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Founding Data Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Kpler

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Houston, TX · On-site

Since our founding in 2014, we have focused on delivering top-tier intelligence through user ... Experience hiring in niche markets - commodities, energy, data, engineering, analytics, etc. We are ...

Kpler

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Houston, TX · On-site

Since our founding in 2014, we have focused on delivering top-tier intelligence through user ... Experience hiring in niche markets -- commodities, energy, data, engineering, analytics, etc. We ...

Specialty1 Partners

IT Server Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

... Data Center infrastructure and virtualization technologies * Expert working knowledge of ... Since founding, Specialty1 Partners has grown rapidly to become one of the largest private owners ...

Persona AI

Head of Product

Houston, TX · On-site

$222K - $233K/yr

Persona AI founding team has a decades-long history in humanoid robotics, bionics, and product ... Partner with engineering, design, and data teams to translate vision into shipped products * Lead ...

Persona AI, Inc.

Head of Product

Houston, TX · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Persona AI founding team has a decades-long history in humanoid robotics, bionics, and product ... Partner with engineering, design, and data teams to translate vision into shipped products * Lead ...

Intersect

Gas Power Projects Leader

Houston, TX · On-site

Intersect develops, constructs, and operates the most ambitious power and data center ... Location & Team Gatherings Intersect has been a fully flexible workplace since its founding in 2016.

Intersect

Gas Power Projects Leader

Houston, TX · Remote

Intersect develops, constructs, and operates the most ambitious power and data center ... Location & Team Gatherings Intersect has been a fully flexible workplace since its founding in 2016.

Bolo AI

Strategic Account Executive

Houston, TX

You will work directly with the founder and founding team, shaping both the deals we pursue and the ... data, then presenting it to a room of engineers and executive sponsors * Working the floor at an ...

Bolo AI

Strategic Account Executive

Houston, TX · On-site

You will work directly with the founder and founding team, shaping both the deals we pursue and the ... data, then presenting it to a room of engineers and executive sponsors * Working the floor at an ...

Calpine

Senior Transmission Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

$84K - $111K/yr

Since its founding in 1984, Calpine has led the power industry in its unwavering commitment to ... Engineering with power systems as focus, mathematics, applied statistics, computer science or data ...

Signal Energy

HR Generalist

Houston, TX

Since its founding in 2005, the company has built a reputation for de-risking project delivery and ... for developers, utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), and data center operators across ...

Calpine

Senior Transmission Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

$84K - $111K/yr

Since its founding in 1984, Calpine has led the power industry in its unwavering commitment to ... Engineering with power systems as focus, mathematics, applied statistics, computer science or data ...

Signal Energy

HR Generalist

Houston, TX · On-site

Since its founding in 2005, the company has built a reputation for de-risking project delivery and ... for developers, utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), and data center operators across ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsFounding Data Engineer JobsFounding Data Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Founding Data Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$42.5K

$123.9K

$169.5K

How much do founding data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for founding data engineer in Houston, TX is $123,876.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,300.00 and $131,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the unique challenges and opportunities of being a founding data engineer at an early-stage startup?

As a Founding Data Engineer, you'll face the challenge of building data infrastructure from scratch, often with limited resources and evolving requirements. You’ll work closely with founders and cross-functional teams to define data strategies, implement pipelines, and ensure data quality. This role offers significant influence over technical decisions and architecture, and you'll likely wear multiple hats, contributing to both backend engineering and data analytics. The fast-paced environment fosters rapid skill development and provides substantial opportunities for career growth as the company scales.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a founding data engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Founding Data Engineer, you need strong expertise in data architecture, database design, and software engineering, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with cloud platforms (like AWS or GCP), ETL frameworks, programming languages (such as Python or Scala), and data warehousing tools is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration skills set standout candidates apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for building scalable data systems and shaping the technical foundation of an early-stage company.

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

AspectFounding Data EngineerData Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS, experience in startup environmentsBachelor's or higher in CS, relevant data tools experience
Work EnvironmentEarly-stage startups, high flexibility, broad responsibilitiesEstablished companies, specialized roles, structured teams
Employer & Industry UsageFounding teams, startups, tech companiesTech firms, finance, healthcare, large organizations
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding startup data roles, early-stage responsibilitiesStandard data engineering roles, career progression

The main difference between a Founding Data Engineer and a Data Engineer lies in their work environment and responsibilities. Founding Data Engineers typically work in startups, handling broad tasks and building data infrastructure from scratch, while Data Engineers in established companies focus on specific data pipelines within structured teams. Both roles require similar technical skills and educational backgrounds, but their scope and context differ significantly.

What is a founding data engineer?

Founding Data Engineers are among the first technical hires at a startup, responsible for designing, building, and scaling the company's data infrastructure from the ground up. They work closely with founders and early team members to define data architecture, set up data pipelines, and ensure data quality and accessibility for product development and business insights. This role often requires a blend of software engineering, data modeling, and strategic decision-making skills, as well as the flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing priorities in a startup environment.

What are popular job titles related to Founding Data Engineer jobs in Houston, TX?

For Founding Data Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Founding Data Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Founding Data Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Founding Data Engineer jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Founding Data Engineer job openings:

Founding Data Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Founding Data Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,876 per year, or $59.6 per hour.

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Kpler

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

At Kpler, we are dedicated to helping our clients navigate complex markets with ease. By simplifying global trade information and providing valuable insights, we empower organisations to make informed decisions in commodities, energy, and maritime sectors.
 
Since our founding in 2014, we have focused on delivering top-tier intelligence through user-friendly platforms. Our team of over 850 experts from 69 countries works tirelessly to transform intricate data into actionable strategies, ensuring our clients stay ahead in a dynamic market landscape. Join us to leverage cutting-edge innovation for impactful results and experience unparalleled support on your journey to success.
 

We're looking for a proactive, driven and highly organised Talent Acquisition Specialist to support and scale our global hiring efforts across Kpler. You'll manage full-cycle recruitment, partner closely with hiring managers, build strong talent pipelines, and contribute to a world-class candidate experience across multiple regions and functions. This is a unique opportunity to shape how we attract, assess, and hire the talent that powers Kpler's growth.
Your mission at Kpler
  • Manage end-to-end recruitment across a wide variety of roles and functions (Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations, and more).
  • Build strong pipelines through proactive sourcing, market mapping, and Boolean search.
  • Conduct structured screening and competency-based interviews.
  • Own job description drafting and calibration with hiring teams.
  • Act as a key partner to hiring managers: advising, challenging, training, and supporting them throughout the hiring process.
  • Drive continuous improvements across our hiring processes, workflows, and operational excellence.
  • Use recruitment data and insights to influence decisions, identify bottlenecks, and propose solutions.
  • Support employer branding initiatives and help craft compelling candidate-facing content.
  • Build and maintain long-term talent pools for critical and niche  roles.
  • Collaborate with the broader People team to ensure consistent, top-tier candidate experience across all regions.
Role requirements
  • 5+ years of experience in Talent Acquisition, ideally in scale-ups, SaaS, or fast-paced tech environments.
  • Proven track record managing full-cycle recruitment across various functions and seniority levels.
  • Strong expertise in sourcing techniques, Boolean strings, market insights, and proactive talent engagement.
  • Comfortable working in complex, scaling, and global environments.
  • Proven experience partnering with hiring managers and influencing stakeholders.
  • Data-driven mindset with the ability to interpret metrics and optimize accordingly.
  • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  • Bias for action, autonomy, and a high sense of urgency.
Nice to have
  • Experience hiring across multiple regions (EMEA, Americas, APAC).
  • Experience scaling recruitment from scratch or working through hyper-growth phases.
  • Employer branding experience (content, campaigns, social presence).
  • Experience hiring in niche markets - commodities, energy, data, engineering, analytics, etc.
We are a dynamic company dedicated to nurturing connections and innovating solutions to tackle market challenges head-on. If you thrive on customer satisfaction and turning ideas into reality, then you've found your ideal destination. Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey with us?
 
We make things happen
We act decisively and with purpose, going the extra mile.
 
We buildtogether
We foster relationships and develop creative solutions to address market challenges.
 
We are here to help
We are accessible and supportive to colleagues and clients with a friendly approach.
 
 
Our People Pledge
 
Don't meet every single requirement? Research shows that women and people of color are less likely than others to apply if they feel like they don't match 100% of the job requirements. Don't let the confidence gap stand in your way, we'd love to hear from you! We understand that experience comes in many different forms and are dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team.
 
Kpler is committed to providing a fair, inclusive and diverse work-environment. We believe that different perspectives lead to better ideas, and better ideas allow us to better understand the needs and interests of our diverse, global community. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives and are an equal opportunity employer.
 
 
 
By applying, I confirm that I have read and accept the Staff Privacy Notice
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