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 Business Systems Engineer - Product & Engineering Platforms
$120K - $145K *
Drive the evolution of product and engineering systems by managing platforms like Jira and Aha!. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance workflows, integrations, and reporting, ensuring tools align...
1 month ago
Senior AI/ML Architect, Applied Field Engineering
$160K - $190K *
Elevate AI solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, architect, and implement innovative AI and ML strategies, ensuring customer success and adoption across diverse technical e...
2 days ago
Senior Generative AI Python Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Unlock innovation by designing backend services in Python and enhancing AI-powered search solutions. Collaborate in agile teams to create impactful enterprise search products while mentoring peers and...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate solutions in software development, driving impactful changes across applications and frameworks. Lead initiatives to enhance functionality, ensure quality, and optimize performance in e-comme...
3 weeks ago
Lead Data Software Engineer with Databricks with Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, Kubernetes
$135K - $160K *
Drive the migration of a data analytics platform to a cloud-agnostic solution. Oversee implementation of Spark pipelines on Kubernetes, manage testing and deployment processes, and guide team members...
3 weeks ago
$118K - $186K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic Data Engineering team to build scalable data solutions that drive critical business decisions and foster a data-driven culture across the organization...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Audit (Full Stack)
$135K - $160K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative, AI-powered financial audit solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design agent-driven experiences and own complex onboarding workflows for major...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining data engineering by designing and maintaining robust data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable datasets for...
2 weeks ago
$170K - $210K *
Shape the future of data engineering by owning our core infrastructure and driving the technical direction of data platforms. Collaborate across teams to ensure best practices in data modeling, pipeli...
3 weeks ago
Staff Data Engineer - GRC Enablement (OLTP)
$149K - $240K *
Help us build robust data foundations by designing Postgres schemas and optimizing transactional models. Collaborate with teams to ensure reliable data systems and mentor engineers in data fluency, en...
2 weeks ago
Senior ML / Evaluation Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Explore exciting challenges in AI evaluation by developing frameworks and custom validators for cutting-edge machine learning applications. Collaborate to enhance the quality and reliability of AI age...
3 weeks ago
Machine Learning Engineer (Model Dev)
$140K - $180K *
Transform cancer care by developing AI biomarkers through collaboration with ML scientists and clinical partners, enhancing model robustness and interpretability across diverse datasets to improve pat...
2 weeks ago
$210K - $260K *
Drive the evolution of our AI data platform, ensuring high-volume ingestion, processing, and governance of diverse media. Collaborate with researchers to create reproducible datasets and build infrast...
1 week ago
$140K - $175K *
Empower scientific innovation by collaborating within product pods to develop and evaluate real-world evidence agents. Drive impactful research and ensure scientific rigor while partnering with indust...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer II - Storage
$250K - $280K *
Join a team that's redefining data storage solutions. As a senior engineer, you'll design and implement high-impact systems, ensuring performance and reliability while collaborating across teams to dr...
3 weeks ago
$93K - $141K *
Innovate data solutions by building and maintaining robust pipelines that enhance healthcare data products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and reliability in data delivery...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - 26402
$110K - $140K *
Drive your career with a dynamic team focused on developing innovative software solutions for the electric and gas distribution market, enhancing functionality and integration while mentoring junior d...
2 days ago
Senior Backend Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive innovation by leading backend development for high-traffic APIs and microservices. Collaborate across teams to enhance system reliability, scalability, and performance while optimizing cloud cos...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement scalable data processing pipelines, enhancing data flow and enabling faster analysis. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs in...
1 week ago
$110K - $120K *
Accelerate data-driven insights by leading data cleansing and analytics efforts for federal financial management. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver impactful reporting and automation solutions...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Identity
$166K - $242K *
Deliver secure, reliable backend systems that enhance user experiences across products. Own projects from design to deployment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to balance security and usabil...
Reposted 6 days ago
Software Engineer, Data Integration
$110K - $130K *
Transform healthcare by engineering seamless data integrations between complex EHR systems and our innovative platform. Empower clinicians with actionable insights to enhance patient care and outcomes...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Software Engineer - AI Accelerated Development
$110K - $130K *
Innovate and drive AI agent development for clinical trial platforms, integrating LLMs through the .NET stack. Engage in hands-on engineering to deliver end-to-end AI features, enhancing patient-centr...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Manager, Data Streaming
$225K - $265K *
Accelerate progress at a mission-critical team, leading Data Streaming to enhance data ingestion pipelines. Build a skilled team, ensure pipeline reliability, and collaborate cross-functionally to sup...
Yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Unlock innovative AI/ML solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, conducting research, and deploying production-grade microservices. Drive impactful projects with ownership and contribut...
2 weeks 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.