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.
$129K - $166K *
Join a team that's redefining AI solutions on AWS, architecting and deploying innovative systems for scientific research. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to create scalable, secure, and reliable...
Yesterday
$157K - $232K *
Lead the charge in building scalable data infrastructure for analytics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data architecture, drive AI/ML initiatives, and establish governance across t...
3 weeks ago
$142K - $218K *
Shape the future of data architecture by building scalable data platforms that drive impactful analytics and AI/ML initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective data governa...
3 weeks ago
$124K - $170K *
Lead the charge in innovative software solutions for healthcare, collaborating with diverse teams to enhance patient care and meet customer needs through cutting-edge technology and creative problem-s...
1 week ago
$145K - $160K *
Pioneer data-driven insights by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance business strategies. Leverage advanced analytics and visualization skills to drive operational improvements and sup...
1 week ago
Senior Backend Engineer, Integrations
$170K - $235K *
Join a team that's transforming integrations into a cohesive, high-quality API platform. You will lead backend development and operational reliability, driving collaborations and mentoring initiatives...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer II - Enterprise Foundations
$192K - $202K *
Lead the charge in architecting and integrating complex systems for a scalable retail platform. Drive multi-quarter projects, collaborate across teams, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring high...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate data engineering capabilities by designing robust ETL/ELT workflows, ensuring data quality, and implementing scalable solutions on AWS and Kubernetes. Collaborate with teams to optimize perfor...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack, Angular, Java, AWS
$128K - $170K *
Advance your career by designing and delivering scalable software solutions. Collaborate with teams to address challenges while enhancing product quality and performance in the healthcare supply chain...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Data Platform Engineer
$160K - $185K *
Shape the future of data engineering by leading the architecture and evolution of a robust enterprise data platform, ensuring reliability and integration across analytics, reporting, and AI capabiliti...
2 weeks ago
Lead Platform Engineer (Data & AI)
$155K - $175K *
Unlock potential by leading the architecture and deployment of AI and workflow platforms, driving innovation across client engagements while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operat...
2 weeks ago
Senior Lead Software Engineer, Analytics Products (REMOTE)
$140K - $190K *
Drive innovation in healthcare analytics as a Senior Lead Software Engineer, leading product development, designing ETL processes, and mentoring a collaborative team to enhance patient outcomes throug...
1 week ago
Senior AI Engineer/ AI Agents Development
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AI integration in product development. Lead the creation of an AI-native PDLC framework, enhancing workflows through innovative AI solutions while collaboratin...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Lakehouse Infra)
$173K - $255K *
Champion the future of data infrastructure by leading a team to deliver scalable, reliable solutions for data access and processing, ensuring high availability and supporting critical business operati...
1 week ago
Senior/Staff Engineer, Cloud & Infrastructure Security
$152K - $250K *
Join as a Senior Security Engineer to lead our data security infrastructure, ensuring sensitive data is classified and protected across the organization. Collaborate with teams to build innovative sol...
Reposted 1 month ago
Senior Software Engineer, Data Platform
$149K - $198K *
Advance data infrastructure by designing and implementing robust systems for data processing, discovery, and lineage, empowering engineering teams to leverage expansive data for machine learning and a...
1 month ago
Senior/Staff Software Engineer (Platform and Execution Model)
$180K - $240K *
Elevate your career by designing and building robust distributed systems. Lead architectural decisions, ensure reliability, and mentor engineers while tackling complex challenges in regulated environm...
2 weeks ago
Senior Data Scientist - Remote
$91K - $163K *
Drive innovation by leveraging machine learning and LLMs to transform healthcare analytics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze data, develop models, and deliver actionable insights tha...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Backend Engineer - Databases - Analytics | Canada | Remote
$164K - $197K *
Design and develop innovative database systems for a versatile data platform, enabling seamless SIEM and AI agent interaction while ensuring reliability and scalability within a pragmatic, collaborati...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Backend Engineer, Experimentation
$163K - $224K *
Advance innovative backend systems for a cutting-edge experimentation platform, driving impactful decisions through large-scale data solutions in a collaborative team environment, while designing and...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior or Staff Site Reliability Engineer - 26248
$125K - $150K *
Deliver innovative solutions by managing AWS infrastructure, ensuring stability, and automating processes. Collaborate with developers to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining high uptime a...
Reposted 1 month ago
$100K - $120K *
Help us modernize our data platform by designing and building robust data models and analytics solutions. Collaborate with analysts and stakeholders to transform complex data into actionable insights...
1 week ago
Senior Product Manager, Data Catalog & AI Readiness
$120K - $145K *
Lead the development of a data catalog for AI consumption, ensuring quality and accessibility. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to onboard domains, manage readiness assessments, and drive align...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing core systems that empower users to engage with diverse news perspectives. Collaborate closely with a small, agile team to design, build, and enhance backend services, ens...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Engineers a scalable data platform architecture aligning with business goals. Drive high-impact decisions, mentor team members, and ensure data quality while collaborating across functions to enhance...
Reposted 3 weeks 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.