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.
$160K - $230K *
Transform mission-critical applications by collaborating with AI engineers to enhance performance, scalability, and security. Drive technical excellence and mentor peers while navigating dynamic feder...
3 days ago
$153K - $210K *
Strategize and enhance data integrity across extensive systems, ensuring all operational data is accurate and reliable for key clinical and financial workflows while enabling self-serve analytics for...
Reposted yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in data platform modernization by building and optimizing scalable data pipelines using AWS technologies, engaging directly with clients to deliver innovative solutions that transform...
1 month ago
Senior Software Engineer (Big Data)
$135K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to architect and enhance scalable data pipelines, delivering actionable security insights. Collaborate across disciplines to support large data volumes and refine algorithms, makin...
3 weeks ago
Senior AI Data & Analytics Engineer II
$137K - $231K *
Optimize data infrastructure and AI solutions to drive impactful analytics and automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect scalable data models and pipelines, ensuring high-qualit...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement AI workflows that integrate models, enterprise data, and business logic, delivering reliable production solutions and collaborating with various stakeholder...
3 weeks ago
$143K - $241K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable data solutions, optimize performance, and enhance software architecture while adhering to coding standards and leveraging AI to...
3 weeks ago
$128K - $153K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of technology by delivering impactful software solutions. Collaborate on innovative projects, optimize data operations, and enhance user experiences while support...
2 days ago
$152K - $205K *
Join our team to optimize fraud detection models, transforming data into actionable insights. Collaborate across departments to enhance risk management and ensure robust protection against evolving fr...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Data Infrastructure
$175K - $200K *
Optimize our data infrastructure platform by enhancing automation, observability, and stability. Drive architectural changes to support long-term service requirements while ensuring high throughput an...
4 days ago
Senior Architect - Data Processing Systems, Analytics and Data Intelligence
$184K - $356K *
Transform data processing architectures by optimizing performance and efficiency. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance user experiences and drive innovation in hardware-software co-design for cut...
Reposted 6 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Transform complex data into actionable insights by owning end-to-end data initiatives. Design scalable pipelines and models that enhance product features and analytics, ensuring data quality and relia...
2 weeks ago
Senior AI Engineer/ A2A, Databricks, MCP
$145K - $175K *
Deliver robust AI solutions by designing and implementing core agents for a cutting-edge enterprise platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, production-ready deploymen...
3 weeks ago
Senior Infrastructure Engineer
$166K - $230K *
Empower your career as a Senior Infrastructure Engineer focusing on enhancing Lakehouse infrastructure, security, and cost efficiency while collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize data p...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer II, Ads Data Solutions Engineering
$192K - $202K *
Lead the technical roadmap and modernize data solutions infrastructure, enhancing off-platform integrations and measurement capabilities while driving AI-first engineering initiatives and cross-team c...
1 week ago
Senior machine learning engineer
$171K - $269K *
Elevate AI-powered search experiences by developing machine learning capabilities, enhancing query understanding, and delivering intelligent systems that adapt to user needs across diverse platforms a...
3 weeks ago
Senior AI Data & Analytics Engineer II
$137K - $231K *
Lead the charge in architecting a robust data infrastructure that powers AI and analytics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex business challenges into scalable data solutions...
1 week ago
Senior AI Data & Analytics Engineer II
$137K - $231K *
Accelerate your career by architecting data solutions that drive AI and analytics at scale. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex business challenges into impactful data product...
1 week ago
Senior AI Data & Analytics Engineer II
$137K - $231K *
Help us build a robust data foundation for AI and analytics at scale. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect data pipelines and models, transforming complex business challenges into impa...
1 week ago
$142K - $150K *
Explore a dynamic role as a Big Data Engineer, driving innovation in ETL/ELT systems, optimizing data frameworks, and collaborating with a talented team to enhance data solutions across diverse enviro...
Yesterday
$106K - $198K *
Create innovative data solutions by delivering full-stack capabilities across the data lifecycle. Collaborate with teams to design, implement, and optimize data processing pipelines that ensure accura...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform data into actionable insights by building robust data pipelines, dashboards, and monitoring frameworks. Leverage expertise in Skyline DataMiner to enhance network performance analytics and e...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to architect and implement innovative AI applications, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver scalable, efficient solutions, and mentor junior developers while staying at the f...
3 weeks ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer (Traditional ML & Financial Data) - Remote - USA
$125K - $150K *
Shape the future of machine learning by collaborating with clients to develop and optimize innovative solutions. Leverage your expertise in traditional algorithms and data science to drive impactful r...
Reposted today
Senior Machine Learning Engineer (Traditional ML & Financial Data) - Remote - USA
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of machine learning by leveraging traditional algorithms and financial data. Collaborate with clients to design, build, and optimize innovative solutions while ad...
Reposted today
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.