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Data Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Senior Data Software Engineer

NC · On-site +1

$123K - $162K/yr

About the Role At NinjaOne, we're looking for a skilled Senior Data Engineer to join our team and help drive the future of our data infrastructure. You'll play a critical role in building ...

Data Lakehouse Architect

Middletown, RI · On-site

$63.50 - $81.50/hr

The architect will partner with engineering, platform,analytics, security, and business teams to establish architectural standards,guide implementation, and enable high-quality data products across ...

Data Lakehouse Architect

Middletown, RI

$63.50 - $81.50/hr

The architect will partner with engineering, platform,analytics, security, and business teams to establish architectural standards,guide implementation, and enable high-quality data products across ...

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Showing results 1-20

Data Engineer information

See Rhode Island salary details

$43.6K

$127K

$173.8K

How much do data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer in Rhode Island is $127,033.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,100.00 and $134,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Data Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectData EngineerData Scientist
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructureAnalyzing data to extract insights and create models
SkillsSQL, ETL, programming (Python, Java), database managementStatistics, machine learning, data analysis, programming (Python, R)
Work EnvironmentData warehouses, cloud platforms, backend systemsData analysis environments, research labs, visualization tools
Common ToolsApache Spark, Hadoop, Airflow, SQLJupyter, RStudio, Tableau, scikit-learn

Data Engineers focus on creating and maintaining the infrastructure that allows data to be collected, stored, and processed efficiently. Data Scientists analyze this data to generate insights, build predictive models, and support decision-making. While their skills overlap, Data Engineers are more involved in data pipeline development, whereas Data Scientists focus on data analysis and modeling.

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

To thrive as a Data Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, data modeling, and programming languages such as Python or Java, often coupled with a relevant degree. Familiarity with ETL tools, big data frameworks (like Hadoop or Spark), and cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure) is typically required, along with certifications like AWS Certified Data Analytics. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set exceptional data engineers apart. These skills and qualities are essential for building robust data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and supporting data-driven decision-making across organizations.

Are data engineers highly paid?

Data engineers are generally well-paid due to their specialized skills in designing and maintaining data infrastructure, with salaries often higher than many other IT roles. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry, but strong technical skills in programming, databases, and cloud platforms typically lead to higher earnings.

What Does a Data Engineer Do?

The job duties of a data engineer involve helping with the development of systems, software, and infrastructure used to process, store and analyze data. Your responsibilities in this career include working to install data management software. Your employer may expect you to perform maintenance and install updates to all software and systems that they use for data acquisition, management, and analysis. Data engineers also analyze existing data systems to find ways to improve efficiency and accessibility. You then suggest upgrades or changes based on your assessment.

What are Data Engineers?

Data Engineers are IT professionals who design, construct, install, and maintain large-scale processing systems and other infrastructure for collecting, storing, and analyzing data. They build and optimize data pipelines and architectures that allow organizations to efficiently access and use data for business insights. Data Engineers work closely with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure that data is reliable, accessible, and secure. Their responsibilities often include working with databases, cloud platforms, and big data tools.

How do Data Engineers typically collaborate with Data Scientists and Analysts within an organization?

Data Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that Data Scientists and Analysts have reliable, well-structured data for their projects. This collaboration often involves building and maintaining data pipelines, optimizing data storage solutions, and troubleshooting data quality issues. Regular communication and agile teamwork are common, with Data Engineers frequently participating in meetings to understand analytical requirements and adjust data processes accordingly. By working closely together, these teams can quickly iterate on data models and deliver actionable insights to drive business decisions.

What does a data engineer actually do?

A data engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure and pipelines that enable organizations to collect, store, and process large volumes of data. They work with tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms to ensure data is accessible, reliable, and ready for analysis by data scientists and analysts.

Is a data engineer entry level?

Data engineering is typically an intermediate to senior role that requires experience with programming, databases, and data pipeline tools. Entry-level data engineering positions may be available for candidates with relevant internships or strong foundational skills in SQL, Python, or cloud platforms, but most roles expect some prior experience. Certifications or coursework in data management can also be beneficial for those starting out.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior data engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in big data tools, and leadership roles can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or large tech companies. Such compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires years of expertise and a strong track record in data architecture and engineering.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer jobs in Rhode Island? The most popular types of Data Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer jobs in Rhode Island? For Data Engineer jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Engineer jobs in Rhode Island look for? The top searched job categories for Data Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are:
What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Data Engineer jobs? Cities in Rhode Island with the most Data Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer jobs in RI? For Data Engineer jobs in RI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Data Engineer job openings in Rhode Island as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,033 per year, or $61.1 per hour.
Senior Data Engineer - Enterprise Data Frameworks (Java Spark Focus)

Senior Data Engineer - Enterprise Data Frameworks (Java Spark Focus)

Citizens

Johnston, RI • On-site, Remote

$105K - $158K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Description

Senior Java Data Engineer
Enterprise Data Frameworks

Role Summary

The Enterprise Data Frameworks team is seeking a Senior Java focused software engineer who builds and maintains large scale data processing systems using Java, Apache Spark, and Kafka. This role is intended for experienced backend engineers with strong core Java fundamentals who apply traditional software engineering practices to data intensive platforms and distributed systems.

The ideal candidate has hands on experience developing production grade Java applications using modern frameworks and IntelliJ based development workflows, paired with practical experience building Spark based processing pipelines and Kafka driven data ingestion services. In this role, you will contribute to the core components of enterprise data frameworks, working closely with senior engineers and architects while remaining deeply involved in design and implementation.

This role requires strong Java engineering skills, the ability to debug and optimize complex Spark applications, and comfort operating in regulated environments where stability, data quality, and reliability are critical.


Key Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain Java based data processing pipelines using Apache Spark for batch and streaming workloads
Develop and support Java based backend services and APIs that orchestrate data workflows and framework components
Apply solid object oriented design principles to distributed data processing systems
Optimize Spark applications for performance, reliability, and cost efficiency across cloud and on premises environments
Collaborate with architects and senior engineers on technical design and framework evolution
Partner with frontend and platform teams to integrate backend data services where applicable
Translate business and technical requirements into scalable, well structured engineering solutions
Participate in code reviews, contribute to shared standards, and mentor junior engineers
Ensure solutions align with data governance, security, and change management standards
Participate in Agile ceremonies and support continuous improvement of engineering practices


Required Skills and Experience

7+ years of experience as a software engineer or data engineer with strong emphasis on Java backend development
Strong hands on proficiency in Java, including object oriented design, debugging, and performance optimization
Experience building Spark applications in Java for large scale data ingestion and transformation
Practical experience with Apache Kafka and event driven data architectures
Experience developing Java based services using frameworks such as Spring Boot
Solid understanding of distributed systems concepts and data processing architectures
Familiarity with data lake technologies, columnar storage formats such as Parquet or Iceberg, and metadata driven frameworks
Experience using Git based workflows, CI CD pipelines, and modern development practices
Exposure to cloud environments, with preference for AWS based data platforms such as S3, EMR, Lambda, or API Gateway
Experience working in regulated or enterprise environments with strong data governance requirements


Preferred Experience

Experience collaborating with UI or platform teams to integrate backend data services
Experience with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker or Kubernetes
Exposure to additional JVM or scripting languages such as Scala or Python in a data context
Experience with developer productivity or automation tooling


Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field


Work Details

Hours per Week 40
Location Hybrid, 4 days on site from a Citizens corporate office, 1 day remote
Schedule Monday through Friday

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $105,000-158,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.  

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens' paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of very local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits.

#LI-Citizens1

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague's or a dependent's reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Education:Why Work for UsEmployment Type: 1ST