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.
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in AI/ML initiatives that enhance student engagement and retention. Drive cross-functional collaboration to deliver predictive models and measurable outcomes, transforming data into ac...
2 weeks ago
Senior Machine Learning Engineer I // II
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Accelerate progress at the forefront of machine learning, leading high-impact projects that enhance fraud detection capabilities and ensure robust systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to translate...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$140K - $160K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team as a Data Engineer, owning end-to-end data systems and driving platform modernization. You'll improve data reliability and work closely with cross-functio...
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Senior Full Stack Software Engineer
$150K - $300K *
Transform the future of cloud-native applications by designing and developing scalable web solutions. Leverage your expertise in full stack development and cloud technologies to drive innovation and o...
4 days ago
Senior ML Systems Engineer, Inference
$150K - $220K *
Transform LLM inference efficiency by leading the performance measurement, diagnosis, and enhancement efforts to optimize customer experience through cost-effective and speedy solutions in a hands-on...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack (Ruby on Rails)
$120K - $135K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of digital services for Veterans. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll design and maintain scalable applications, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and me...
Yesterday
Lead AI Engineer with Databricks, Agentic AI
$135K - $160K *
Champion transformative AI solutions within our data platform, leading the engineering of agentic systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams to elevate the Product Lifecycle Management ex...
3 weeks ago
$84K - $101K *
Bring your expertise to a dynamic team focused on analyzing key performance metrics and operational drivers. Utilize Python and SQL to develop scalable analytical models, delivering insights that supp...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join our dynamic Delivery team to design and develop robust data pipelines, leveraging cloud technologies and distributed systems while ensuring optimal performance and scalability for our clients' da...
1 month ago
$132K - $181K *
Drive the development of an innovative Excel plugin, integrating AI-driven market intelligence for financial professionals. Collaborate with teams to optimize performance and enhance user experience...
3 weeks ago
$132K - $181K *
Join a team that's redefining financial technology by integrating AI into Excel. You'll develop a powerful plugin that enhances decision-making for financial professionals, ensuring seamless performan...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Unlock your potential as a Lead Data Software Engineer, driving innovative data solutions and leading cross-functional teams to enhance our data infrastructure and ensure scalability and performance a...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack
$110K - $270K *
Innovate software solutions that enhance the delivery of critical treatments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design scalable applications, mentor junior engineers, and drive product direct...
1 week ago
$105K - $140K *
Innovate with advanced analytics and AI to transform enterprise data into actionable insights, driving impactful decisions in Clinical Development and Operations. Collaborate with cross-functional tea...
3 days ago
Senior Software Engineer- Rust / C++
$94K - $176K *
Drive innovation in document processing by leading high-impact projects, shaping architecture, and optimizing performance in a queue-driven pipeline. Collaborate across teams to enhance AI products an...
1 week ago
$140K - $190K *
Lead and design data solutions to drive healthcare insights, working with a team of engineers to build and maintain robust data pipelines, ensuring high reliability and performance for critical busine...
4 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion data-driven insights and solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to shape analytics practice and drive impactful decision-making across various business domains...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$142K - $184K *
Champion the development and operational deployment of vehicle firmware, leveraging IoT data to enhance fleet safety and efficiency through collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams...
Reposted 1 week ago
$154K - $260K *
Innovate and drive technical strategy for AI-powered products at scale. Empower teams to build transformative software solutions, oversee complex projects, and deliver exceptional results that reshape...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $130K *
Transform data engineering by architecting scalable pipelines and optimizing healthcare data solutions. Lead teams to enhance data quality and compliance while driving innovation and strategic alignme...
3 days ago
Senior Technical Consultant - Data & Analytics
$160K - $200K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing scalable data solutions, orchestrating pipelines, and supporting advanced analytics in cloud environments. Collaborate with teams to deliver robust data a...
2 weeks ago
Senior AI Engineer with semantic web tech
$135K - $160K *
Pioneer the future of AI as a Senior Engineer specializing in semantic web technologies, bridging business and tech to create scalable data solutions that enhance analytics, knowledge management, and...
3 weeks ago
Senior Infrastructure Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's transforming cloud infrastructure for institutional investors. You'll deploy and manage AI solutions across various cloud environments, ensuring security and compliance while collab...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Consumer Data Platform)
$153K - $213K *
Elevate your career by designing scalable backend systems that enhance customer engagement and streamline growth. Leverage your expertise to shape impactful solutions in a collaborative, remote-first...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Explore the potential of AI in full-stack development while designing and delivering enterprise applications. Collaborate across teams and mentor engineers, ensuring your expertise shapes cutting-edge...
3 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.