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Kafka Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Wells Fargo

Lead Software Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

Architect and implement event-driven data platformsusing Apache Kafka and Pub/Subfor real-time ... Strong experience in data engineering, APIs, and connectivity solutions (SQL, NoSQL, REST, GraphQL ...

Sammons Financial Group

Data Engineer

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$84K/yr

The developer is expected to deeply understand the codebase, architecture, business requirements ... Hands-on experience with Apache Kafka or another event-streaming platform. * Strong database skills ...

Sammons Financial Group

Data Engineer

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$84K/yr

The developer is expected to deeply understand the codebase, architecture, business requirements ... Hands-on experience with Apache Kafka or another event-streaming platform. * Strong database skills ...

John Deere & Company

Senior Software Engineer

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Senior Software Engineer - 120792 Onsite/Remote: Onsite Position Your Responsibilities As a Senior ... Kafka) for analytics and AI enablement * Agile and Lean Delivery Strong understanding of Agile ...

John Deere & Company

Senior Software Engineer

Johnston, IA · On-site

$114K - $151K/yr

Senior Software Engineer - 119841 Onsite/Remote: Onsite Position Your Responsibilities As a Senior ... platforms (Kafka, RabbitMQ), caching strategies, and external/internal service dependencies ...

Randstad Digital

Sr. Data Engineer

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$176K/yr

Integrate Snowflake with enterprise systems and cloud data platforms (e.g., MuleSoft, Kafka, REST APIs). Collaborate with product owner, architects, and developers to translate business and technical ...

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All JobsKafka Engineer JobsKafka Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Kafka Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$36.6K

$95.6K

$129.2K

How much do kafka engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for kafka engineer in Iowa is $95,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,900.00 and $109,400.00 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 are popular job titles related to Kafka Engineer jobs in Iowa?

For Kafka Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Kafka Engineer jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Kafka Engineer jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Kafka Engineer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Kafka Engineer job openings:

Kafka Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kafka Engineer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,572 per year, or $45.9 per hour.

Senior Data Engineer

Professional Project Partners, Inc

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Job Description Senior Data Engineer (Snowflake) | Enterprise Data & Cloud Integration Are you passionate about building modern, scalable data platforms that power enterprise decision-making. We're partnering with a well-established financial services organization to hire an experienced Senior Data Engineer who thrives in designing cloud-based data solutions and enjoys solving complex integration challenges. This is an opportunity to play a key role in transforming enterprise data architecture while working with modern cloud technologies in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.

What You'll Be Doing As a Senior Data Engineer, you'll design, build, and optimize enterprise data solutions that enable secure, reliable, and high-performing data across the organization. You'll partner closely with architects, developers, and business stakeholders to create scalable pipelines and integrations that support critical business initiatives. Key responsibilities include: Design and develop scalable data pipelines and ELT/ETL solutions using Snowflake.

Build and maintain data transformations using dbt, Azure Data Factory (ADF), Azure Data Lake (ADL), or similar technologies. Integrate enterprise systems using technologies such as REST APIs, Kafka, MuleSoft, and cloud-based data platforms. Translate business and technical requirements into scalable data models and engineering solutions.

Implement best practices around data quality, governance, security, and performance. Monitor and optimize data pipelines for reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency. Research and recommend emerging technologies that improve enterprise data capabilities.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact data solutions. What We're Looking For We're seeking a hands-on engineer who enjoys building modern cloud data platforms while also thinking strategically about architecture and long-term scalability. Qualifications include: 8+ years of experience in software or data engineering.

Strong expertise with Snowflake, SQL, and dbt. Experience building enterprise data pipelines and ELT/ETL solutions. Experience with Azure technologies such as ADF and Azure Data Lake, or comparable cloud platforms.

Experience integrating enterprise systems through APIs, Kafka, MuleSoft, or similar technologies. Strong understanding of data modeling, data governance, and performance optimization. Excellent communication and collaboration skills with both technical and business stakeholders.

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field preferred. Preferred Qualifications Snowflake certifications. Experience within the Financial Services or Life Insurance industry.

Why This Opportunity. Work on large-scale enterprise data initiatives. Modern cloud technologies and architecture.

High-impact role with visibility across the organization. Collaborative team that values innovation and continuous improvement. Opportunity to influence technical direction while remaining hands-on.

If you're looking for your next opportunity to build scalable cloud data solutions and make a meaningful impact within a stable, technology-focused organization, we'd love to hear from you.

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