environment, expect a culture that values precision, reliability, and adherence to established protocols. However, within the specific team, there's likely a drive towards innovation in data visualization to make complex information accessible and actionable for leadership.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Data Complexity & Volume: Integrating and visualizing data from numerous disparate and potentially legacy enterprise systems can be technically challenging.

• Evolving Requirements: Federal program needs can change, requiring adaptability in dashboard design and data sourcing to meet new reporting demands from CIO leadership.

• Security & Compliance: Navigating and strictly adhering to stringent government security protocols and data governance policies while delivering functional reports.

• Performance Optimization: Ensuring dashboards remain performant and scalable as data volumes increase and user concurrency rises.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Power BI Techniques: Opportunities to master advanced DAX, M, data modeling, and explore newer Power BI features.

• Cloud Data Services Expertise: Deepen knowledge in Azure data services (ADF, Synapse, Data Lake) through project work and training.

• Government IT Environments: Gain extensive experience working within secure federal IT infrastructures and understanding government reporting mandates.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior analysts or lead specific dashboard development initiatives, paving the way for leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core challenges revolve around managing complexity, ensuring security, and delivering high-impact insights within a regulated environment. Growth opportunities are strong for those who excel in these areas and are eager to expand their technical and domain expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex Power BI dashboard you've built for executive leadership. What was the objective, what data did you integrate, and what was the impact?" (Focus on problem-solving, data integration, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach designing a Common Operational Picture (COP) that provides real-time situational awareness for CIO leadership?" (Discuss methodology, visualization choices, and data refresh strategies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Critical Solutions and our work in the federal sector?" (Research the company's mission and client base.)

• "How do you ensure data security and compliance in your Power BI development, especially when working with sensitive government data?" (Highlight awareness of security protocols and clearance requirements.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each portfolio example, clearly articulate the business problem solved and the measurable impact of your dashboard on decision-making or operations.

• Explain Technical Choices: Be prepared to discuss your DAX logic, data modeling decisions, and Power Query transformations. Use diagrams if helpful.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize aspects of your work that align with executive reporting, COP development, and data integration from enterprise systems.

• Demonstrate UI/UX Skills: Highlight how your design choices enhance user experience and facilitate quick comprehension of complex data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to deeply discuss their Power BI expertise, especially regarding DAX, data modeling, and dashboard design for executive audiences. Understanding the context of federal programs and the importance of security will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided applicant portal link: https://criticalsolutionsit.applicantpro.com/jobs/4048875

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with Power BI, DAX, data modeling, SQL, and any relevant federal or government contracting projects. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your Power BI portfolio is up-to-date, showcasing executive-level dashboards, complex data integrations, and detailed case studies. Be ready to present key pieces.

• Review Clearance Requirements: Confirm you possess an active DoD Secret Clearance and meet the IAT Level II requirements. Be prepared to discuss this early in the process.

• Research Critical Solutions: Understand the company's mission, its role in government contracting, and its typical project types to better articulate your interest and fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.