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Kafka Developer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Java Kafka Developer (Hybrid)

Ashburn, VA · Hybrid

$52.25 - $67.50/hr

Java Kafka Developer - Full-Time Ashburn, VA (Hybrid - 1 to 2 days onsite / 3 to 4 days remote) Must be a U.S. Citizen and currently reside in the Metro Washington, D.C. area We have an immediate ...

Kafka Architect

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$68.25 - $87.75/hr

Collaborate with business stakeholders, solution architects, and engineering teams to translate business requirements into scalable and resilient Kafka architectures. * Oversee the setup ...

Data Integration Software Developer

Reston, VA · On-site

$52.25 - $69.50/hr

They are seeking a Data Integration Software Developer to develop and implement integration ... Develop Kafka system integrations between Elasticsearch/Logstash and other systems. • Develop ...

Responsibilities include consuming and publishing Kafka events, troubleshooting integration issues ... The developer will collaborate with technical teams to onboard new partner agencies, implement API ...

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Kafka Developer information

See Washington salary details

$19

$59

$96

How much do kafka developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for kafka developer in Washington is $59.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.93 and $68.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What typical challenges might I face as a Kafka developer, and how is support structured within a team?

As a Kafka Developer, you’ll often face challenges related to ensuring data reliability, managing high-throughput event streams, and troubleshooting issues in distributed environments. Support is usually provided through collaborative team structures, where developers, DevOps engineers, and data engineers work closely to identify and resolve bottlenecks or performance issues. Regular code reviews, knowledge-sharing sessions, and access to system monitoring tools help address technical hurdles. You can expect a supportive environment where collaboration and proactive problem-solving are encouraged to ensure smooth data flow and system stability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Kafka developer?

To thrive as a Kafka Developer, you need a solid understanding of distributed systems, event-driven architecture, and strong proficiency in programming languages like Java or Scala. Familiarity with Kafka tools (such as Kafka Streams, Connect, and Zookeeper), cloud platforms, and Apache ecosystem certifications is highly valued. Problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies are essential for building reliable data pipelines, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and maintaining high-throughput message systems in a production environment.

Is Kafka difficult to learn?

Kafka developers need to understand distributed systems, messaging concepts, and Kafka's architecture, which can involve a learning curve for beginners. Familiarity with programming languages like Java or Python and experience with data streaming tools can facilitate learning Kafka. Overall, with dedicated study and practical experience, many find Kafka manageable to learn over time.

What does a Kafka developer do?

A Kafka developer designs, develops, and maintains applications that utilize Apache Kafka for real-time data streaming and processing. They configure Kafka clusters, write producer and consumer code, and ensure data reliability and scalability, often working with related tools like Kafka Connect and Kafka Streams. Strong programming skills and knowledge of distributed systems are essential for this role.

What is a Kafka developer?

A Kafka Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining real-time data streaming applications using Apache Kafka. They work on building data pipelines, integrating Kafka with various systems, and optimizing event-driven architectures. Their role involves writing producers and consumers, handling message serialization, and ensuring efficient data processing. Kafka Developers also focus on fault tolerance, scalability, and security to support high-throughput data applications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Kafka Developer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Kafka Developer jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Kafka Developer jobs in Washington? For Kafka Developer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Kafka Developer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Kafka Developer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Kafka Developer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Kafka Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Kafka Developer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,008 per year, or $59.6 per hour.