Senior Data Engineers design and operate the systems that help organizations turn raw information into dependable, useful data. They build scalable data platforms, develop resilient pipelines, and enable analytics, machine learning, and business decision-making. Explore vetted Senior Data Engineer opportunities on Ladders, where featured professional roles pay $100,000 or more.
In a senior data engineering role, you may own data architecture, create batch and streaming pipelines, improve data quality, and make datasets easier for teams to discover and use. You may also guide technical standards, review code, mentor colleagues, and partner with data scientists, analysts, product teams, and business leaders.
Employers commonly look for deep SQL and programming experience, often with Python, Java, or Scala. Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, as well as distributed processing tools, orchestration systems, data warehouses, and lakehouse technologies, can be valuable. Strong data modeling, testing, security, and system design skills help senior engineers build trustworthy platforms at scale.
Compensation varies by location, industry, company size, scope, and experience. Senior-level roles often pay six-figure salaries, particularly when they involve platform ownership, cloud architecture, or leadership responsibilities. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, making it easier to explore opportunities aligned with your experience and compensation goals.
Compare roles by technology stack, business domain, team structure, and level of ownership. Tailor your resume to show measurable outcomes—such as faster pipeline performance, improved data reliability, lower infrastructure costs, or broader access to trusted data. Browse Senior Data Engineer jobs on Ladders to find a position where you can make a meaningful impact.
Senior Data Scientist, Generative AI Applications
$150K - $180K *
Grow your career with a pivotal role in architecting GenAI products, enhancing model performance and fostering innovation, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to drive impactful so...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Backend Engineer, Growth & MSSP
$170K - $235K *
Drive the design and implementation of backend services to enhance customer experiences across NodeZero’s licensing, provisioning, and admin systems. Lead efforts to ensure accuracy, scalability, and...
3 weeks ago
Senior Backend Software Engineer
$144K - $189K *
Join a team that's driving complex projects from design to launch, tackling architecture challenges and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to implement scalable solutions while ensuring cod...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Cost Engineering)
$153K - $213K *
Lead a dynamic team to innovate capacity modeling solutions, ensuring optimal resource allocation during peak traffic events. Collaborate across functions to enhance system performance and drive quali...
3 days ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
$145K - $209K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of machine learning and software engineering, driving innovative solutions for ticketing optimization, personalization, and fraud detection. Collaborate across...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$146K - $282K *
Engineer high-quality software solutions, mentor team members, and drive architectural decisions in an AI-driven environment, ensuring excellence and collaboration across product development...
2 weeks ago
Senior Platform Engineer -AI / Platform Lead
$135K - $160K *
Transform your career by leading platform engineering initiatives that enhance developer experience and operational excellence. Drive technical ownership across the software lifecycle, shaping the pla...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer (Azure, Terraform, Kubernetes)
$150K - $175K *
Lead the charge in architecting and managing robust cloud platforms, driving modernization efforts, and automating infrastructure solutions for large-scale enterprises. Collaborate with top engineers...
3 days ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Personalization
$184K - $262K *
Drive innovation in Search by leveraging machine learning to enhance personalized discovery experiences for millions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable solutions that redefine...
1 week ago
Senior Data Analyst, Lumina Data Platform
$85K - $145K *
Unlock potential by transforming data into actionable insights. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver analysis, document findings, and enable self-service across teams, ensuring data quality and cl...
2 weeks ago
Senior Content Engineer, KnowledgeOps
$144K - $276K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of documentation and AI by building systems that enhance knowledge sharing and streamline content workflows for developers and partners, ensuring high-quality...
1 week ago
$125K - $165K *
Shape the future of data analytics by leading the design and implementation of scalable data transformation frameworks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver trusted data products that dr...
2 weeks ago
$84K - $87K *
Join us as a Data Operations Engineer, where you'll develop and manage data systems for healthcare claims processing. Collaborate with teams to ensure data accuracy and optimize ETL/ELT pipelines whil...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Platform Engineer, MarTech
$145K - $165K *
Lead the charge in enhancing marketing technology platforms to optimize customer engagement and journey orchestration. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable solutions and improve...
1 week ago
$117K - $157K *
Join a team that's transforming enterprise AI solutions through innovative design and deployment. Leverage your expertise to build secure, scalable AI platforms that enhance business processes and dri...
6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock strategic insights as a Senior Financial Analyst, driving financial performance and process improvements across departments. Collaborate with leaders to enhance decision-making and support grow...
4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Ad Tech
$120K - $145K *
Drive the development of scalable software platforms, leveraging AI tools and modern methodologies to enhance performance and quality. Collaborate cross-functionally to build impactful solutions that...
6 days ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
$138K - $165K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in machine learning applications. You'll design and build optimization solutions, leveraging AI to enhance performance and reliability while collaborating across...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Metrics and Evaluation - Autonomous Vehicles
$184K - $356K *
Develop metrics and evaluation methodologies to enhance Autonomous Vehicle software. Collaborate across teams to innovate testing strategies and deliver data-driven insights, driving forward cutting-e...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Full-Stack Engineer (AI-Native)
$110K - $130K *
Optimize end-to-end project delivery by developing customer-facing products and internal tools. Collaborate with stakeholders to rapidly turn needs into functional solutions, leveraging AI and modern...
1 week ago
Senior Data Scientist II - Ads Optimization
$218K - $230K *
Transform advertiser outcomes by owning analytics and experimentation strategy. Lead algorithm development for ad pacing and budget allocation, applying advanced data science in high-throughput enviro...
3 weeks ago
Senior Data Scientist II - Ads Optimization
$192K - $202K *
Drive analytics and algorithmic strategies that optimize ad performance across platforms, balancing user experience with advertiser goals. Collaborate cross-functionally to implement groundbreaking so...
3 weeks ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Payments
$191K - $223K *
Join our innovative Payments team to develop AI-driven solutions that enhance payment experiences, prevent fraud, and optimize transaction processes, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive innovation in insurance technology by transforming Gosu customizations into Java. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable backend services and APIs, enhancing the Guidewire Cl...
2 weeks ago
Senior Developer Marketing Manager
$134K - $160K *
Shape the future of developer marketing by leading global initiatives that drive engagement and adoption. Collaborate across teams to create impactful campaigns and ensure a unified brand voice, trans...
3 days ago
What does a Senior Data Engineer do?
A Senior Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data platforms and pipelines. The role often includes setting technical standards, improving data quality and reliability, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with analytics, machine learning, and business teams.
What skills are needed for Senior Data Engineer jobs?
Common requirements include advanced SQL, programming in languages such as Python, Java, or Scala, data modeling, distributed data processing, cloud infrastructure, and pipeline orchestration. Employers may also value experience with data warehouses, streaming systems, security, and technical leadership.
How much do Senior Data Engineers earn?
Pay depends on location, industry, employer, experience, and role scope. Many senior positions offer six-figure compensation. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.
What qualifications are typically required for a Senior Data Engineer role?
Employers often seek several years of hands-on data engineering experience and a track record of delivering production data systems. A degree in computer science or a related field may be preferred, though equivalent practical experience is often considered.
How can I find a Senior Data Engineer job on Ladders?
Browse Senior Data Engineer listings on Ladders and compare opportunities by employer, location, technology stack, and responsibilities. Highlight relevant systems work and measurable results in your resume when applying.