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.
Staff Full Stack Software Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Reimagine your career as a Staff Full-Stack Software Engineer, leading technical direction and mentoring teams while developing a cloud-based platform that empowers forensic investigators to uncover c...
4 days ago
Software Engineer II, Backend (Batch Developer Experience)
$146K - $206K *
Build innovative backend systems to enhance batch development and testing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows, improve reliability, and support operational excellence in a...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Contribute to innovative AI solutions by leading a delivery squad, driving architecture, and mentoring engineers. Embrace AI-assisted coding practices to enhance delivery quality and efficiency while...
2 weeks ago
$103K - $146K *
Drive proactive, data-driven security by owning data pipelines and attribution layers. Transform raw security data into actionable insights, enhancing remediation speed and influencing AI-augmented an...
Yesterday
Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in transforming legacy systems by leveraging your CA Gen expertise to modernize applications and drive technical innovation within a collaborative engineering team...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Lead CA Gen Engineer - Mainframe Modernization (Remote)
$125K - $150K *
Transform legacy technology by leading modernization efforts, utilizing your deep expertise in CA Gen and COBOL. Collaborate within a dynamic team to design specifications that support the successful...
3 weeks ago
Senior Client Solutions Partner
$125K - $150K *
Shape customer experience strategies by leading transformative sales initiatives in CCaaS. Collaborate with clients to innovate their CX journey through AI technologies and advanced analytics, driving...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager, Billing Engine & Platforms Monetization
$139K - $235K *
Champion the backend usage billing pipeline, driving product direction and ensuring seamless integration for credit-based offerings while enhancing scalability and reliability across platforms...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform
$166K - $232K *
Lead the evolution of our data platform to enhance analytics and machine learning capabilities. Collaborate cross-functionally to architect robust data solutions that empower teams to leverage insight...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Revenue Operations Program Manager
$145K - $160K *
Drive strategic initiatives by leading complex, cross-functional projects that align stakeholders and transform business priorities into actionable plans, ensuring successful execution across Revenue...
2 weeks ago
Staff Architect - Data Platform (Remote)
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in shaping enterprise-scale data architecture and AI solutions. Collaborate globally to create valuable data products and cross-border workflows that empower organizational analytics a...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Empower our Digital team as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full stack development and modernization initiatives. Collaborate closely to enhance our Digital Banking platform, architecting new APIs...
Yesterday
Senior Software Engineer, Solutions Engineering
$179K - $224K *
Unlock innovative solutions as you guide software engineering teams to navigate complexities and enhance integrations while mentoring diverse talents in a collaborative environment...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Strategic Enterprise Account Executive, Life Sciences
$311K - $428K *
Champion innovation in large medical device accounts by leveraging your expertise in big data and cloud technologies. Drive strategic sales, exceed targets, and foster strong relationships with key de...
6 days ago
Senior Product Manager, Growth
$181K - $213K *
Transform product-led growth by crafting data-driven strategies, enhancing customer experiences with AI, and driving account expansion through collaboration and experimentation across teams...
1 week ago
Senior Data Scientist II, Core & Agentic Automation
$186K - $219K *
Champion data science initiatives by defining KPIs, leading analytics frameworks, and mentoring teams. Drive decision-making through trusted metrics and scalable workflows, aligning cross-functional p...
3 days ago
Senior Data Scientist II, Core & Agentic Automation
$183K - $216K *
Unlock your potential by leading data science initiatives that drive impactful decision-making and enhance analytical frameworks across teams, ensuring rigorous performance standards and scalable self...
3 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, SRE and Production Engineering - DGX Cloud
$184K - $287K *
Transform production infrastructure by automating bare-metal provisioning and enhancing GPU capacity management. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and efficiency in AI workloads, driving...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of digital transformation by leading a dynamic team to deliver innovative solutions that enhance business efficiency and customer experience across multi-functional AWS programs...
2 days ago
$120K - $216K *
Champion the development of high-performance REST APIs, leading architectural decisions and mentoring engineers. Collaborate across teams to enhance system performance and establish best practices in...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$134K - $199K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI agents and workflows that enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into scalabl...
2 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, AI Automation
$130K - $195K *
Join a dynamic AI Automation team to design and deliver production-grade AI agents and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency across the organization while solving complex business challenges wit...
2 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Champion the development of an autonomous AI platform through full-stack engineering, enhancing multi-agent systems and ensuring robust quality and safety standards across production deployments...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer - Files Platform
$158K - $248K *
Unlock potential by architecting scalable file management solutions, integrating distributed systems, and ensuring secure access for enterprise customers. Collaborate across teams to enhance data acce...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, SRE and Production Engineering - DGX Cloud
$152K - $287K *
Join a team that builds and operates large-scale GPU infrastructure for AI workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop automation and tools, ensuring reliability and efficiency in pr...
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.