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.
Databricks Solutions Architect 2026 - US
$150K - $180K *
Contribute to innovative AI solutions by leveraging Databricks expertise, engaging with diverse teams and clients, and delivering impactful technical content to drive the future of data and analytics...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Product Manager, Data Infrastructure
$150K - $235K *
Transform data access and orchestration by managing a self-service platform that empowers engineers and analysts, ensuring safe, efficient workflows while driving innovation in AI integration and syst...
3 weeks ago
Senior Strategic Program Manager
$110K - $130K *
Empower customer success as a Senior Strategic Program Manager, overseeing major contracts, driving growth strategies, and enhancing operational efficiency. Collaborate with teams to ensure excellence...
2 weeks ago
Senior Perception Software Engineer
$224K - $356K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous driving by designing and developing cutting-edge perception solutions. Collaborate with top engineers to enhance software robustness and efficiency...
1 week ago
Senior Tier 3 Engineer - Calix Cloud
$72K - $140K *
Accelerate customer success by owning escalated technical issues, collaborating across teams, and mentoring support engineers. Drive product improvements and ensure high-quality support for Calix Clou...
1 week ago
Senior Solutions Engineer, Acquisition | West Coast | Remote
$204K - $254K *
Engage as a key member of a high-growth team driving technical sales and solutions. Influence customer success through in-depth product knowledge and presentations, while collaborating closely with Sa...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Marketing Operations Manager
$145K - $185K *
Join a team that's driving marketing excellence by owning and scaling our marketing operations. You'll lead cross-functional projects, optimize tech stacks, and ensure data integrity to enhance pipeli...
2 weeks ago
Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer, ML Understanding
$266K - $372K *
Optimize user personalization strategies by leading advanced ML user modeling initiatives. Shape cohesive user representation frameworks for improved engagement across Reddit's platforms, leveraging c...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior VDC Engineer, driving innovative design solutions and enhancing project delivery through advanced BIM technologies and collaboration with diverse teams in a dynamic e...
6 days ago
Senior Manager, Software Engineering, NetScout - Remote
$112K - $193K *
Engineer and enhance observability platforms to deliver actionable insights into user experience. Lead cross-functional teams to optimize performance, reliability, and automation across diverse techno...
1 week ago
Enterprise Account Executive, Federal Health
$272K - $374K *
Lead the charge in driving sales within Federal Health accounts, leveraging your expertise in big data and cloud technologies to exceed revenue targets and foster strong client relationships. Collabor...
1 week ago
$85K - $105K *
Champion customer success by leveraging data solutions to drive impactful results. Collaborate with clients to optimize their experience, ensuring seamless implementation and maximizing the value of o...
3 weeks ago
$168K - $181K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative AWS cloud solutions for scoring capabilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system reliability and efficiency, while mentoring junior engi...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $135K *
Transform healthcare by developing cloud-native solutions that enhance radiology workflows. As a Senior Software Developer, you'll lead full-stack projects on AWS, ensuring quality and security while...
1 week ago
Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer - MQ
$60K - $152K *
Engage with clients to deliver exceptional software support for MQ on mainframe systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure timely installations, upgrades, and migrations while adhering to best practi...
2 weeks ago
Senior Enterprise Account Executive, Acquisition | West | Remote
$260K - $300K *
Unlock your potential by driving new customer acquisition and managing sales processes in a fast-paced tech environment. Leverage your consultative sales skills to identify needs and articulate produc...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer - Onboarding and Migrations
$156K - $196K *
Develop and maintain scalable backend applications and data pipelines, leveraging cloud infrastructure and modern programming languages to enhance system performance and support data analytics, while...
6 days ago
$81K - $138K *
Lead the charge in modernizing federal data ecosystems by building robust data pipelines and models. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and support analytics, reporting...
2 weeks ago
Director, Data Engineering & Analytics
$178K - $294K *
Join a team that's redefining data engineering and analytics. Lead strategy, architecture, and execution of scalable data solutions while mentoring professionals and driving business outcomes through...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Lead customer engagement through technical discovery and deployment, integrating AI solutions while collaborating with Sales, Product, and Engineering teams. Drive implementation efficiency and bridge...
3 weeks ago
Principal Sales Infrastructure Analyst, Analytics Engineering
$156K - $204K *
Drive data alignment and enhance business processes by designing robust data pipelines and infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data quality and accessibility, enabling ef...
2 weeks ago
$104K - $130K *
Empower your career by designing, deploying, and optimizing cutting-edge AI & ML infrastructures in dynamic client environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and excelle...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower data-driven decisions by building scalable data models and analytics solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform raw data into actionable insights, ensuring high-quality re...
5 days ago
Senior Technical Product Marketing Manager, Edge (SMM193)
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's redefining product marketing strategies for cutting-edge defense solutions. Lead the charge in driving growth and adoption of innovative technologies while collaborating with cross...
1 week ago
$125K - $175K *
Lead and optimize project management efforts, ensuring safety and efficiency while fostering strong relationships with clients and teams. Drive strategic improvements and mentor diverse teams to achie...
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.