Summer Associate Internship (Data Engineer)

Overview

The Summer Associate will join the Data Engineering organization within the Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) business unit at Navy Federal Credit Union. Our team is responsible for designing, building, and governing enterprise-scale data, real-time streaming, and operational platforms that power critical business capabilities across Lending, Payments, Fraud, Marketing, Member Experience, and Core Banking functions.

The team leads strategic initiatives including real-time event-driven architecture, master data management (MDM), data integration and engineering solutions. We work closely with business and technology partners to modernize data ecosystems, improve decision-making, enable operational efficiency, and deliver innovative capabilities that enhance member and employee experiences.

The Summer Associate will have the opportunity to contribute to several strategic initiatives within the Data Engineering organization. While project assignments will depend on business priorities and the associate's skills and interests, potential areas of focus include:

• Real-Time Data & Event Streaming
  • Supporting enterprise event-driven architecture initiatives using real-time data platforms
  • Assisting with onboarding, monitoring, and governance processes for data producers and consumers.
  • Analyzing event flows and identifying opportunities for performance optimization and automation.
• Voice of the Member (VoM) Analytics
  • Helping analyze structured and unstructured member feedback using advanced data processing techniques.
  • Identifying trends, sentiment patterns, and actionable insights to support business decision-making.
• Master Data Management (MDM) & Data Quality
  • Supporting initiatives to improve data quality, consistency, and governance across enterprise systems.
  • Assisting with data profiling, validation, and metadata management activities.

Throughout the program, the Summer Associate will gain hands-on experience working with enterprise-scale data, collaborate with experienced engineers and architects, and present findings and recommendations to both technical and business stakeholders. This experience will provide exposure to real-world challenges in data engineering, analytics, and technology strategy within a large financial services organization.

The Summer Associate Program is a 12-week internship program beginning in May 2027 and ending in August 2027. Students will work on impactful projects and meaningful work during their internship. To qualify for this position, applicants must be currently pursuing a degree from an accredited college or university and have an anticipated graduation date of December 2027 or later.

Responsibilities

• Support Real-Time Data & Event Streaming initiatives by analyzing data flows, monitoring event streams, and assisting with platform onboarding, automation, and operational improvements.
• Contribute to Voice of the Member (VoM) Analytics initiatives by analyzing structured and unstructured member feedback using data engineering tools and reporting platforms.
• Support Master Data Management (MDM) efforts through data profiling, data quality assessments, metadata analysis, and validation activities.
• Assist in identifying and resolving data quality issues to improve the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of enterprise data assets.
• Participate in the design, development, and evaluation of proof-of-concepts (POCs) involving AI in emerging data technologies.
• Conduct research and analysis on industry trends, technology capabilities, and best practices to support innovation initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, data scientists, and business stakeholders on strategic data initiatives.
• Document findings, recommendations, and project outcomes, and present results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support process improvement and automation efforts that enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and governance across enterprise data platforms.
• Gain hands-on experience with enterprise-scale data, analytics, and real-time streaming technologies while contributing to high-impact business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, or a related technical field.
• Strong academic record with an interest in data engineering, analytics, AI, or software development.
• Basic knowledge of data structures, databases, data analysis, and software development principles.
• Familiarity with SQL and experience working with structured datasets.
• Understanding of programming languages such as Python, Java, or similar languages.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet all internship program eligibility requirements.

Desired Qualifications:

• Exposure to real-time data streaming technologies such as Apache Kafka or similar event-driven platforms.
• Understanding of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Familiarity with data integration, ETL/ELT, data warehousing, or modern data architecture concepts.
• Knowledge of data governance, master data management (MDM), data quality, metadata management, or data catalog concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify meaningful insights.

Additional Information

Hours:

• Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Location:

• 820 Follin Lane SE, Vienna, VA 22180

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