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 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
$180K - $202K *
Drive customer success by serving as a technical expert, guiding implementations and optimizing strategies for Harness AppSec solutions. Collaborate with clients to ensure they achieve maximum value a...
1 week ago
Senior AI Software Consulting Engineer
$107K - $150K *
Drive the design and delivery of advanced AI solutions, mentoring engineers and ensuring client satisfaction. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable architectures, leadi...
3 days ago
$73K - $102K *
Unlock potential by leading the development of LLM-powered applications and agentic systems. Collaborate across teams to design, implement, and maintain innovative software solutions, ensuring high qu...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $190K *
Unlock end-to-end software solutions by designing and developing scalable features at the intersection of healthcare and technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to rapidly deploy impactful...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior GRC Engineer (Special Programs)
$110K - $130K *
Optimize client compliance engagements by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF standards while driving operational excellence and fostering strong rel...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance mobile experiences by developing and maintaining iOS features. Collaborate across disciplines to create intuitive financial workflows while ensuring security, performanc...
3 weeks ago
Senior AI-Assisted Test Automation Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Drive quality assurance for modern healthcare applications, ensuring reliability and maintainability through automated testing, API validation, and collaboration in an Agile environment. Contribute to...
3 days ago
$127K - $171K *
Champion high-impact deployments by leveraging data intelligence and AI to drive governance solutions in regulated industries, serving as a trusted advisor to stakeholders and delivering measurable va...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Dev Ops
$120K - $145K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of cloud technology by architecting scalable infrastructures, automating CI/CD processes, and enhancing operational excellence through collaboration and innovation...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Account Executive - NY/NJ BFSI
$120K - $150K *
Lead strategic sales initiatives by uncovering new opportunities, managing relationships with C-level executives, and executing a comprehensive sales process to achieve quarterly and annual quotas in...
4 days ago
Senior Director, Dedicated Infrastructure & Platforms
$279K - $349K *
Drive the strategy and execution of dedicated infrastructure engineering, leading a high-performing team to enhance enterprise SaaS offerings, ensure compliance, and deliver exceptional customer exper...
3 days ago
Data Analytics Principal/Director - Financial Services
$160K - $200K *
Join a dynamic team to lead data and AI initiatives in Financial Services, partnering with senior executives to drive strategic transformations and deliver value through innovative solutions and deep...
2 weeks ago
Data Analytics Principal/Director - Financial Services
$160K - $200K *
Lead transformative data and AI initiatives in Financial Services, partnering with C-level executives to drive strategic value. Oversee project portfolios and mentor consultants, leveraging deep exper...
2 weeks ago
Salesforce Lead Developer-Application Development
$130K - $153K *
Unlock potential by driving the development and integration of Salesforce solutions, managing technical aspects across multi-cloud environments, and ensuring quality through hands-on coding and mentor...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Game Engineer, Gen AI - Games
$315K - $500K+*
Innovate dynamic gameplay systems by leveraging Generative AI to enhance player experiences. Collaborate closely with designers to prototype and integrate AI features, ensuring seamless performance an...
2 weeks ago
Senior Customer Success Architect (AI)
$135K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Customer Success Architect, focusing on AI adoption. Lead complex engagements, design tailored solutions, and drive measurable outcomes for enterprise clients, bridging...
1 week 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.