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.
Sr. Pre-Sales Engineer (Financial Services & Insurance)
$200K - $265K *
Champion innovative data solutions by partnering with sales teams to demonstrate the value of graph databases in financial services, driving technical evaluations and customer engagement to accelerate...
4 days ago
Senior Principal Should Cost Engineer (Remote)
$132K - $251K *
Optimize cost modeling and benchmarking for complex assemblies, driving transparency in supplier negotiations across various defense products. Lead should cost assessments and develop models to enhanc...
1 week ago
Machine Learning Engineer II - Autonomous Driving Performance Evaluation
$172K - $210K *
Drive innovation in autonomous driving by enhancing ML metrics and evaluation systems. Collaborate with a diverse team to optimize performance and ensure reliability across cutting-edge mobility servi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Strategic Core Account Executive - Retail
$311K - $428K *
Join a team that drives growth in enterprise accounts. Leverage your expertise in big data and cloud solutions to expand client relationships and exceed targets within the retail vertical, inspiring i...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior QA Automation Engineer (Platform)
$110K - $130K *
Empower engineering teams by building robust test automation solutions that enhance productivity. Design and own comprehensive frameworks that streamline workflows, and collaborate with product teams...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead a dynamic engineering team in developing high-quality remote software solutions. Collaborate with product managers and designers to ensure scalable applications while embracing best practices and...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Sales Engineer - SLED (So. California)
$231K - $257K *
Engage with clients as a Senior Sales Engineer to drive enterprise sales, providing tailored technical support, and enabling successful data security and management adoption through strategic collabor...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$151K - $178K *
Shape the future of credit decisioning by leading a team focused on automating underwriting processes, enhancing portfolio analytics, and driving policy governance in a fast-paced fintech environment...
3 weeks ago
Senior Data Product Manager, Agriculture
$115K - $149K *
Advance your career by leading the strategy for agricultural data products that drive impactful data solutions and customer value across multiple teams and technologies in a dynamic, innovative enviro...
3 weeks ago
Sr Principal AI/ML Engineer: Office-Based preferred, will consider Remote
$184K - $316K *
Transform healthcare solutions by architecting and delivering scalable AI/ML systems. Leverage deep engineering expertise to drive innovation, enhance workflows, and ensure security and reliability ac...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical Cost Estimator - Data Center Construction
$100K - $170K *
Analyze and develop precise electrical cost estimates for large-scale data center projects, ensuring accurate planning and commercial guidance throughout the project lifecycle while collaborating with...
1 week ago
$200K - $240K *
Join a dynamic team as you provide technical expertise, drive enterprise opportunities, and architect innovative solutions that meet client needs while showcasing the value of our cutting-edge product...
4 days ago
Software Engineer I - LLM Observability
$160K - $180K *
Empower your career by delivering AI observability solutions end-to-end. Collaborate with a cross-functional team to enhance user experiences and drive insights into AI systems, shaping the future of...
1 week ago
Senior Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Cards)
$236K - $296K *
Champion technical excellence by leading full-stack teams in revolutionizing credit card solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive scalable, high-performing initiatives while mentoring enginee...
1 week ago
Software Engineer II, Backend (PMI Integrations)
$133K - $183K *
Engineer scalable backend solutions for partner integrations, collaborating cross-functionally to ensure timely project delivery and operational stability. Leverage your expertise in distributed syste...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$90K - $152K *
Advance your career by leading mainframe capacity planning initiatives, optimizing performance, and driving automation solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency and mentor ju...
3 days ago
$140K - $175K *
Transform data into insights by designing and maintaining scalable knowledge graph solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data quality and accessibility, while optimizing perform...
1 week ago
Senior Product Marketing Manager, WebApp
$180K - $230K *
Drive market dominance by owning the GTM strategy for innovative AppSec products, collaborating closely with technical teams and sales to ensure successful launches and impactful messaging that resona...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Applied Data Scientist – Performance Management & AI Solutions
$87K - $157K *
Innovate solutions by leveraging data, AI, and analytics to enhance operational performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform complex challenges into actionable insights, driving m...
1 week ago
Senior SDK Engineer - Platform Enablement
$173K - $207K *
Elevate your career by designing and building essential SDKs that empower engineering teams to create reliable, observable distributed systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance developer experience...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager, Device Experience
$130K - $219K *
Drive the vision for Samsara device installations, enhancing user experiences and ensuring rapid, accurate setups. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize the install process, making impac...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Engineer III, iOS - Cal AI
$135K - $165K *
Engage with our Cal AI team to enhance user experiences through innovative iOS development. Collaborate, mentor, and implement high-quality features that empower users on their health journeys while f...
1 week ago
Associate Principal Engineer - Support Lead - Media Operations
$110K - $130K *
Reimagine media operations by leading a team of analysts, leveraging your expertise in broadcast management systems and scheduling software to enhance efficiency and drive results in a dynamic, fast-p...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Engage in innovative software solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, balancing technical priorities while mentoring a distributed team. Collaborate on designing, testing, and delivering quality prod...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion the management of mainframe outsourcing, ensuring optimal performance and vendor accountability while providing technical leadership and support for mainframe technologies across the organiza...
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.