1

Kafka Engineer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Lead Kafka Engineer

Saint Petersburg, FL · Hybrid

$96K - $127K/yr

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 ...

Kafka Solutions Architect

Tampa, FL · On-site

$59.50 - $78.50/hr

RIT Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Kafka Solutions Architect to join their team. The role requires ... more programming languages (C#) • One or more databases (SQL, Oracle) • .NET Core • ...

.Net Developer

Lake Mary, FL · On-site

$42.25 - $55.75/hr

NET, C#, MVC, REST APIs, SQL Server, JavaScript, jQuery, CSS, HTML, Azure, Docker, Kafka, DevOps Description: Lead Developer provides application software development services or technical support in ...

RabbitMQ, Kafka and/or similar technology * 1+ years of experience with Kafka Connect * Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of ...

Gain exposure to an array of technologies such as Kafka, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker etc * Optimise ... You know at least one programming language in depth * You have at least one year of experience in ...

AWS Data Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$108K - $129K/yr

Data Engineer Location:Tampa ,FL Our team's line of questioning would be testing candidate ... It could be any from Hadoop, Kafka, Cassandra, Hana, Postgres, Redis. If the candidate hasn't done ...

Skill Elastic Search, Ruby, Javascript, Backbone, MySQL, and Java, Go, Apache Spark, Kafka Location ... You're familiar with engineering processes and can mitigate roadblocks Leadership experience - You ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Kafka Engineer information

See Florida salary details

$29.1K

$76K

$102.8K

How much do kafka engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for kafka engineer in Florida is $76,039.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,800.00 and $87,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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.

What cities in Florida are hiring for Kafka Engineer jobs?

Cities in Florida with the most Kafka Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Kafka Engineer job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,039 per year, or $36.6 per hour.

Lead Kafka Engineer

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Saint Petersburg, FL • On-site

$96K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Job Description Summary
Develops and implements specialized code supporting the interfaces between an organization's business application systems and a data warehouse.
Job Description
This position follows our hybrid workstyle policy: Expected to be in a Raymond James office location a minimum of 10-12 days a month.
Please note: This role is not eligible for Work Visa sponsorship, either currently or in the future.
Responsibilities:
  • Proven experience working with Confluent Kafka and Apache Kafka.
  • Strong understanding of Kafka architecture, components, and tuning.
  • Experience with Confluent Schema Registry.
  • Proficiency in Terraform for infrastructure as code (IaC) on AWS.
  • Experience with AWS services such as EC2, S3, RDS, and Lambda.
  • 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 desirable skill.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.
  • Familiar with SRE concepts which includes evaluating and implementing monitoring and observability tools like Splunk, Data Dog, Dynatrace, CloudWatch and other job, log or dashboard concepts for customer support and application health checks.
  • 10 years of relevant development or engineering experience or combination of education, training and experience.
  • Financial Services Industry knowledge is a plus.

Education
Bachelor's (Required)
Work Experience
General Experience - 6 to 10 years
Certifications
Travel
Less than 25%
Workstyle
Hybrid
The total compensation for this position includes base salary or wages, and may include components such as additional compensation (cash or equity), discretionary bonuses, or commissions. This position is eligible for a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision; life insurance; critical illness insurance and accident insurance; disability benefits; retirement savings; paid time off (including vacation, holidays, and sick leave); and parental leave. Eligibility for benefits and specific offerings may vary based on position and employment status. To view more details of the benefits offered, visit Myrjbenefits.com.
At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view.
We expect our associates at all levels to:
• Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
• Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
• Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
• Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
• Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm
At Raymond James - as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates. When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients, and communities thrive. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.
#LI-SA1