Explore Senior Data Engineer Jobs

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.

What Senior Data Engineers Do

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.

Skills and Technologies Employers Seek

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.

Senior Data Engineer Salary and Career Outlook

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.

Find the Right Senior Data Engineering Role

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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$160K - $305K *

Drive application security excellence through threat modeling, vulnerability management, and secure code reviews. Collaborate globally with developers to enhance AI system security and implement best...

Texas, USRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $162K *

Develop and optimize backend features for a Rust-based graph data service, enhancing reliability and scalability while collaborating across teams to deliver impactful solutions for GitLab's platform...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $135K *

Elevate your career by leading enterprise data and AI governance initiatives. Collaborate across teams to define frameworks, implement policies, and drive adoption of responsible AI practices, ensurin...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$156K - $234K *

Lead the charge in shaping the strategy and roadmap for a cutting-edge Context Engine, driving cross-functional collaboration to enhance metadata and business context for AI and human analysts, ensuri...

San Diego, CARemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Engineer cutting-edge AI evaluation strategies and infrastructure, ensuring quality and reliability across multi-tenant systems. Collaborate with senior teams to enhance product decisions through robu...

Georgia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$187K - $260K *

Lead the charge in shaping our marketing technology ecosystem, driving product strategy and team development while enhancing workflows and cross-channel capabilities for data-driven marketing success...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $180K *

Shape the future of financial services by defining AI-driven product strategies and requirements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to turn complex regulated needs into actionable insights, driv...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$244K - $409K *

Drive the development of a global SME organization, leading regional teams to enhance technical selling and product direction. Transform ambiguity into structure while mentoring leaders and collaborat...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$191K *

Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team to enhance onchain trading systems, integrating innovative solutions, and optimizing performance for millions of users. Drive impactful changes in a fast-pac...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$108K - $137K *

Empower operations by ensuring data integrity for market systems. Partner to verify service reservations and regulatory compliance while providing analytical insights to enhance stakeholder engagement...

Little Rock, ARRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$105K - $231K *

Optimize enterprise analytics solutions to provide real-time insights and reporting for federal HR stakeholders, driving strategic decision-making and compliance in a fast-paced modernization initiati...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Develop and implement MLOps strategy for enterprise-grade ML systems, driving model lifecycle management. Collaborate with teams to design scalable pipelines and ensure high reliability across ML solu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in developing end-to-end AI workflows, integrating LLM systems, and enhancing production reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and elevate AI engineering pra...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Join the Platform Engineering Team to design and implement innovative solutions across infrastructure, data, and security platforms, leveraging modern technologies to enhance efficiency and security i...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Empower your career by developing scalable data solutions using functional Scala. Join a dynamic team focused on innovative cloud-based applications, collaborating to create high-quality products that...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Deliver high-quality software solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, collaborating with a dynamic team to maintain and enhance eLearning products while driving technical specifications and improveme...

Franklin, TNRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $145K *

Reimagine data governance by shaping a robust framework that empowers teams to define, manage, and optimize data products with clear accountability, streamlined workflows, and effective collaboration...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of data technology, transforming businesses through strategic data solutions. Drive impactful projects, collaborate with industry leaders, and unlock data potenti...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $170K *

Innovate with AI to enhance HR software. Design and develop scalable web services, lead initiatives, and mentor engineers while focusing on user experience and collaboration in a dynamic environment...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$92K - $115K *

Unlock potential by enhancing tax technology and reporting processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve data accuracy and efficiency in tax compliance and reporting for a dynamic, mul...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$103K - $181K *

Empower a dynamic Agile team in developing critical mission applications, utilizing your expertise in enterprise software development and fostering effective collaboration to enhance solutions for com...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Elevate client success by leading complex implementations, managing technical integrations, and driving process improvements. Utilize AI tools to enhance efficiency while collaborating with cross-func...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Innovate data engineering solutions in mission-critical environments, collaborating closely with users and engineers to deploy and operate data capabilities. Tackle complex integrations and enhance da...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$192K - $266K *

Drive best-in-class travel support through strategic leadership and operational excellence. Oversee lodging, flights, and customer advocacy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and exception...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$102K - $142K *

Transform Salesforce systems by enhancing integrations and configurations. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support professional services and streamline project management, ensuring seamless operati...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Senior Data Engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.