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Data Systems Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cubic Corporation

Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$70K - $118K/yr

Conduct laboratory and field testing of RF equipment, analyzing data and generating detailed ... Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering (e.g., Telecommunications ...

Blue Star Families

Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Conduct laboratory and field testing of RF equipment, analyzing data and generating detailed ... Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering (e.g., Telecommunications ...

Cubic Corporation

Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Conduct laboratory and field testing of RF equipment, analyzing data and generating detailed ... Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering (e.g., Telecommunications ...

Blue Star Families

Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$70K - $118K/yr

Conduct laboratory and field testing of RF equipment, analyzing data and generating detailed ... Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering (e.g., Telecommunications ...

Anduril Industries

Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA

We need systems engineers who are capable of internalizing the nuances of each deployment and ... Familiarity with Tactical Data Links (TDL), Link 16, including design, integration, and test

Programmers.io

Data Platform Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

Data lakes Data warehouses Snowflake, Redshift Data Engineering & Quality Understanding of: Data ... Manufacturing & Operations Data Systems Knowledge of: Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Test ...

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All JobsData Systems Engineer JobsData Systems Engineer Jobs in California

Data Systems Engineer information

See California salary details

$52.8K

$125.5K

$164.8K

How much do data systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for data systems engineer in California is $125,549.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,700.00 and $154,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Data Systems Engineers face when integrating new data sources?

Data Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring data compatibility across diverse formats, maintaining data integrity during migration, and managing system performance while integrating new sources. Collaborating closely with data analysts, software developers, and database administrators is key to anticipating and addressing these issues. Successful integration frequently requires thorough testing, robust error handling, and establishing clear data governance protocols to prevent inconsistencies or data loss.

What are Data Systems Engineers?

Data Systems Engineers are professionals who design, build, and maintain the infrastructure and systems that manage and process large volumes of data within an organization. They ensure data flows efficiently between databases, applications, and users, often working with technologies such as databases, data warehouses, and cloud platforms. Their responsibilities include optimizing data pipelines, ensuring data security, and supporting analytics and business intelligence initiatives. Data Systems Engineers collaborate closely with data scientists, software engineers, and IT teams to create reliable, scalable, and secure data environments.

What does a data systems engineer do?

A data systems engineer designs, develops, and maintains the infrastructure for storing, processing, and analyzing large data sets. They work with database systems, data pipelines, and cloud platforms, often using tools like SQL, Python, and Hadoop to ensure data availability, security, and performance. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of data architecture are essential for this role.

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

To excel as a Data Systems Engineer, you need strong skills in data architecture, database management, and programming, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like SQL, Python, Hadoop, and cloud platforms, as well as certifications such as AWS Certified Data Analytics or Google Professional Data Engineer, is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, collaboration, and analytical thinking help you design robust, scalable data solutions and communicate effectively with stakeholders. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring data integrity, optimizing system performance, and supporting organizational decision-making.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior data systems engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in database management, cloud platforms, and programming can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Achieving this level often requires specialized certifications, leadership roles, and a strong track record of project success.

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

AspectData Systems EngineerData Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in CS, certifications like AWS, AzureBachelor's in CS, certifications like AWS, Azure
Work EnvironmentDesigning and maintaining data infrastructure, systems integrationBuilding data pipelines, ETL processes, data storage solutions
Industry UsageIT, tech companies, large enterprisesTech, finance, healthcare, any data-driven industry

Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications, often working in data infrastructure environments. Data Systems Engineers focus on designing and maintaining data systems, while Data Engineers primarily build and optimize data pipelines. The roles are complementary and often overlap in organizations managing complex data architectures.

Is AI replacing data engineers?

AI is automating certain tasks within data engineering, such as data cleaning and pipeline management, but it does not replace the need for data engineers. Data engineers are essential for designing, building, and maintaining complex data systems, and their expertise in tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms remains critical for managing data workflows and ensuring data quality.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior data systems engineers, especially those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in cloud platforms, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often associated with roles in large organizations, specialized skills, and leadership responsibilities.
What are popular job titles related to Data Systems Engineer jobs in California? For Data Systems Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Systems Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Systems Engineer jobs in California are:
Data Systems Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Systems Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $125,549 per year, or $60.4 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems

Clera

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

About the Role

Join a startup building an agentic data lakehouse platform. As a Senior Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems, you'll work on a greenfield project to build scalable data infrastructure that transforms enterprise data into actionable insights at scale.

What You'll Do

  • Work on a greenfield OLAP lakehouse project to build the data platform for the agentic era

  • Design and implement distributed data system components, with a focus on join optimization and query performance

  • Collaborate across infrastructure, services, and frontend teams to deliver data platform features

  • Ship reliable, scalable data infrastructure that supports enterprise analytics

What We're Looking For

  • 4+ years of experience as a data systems, backend, infrastructure, or platform engineer

  • Experience with big data systems (Apache Spark, Hadoop)

  • Strong background in distributed systems

  • Comfort diving into any part of the system—infrastructure, services, or frontend

  • Proficiency in Haskell and/or TypeScript

  • Track record of shipping products from zero to one

  • Experience with databases and database optimization

  • Strong data focus and understanding of data-driven systems

  • Experience with OLAP lakehouse/data lakehouse architecture and query optimization

  • Strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, and their real-world applications

Location

New York, NY, United States