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Kafka Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kafka Engineer Location: Minneapolis, MN Job Type: Contract (Long Term) Experience: 8+ years Job Overview We are looking for an experienced Kafka Engineer to join our team in Minneapolis, MN. The ...

Kafka Engineer

Dallas, TX · Remote

$57 - $75.50/hr

Kafka Developer / Engineer (Kafka + MongoDB) Location: Remote Duration: Long term contract Type: Only W2 (No C2C/1099) Job Summary: We are looking for a Kafka Developer / Engineer with strong ...

Kafka Engineer Location: Minneapolis, MN Job Type: Contract (Long Term) Experience: 8+ years Job Overview We are looking for an experienced Kafka Engineer to join our team in Minneapolis, MN. The ...

Lead Kafka Developer Location: Pittsburgh PA or Dallas TX or Cleveland OH Contract: W2 only, 12 month contract with potential for extension or conversion to full time with either the client or CEI ...

Lead Kafka Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$73/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Lead Kafka Developer Location: Pittsburgh PA or Dallas TX or Cleveland OH Contract: W2 only, 12 month contract with potential for extension or conversion to full time with either the client or CEI ...

Kafka Engineer/ Admin Location: NYC NY Onsite JOB SUMMARY Kafka Engineer/ Admin NYC, NY, required F2F based canddiate. Job Summary: The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing, deploying ...

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Kafka Engineer

Woodlawn, MD · On-site +1

$143K - $197K/yr

Summary IT Specialist (APPSW) Kafka Engineer positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under ...

Kafka Engineer Location: Remote (USA) JD: Required skills: this person MUST have great knowledge of Redpanda. -Must know how to use Jira -Must know how to use Git and Bitbucket -Must know Agile SDLC ...

Java Kafka Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$50.50 - $69.25/hr

REQUIREMENT_CITY - Charlotte, NC REQUIREMENT_ID- 10876850 Role Name - Java Kafka Engineer Key Responsibilities Application Development & Architecture • Design and develop enterprise-grade full ...

Senior Kafka Engineer - Remote

$107K - $146K/yr

The Dignify Solutions, LLC is seeking a Senior Kafka Engineer to work remotely. The role involves leveraging extensive experience with Apache Kafka and cloud platforms to design and implement event ...

Lead Kafka Engineer

Saint Petersburg, FL · Hybrid

$96K - $127K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proficiency in Linux Virtual Machines for supporting Kafka Connect * Some experience in programming languages such as Java or Python. * Some experience with Spark Streaming and Apache Flink is a ...

Lead Kafka Engineer

Saint Petersburg, FL · On-site

$96K - $127K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proficiency in Linux Virtual Machines for supporting Kafka Connect * Some experience in programming languages such as Java or Python. * Some experience with Spark Streaming and Apache Flink is a ...

Lead Kafka Engineer

Southfield, MI · Hybrid

$94K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Proficiency in Linux Virtual Machines for supporting Kafka Connect * Some experience in programming languages such as Java or Python. * Some experience with Spark Streaming and Apache Flink is a ...

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Kafka Engineer information

See salary details

$39K

$101.8K

$137.5K

How much do kafka engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for kafka engineer in the United States is $101,752.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Kafka engineer typically collaborate with development and operations teams?

Kafka Engineers play a key role in bridging the gap between development and operations teams. They work closely with developers to design and implement event-driven architectures using Kafka, ensuring data flows reliably between services. Simultaneously, they partner with operations teams to deploy, monitor, and maintain Kafka clusters, addressing issues like scalability, fault tolerance, and security. Effective communication and a strong understanding of both software development and infrastructure are essential for success in this collaborative environment.

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

To thrive as a Kafka Engineer, you need a strong understanding of distributed systems, proficiency in Apache Kafka, and experience with programming languages like Java or Python, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as Kafka Connect, Kafka Streams, monitoring systems (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana), and relevant certifications like Confluent Certified Developer for Apache Kafka are typically required. Problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure reliable data pipelines, seamless integration, and efficient troubleshooting in mission-critical, real-time data environments.

What does a Kafka engineer do?

A Kafka Engineer specializes in designing, building, and maintaining distributed data streaming systems using Apache Kafka. They are responsible for configuring Kafka clusters, ensuring data reliability and scalability, and integrating Kafka with other systems. Kafka Engineers also monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and optimize data pipelines to support real-time data processing needs. Their work is essential for organizations that rely on high-throughput, low-latency data streaming for applications such as analytics, event sourcing, and microservices architectures.

What is the difference between Kafka Engineer vs Data Engineer?

AspectKafka EngineerData Engineer
Required CredentialsCertifications in Kafka, cloud platforms, programming languagesCertifications in data tools, cloud, SQL, programming
Work EnvironmentFocus on Kafka setup, streaming data, real-time processingBroader data pipeline, storage, and processing tasks
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, data-driven organizations using KafkaVarious industries managing large data systems
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for specialization in streaming dataBroader role encompassing multiple data technologies

The Kafka Engineer specializes in designing, implementing, and maintaining Kafka-based streaming data systems, focusing on real-time data processing. In contrast, Data Engineers work on building comprehensive data pipelines, integrating various data sources, and managing storage solutions. While Kafka Engineers focus on Kafka-specific tasks, Data Engineers handle a wider range of data tools and platforms, making their roles complementary but distinct in data infrastructure teams.

How much do Kafka engineers make?

Kafka engineers in the US typically earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in distributed systems and real-time data processing can command higher salaries. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses and stock options.
More about Kafka Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Kafka Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Kafka Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Kafka Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Kafka Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Kafka Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,752 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Kafka Engineer

InfiCare

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Title: Kafka Engineer

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Job Type: Contract (Long Term)

Experience: 8+ years

Job Overview  

We are looking for an experienced Kafka Engineer to join our team in Minneapolis, MN. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in infrastructure analysis with hands-on expertise in Apache Kafka administration and cloud platform services.

Key Responsibilities  
  • Provision and manage Kafka services and Kafka clusters in production environments
  • Handle Kafka client authentication and cluster security
  • Deploy Search and Reporting Services
  • Provision AWS OpenSearch services
  • Support Pega EKS containerization initiatives
  • Monitor Apache, web, and database servers
  • Monitor and maintain application performance
Required Skills  
  • Apache Kafka — Service Provisioning, Cluster Management, Client Authentication
  • AWS and Azure Cloud concepts
  • AWS OpenSearch Service
  • Pega EKS and containerization
  • Server monitoring — Apache, Web, and DB
  • Application performance monitoring
Preferred Skills  
  • Prior experience in infrastructure analyst roles
  • Familiarity with cloud-native deployment patterns
Location & Work Model  

Minneapolis, MN — please confirm work model preference upon application.

Engagement Details  

Long-term contract engagement. Immediate start preferred.