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.
$170K - $240K *
Lead the design and development of scalable data solutions, integrating healthcare data and optimizing performance within an Azure Databricks environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to en...
4 days ago
$140K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining data engineering by leading the analytics data platform. Drive technical strategy, enhance data quality, and mentor peers while ensuring reliable access to trusted data f...
1 week ago
Senior Clinical Database Designer
$100K - $140K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance clinical database design, driving efficiency and innovation in data management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and quality in clinical tria...
1 week ago
Senior Product Manager, Applied AI
$153K - $213K *
Drive efficiency by automating internal processes, enhancing productivity across teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, implement AI solutions, and ensure measurable impact on w...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager - Enterprise Data Products
$137K - $233K *
Elevate enterprise data management by leading product strategy and execution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful data products that enhance decision-making and drive business...
2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Elevate your career by leading the technical strategy for mobile growth. Drive user engagement and revenue through innovative Android app development, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enha...
3 days ago
$110K - $120K *
Lead the charge in quality engineering for critical assessment platforms, driving testing excellence and automation maturity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalabil...
2 weeks ago
Senior Data Analyst, Clinical Operations
$90K - $110K *
Optimize analytics workflows in Clinical Operations to enhance productivity and performance insights. Collaborate on data integration, reporting, and automation, ensuring actionable insights drive str...
Reposted 1 month ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Online Storage)
$173K - $233K *
Lead the design and scaling of large-scale distributed SQL databases, enhancing infrastructure reliability and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovative solutions and en...
3 weeks ago
Senior Business Intelligence Analyst
$110K - $130K *
Champion data-driven decision-making by transforming insights into actionable reports and dashboards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance, optimize strategies, and drive bus...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in data analysis and psychometrics to drive innovative assessment solutions. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance educational outcomes through advan...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $185K *
Unlock potential by leading the architecture and development of scalable core platform systems that process transactions and integrate with financial institutions globally. Drive innovation and mentor...
2 days ago
Senior Applied AI Product Manager
$138K - $165K *
Shape the future of AI products by leading strategy, vision, and execution. Drive innovation through collaboration and influence, ensuring exceptional value and responsible practices across diverse bu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Applied AI Product Manager
$138K - $165K *
Drive the end-to-end lifecycle of innovative AI-powered products, shaping strategy and vision while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver exceptional business and customer value through effectiv...
2 weeks ago
$91K - $163K *
Empower your career by driving innovative software solutions through end-to-end development, collaborating with Agile teams, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance product quality and eff...
2 days ago
$150K - $170K *
Create robust digital privacy solutions as a Senior Full Stack Engineer. Take ownership of the code, lifecycle, and platform scalability to directly protect sensitive data for thousands of organizatio...
1 month ago
Senior Observability Engineer (New Relic Consolidation)
$130K - $155K *
Optimize the multi-tenant New Relic consolidation layer, aggregating telemetry across AI agent estates. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance observability practices and ensure effective monit...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Identity Data)
$173K - $233K *
Lead the charge in developing high-availability backend systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions while fostering a culture of quality and ownership within your...
4 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Identity Data)
$153K - $213K *
Empower your career by leading the development of high-availability backend systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and foster a culture of qualit...
5 days ago
Senior Director, Data Architecture
$150K - $180K *
Champion enterprise data architecture by establishing standards and a unified data catalog. Collaborate across teams to define metrics and ensure data governance, driving alignment and clarity in a ha...
1 week ago
Senior Application Security Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Unlock potential by enhancing application security across web apps and APIs. Collaborate with engineering teams to assess risks, conduct reviews, and drive secure software practices throughout the dev...
2 weeks ago
$165K - $175K *
Unlock potential by leading enterprise data engineering initiatives, driving platform modernization, and enhancing operational excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable...
Reposted 3 days ago
$133K - $199K *
Champion a high-performing team of data engineers to drive data transformation, influence technical architecture, and ensure reliable data systems while aligning with business objectives and engineeri...
3 days ago
Lead Platform Engineer/Architect - HPC, Kubernetes
$150K - $180K *
Join a high-growth infrastructure team to operate and scale Kubernetes platforms across multiple cloud providers, ensuring efficient GPU resource allocation and robust monitoring systems to support ma...
2 weeks ago
Lead Platform Engineer/Architect - HPC, Kubernetes
$150K - $180K *
Accelerate progress at a high-growth infrastructure team managing Kubernetes platforms across multiple clouds. You'll enhance GPU resource efficiency and ensure system reliability while collaborating...
2 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.