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Associate Data Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

San Diego, CA

$121.60K - $146K/yr

The Marlin Alliance is seeking a forward-thinking Data Engineer in San Diego, CA to provide client ... Associate III $175,000 - $225,000 Disclaimer: This in no way states or implies that these are the ...

Data Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$122.90K - $147.60K/yr

The Marlin Alliance is seeking a forward-thinking Data Engineer in San Diego, CAto provide client ... Associate III $175,000 - $225,000 Disclaimer: This in no way states or implies that these are the ...

Data Engineer

San Diego, CA

$122.90K - $147.60K/yr

The Marlin Alliance is seeking a forward-thinking Data Engineer in San Diego, CA to provide client ... Associate III $175,000 - $225,000 Disclaimer: This in no way states or implies that these are the ...

Azure Data Engineer Associate or Architect-level certifications * Experience mentoring junior engineers * Experience with CI/CD for data pipelines and DevOps tooling * Experience specifically in ERP ...

Sr. Data Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Azure Data Engineer Associate or Architect-level certifications * Experience mentoring junior engineers * Experience with CI/CD for data pipelines and DevOps tooling * Experience specifically in ERP ...

Associate Data Scientist

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$69.40K - $69.90K/yr

You are passionate about maintaining the high scientific and engineering standards required to ... Associate Data Scientist position on our Data Science team in Palo Alto, California. Our ...

... Associate, or Snowflake Core, Snowflake Databricks Data Engineer Associate] is a plus - Designing and implementing thorough data architecture strategies that meet the current and future business ...

Associate Data Scientist

Palo Alto, CA

$69.40K - $69.90K/yr

You are passionate about maintaining the high scientific and engineering standards required to ... Associate Data Scientist position on our Data Science team in Palo Alto, California. Our ...

... Associate, or Snowflake Core, Snowflake Databricks Data Engineer Associate] is a plus - Designing and implementing thorough data architecture strategies that meet the current and future business ...

... Associate, or Snowflake Core, Snowflake Databricks Data Engineer Associate] is a plus - Designing and implementing thorough data architecture strategies that meet the current and future business ...

... Associate, or Snowflake Core, Snowflake Databricks Data Engineer Associate] is a plus - Designing and implementing thorough data architecture strategies that meet the current and future business ...

... Associate, Snowflake Core, Snowflake Architect, Databricks Data Engineer Associate] is a plus - Designing and implementing thorough data architecture strategies - Developing and documenting data ...

... Associate, Snowflake Core, Snowflake Architect, Databricks Data Engineer Associate] is a plus - Designing and implementing thorough data architecture strategies - Developing and documenting data ...

Data Engineer - Senior Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$124K - $280K/yr

... Associate, Snowflake Core, Snowflake Architect, Databricks Data Engineer Associate] is a plus - Designing and implementing thorough data architecture strategies - Developing and documenting data ...

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Associate Data Engineer information

See California salary details

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How much do associate data engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate data engineer in California is $18.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Data Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Data Engineer, you need a solid understanding of data modeling, SQL, Python, and foundational knowledge of database concepts, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with data warehousing tools (like AWS Redshift, Google BigQuery), ETL frameworks, and cloud platforms as well as industry certifications such as AWS Certified Data Analytics is beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you navigate complex data challenges and collaborate with teams. These abilities are crucial for ensuring data systems are reliable, scalable, and aligned with organizational goals.

What are some common challenges an Associate Data Engineer may face when working with large-scale data pipelines?

As an Associate Data Engineer, you may often encounter challenges such as optimizing data pipeline performance, ensuring data quality, and troubleshooting bottlenecks when processing large volumes of data. Working with distributed systems can introduce complex issues like latency and data consistency. Collaborating effectively with data scientists, analysts, and senior engineers is crucial for aligning data infrastructure with evolving project requirements. Regularly learning new tools and best practices will help you adapt to these challenges and grow in your role.

What does an Associate Data Engineer do?

An Associate Data Engineer is responsible for supporting the development, maintenance, and optimization of data pipelines and databases. They work closely with senior data engineers and other IT professionals to ensure data is accessible, reliable, and efficiently processed for analytics and business use. Typical tasks include writing and testing code for data integration, troubleshooting data issues, and implementing data security best practices. This entry-level position is a foundational role that builds technical skills and experience in data engineering.

What is the difference between Associate Data Engineer vs Data Engineer?

AspectAssociate Data EngineerData Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS, Data Science, or related field; basic knowledge of SQL and PythonBachelor's or Master's degree; advanced knowledge of SQL, Python, Spark, and cloud platforms
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-focused, often in tech or finance industriesMid to senior level, designing and maintaining data pipelines in various industries
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, startups, and finance firmsUsed across industries for building scalable data infrastructure
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for career progression and skill requirements

The Associate Data Engineer role is an entry-level position focusing on supporting data infrastructure, while the Data Engineer is a more advanced role responsible for designing and maintaining complex data systems. The roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments but differ in experience level and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Data Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Data Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Data Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Data Engineer job openings:
Associate Data Scientist

$99.82K - $116.66K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


University Of Southern California rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

92nd of 529 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Associate Data Scientist (Institutional Research)

Please submit a resume and cover letter as part of your application.


> Shape Data-Driven Decision Making at USC
Join the University of Southern California's Office of Institutional Research and help power data-informed strategy at a leading research institution. In this role, you will design, build, and deploy analytics solutions that inform university leadership and institutional priorities.
Work with complex datasets, modern data tools, and cross-functional stakeholders in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.


> Key Responsibilities:
Analyze and interpret medium to large datasets to solve data analytic problems in support of institutional decision making
Build, test, and optimize statistical, predictive, and machine learning models
Develop and deploy data pipelines, workflows, and automated processes
Partner with stakeholders to translate business needs into analytical solutions
Perform data cleansing, validation, and transformation to ensure data integrity
Design and evaluate experiments, including A/B testing methodologies
Create reports, dashboards, and presentations to communicate insights clearly
Monitor project timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communications
Maintain technical documentation and support continuous process improvement


> Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field
Experience building and maintaining ETL pipelines and data workflows
Experience with workflow orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow (DAG development)
Experience with machine learning or statistical modeling techniques
Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, D3.js)
Experience working with large-scale or enterprise datasets
Familiarity with Git, version control, and testing frameworks
Experience designing data architecture or automated data system

> Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field (or equivalent experience)
Minimum 2 years of experience in data science, data analytics, or a related field
Proficiency in Python and SQL for data analysis and data manipulation
Experience working with relational and/or non-relational databases (e.g., MySQL, SQL Server, Snowflake, MongoDB)
Experience performing data cleaning, transformation, and validation
Demonstrated ability to analyze datasets and deliver actionable insights
Strong written and verbal communication skills
________________________________________
In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.
________________________________________
Salary and Benefits:
The annual base salary range for this position is $99,823 - $$116,656. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.


To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefits here.
________________________________________
Apply Now
If you're excited to solve complex data challenges and contribute to meaningful institutional impact, we encourage you to apply today. Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered.

#LI-MS1

Job Qualifications
Minimum Education:
-Bachelor's degree
-Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
-2 years
Minimum Field of Expertise:
. Experience using statistical computer languages (e.g., R, Python, SQL) to manipulate data and draw insights from
large data sets.
. Experience scripting and programming in several languages with common data science toolkits.
. Proficient use of query languages (e.g., SQL, MDX) and experience working with relational (e.g., MySQL, SQL Server,
Oracle, Snowflake, Redshift) and non-relational (e.g., Mongo, NoSQL) databases.
. Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills, and the ability to uncover root cause and evaluate different
solution options.
. Experience in data science, analytics, IT, cognitive engineering, or related fields.
. Ability to write high-quality Python code.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email atuschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

  • Notice of Non-discrimination
  • Employment Equity
  • Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report
  • USC is a smoke-free environment
  • Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$146902.htmld

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About University of Southern California

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Southern California (USC) is not a conventional company, but a private research university established in the heart of Los Angeles, CA, US. Founded in 1880, it's one of the oldest private research universities in California. USC operates in the education industry providing primary services of higher education, research, and community development. This prestigious institution offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The University is guided by its commitment to foster creativity, innovation, leadership, and discovery through academic excellence.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles , CA, US

Year founded

1880