ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Kafka Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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 Sep 12, 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.

Software Engineer 4 - Binod

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Motion Recruitment Partners, LLC
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Motion Recruitment Partners, LLCexternal

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, code, test, debug, and document features and bug fixes using Java and Spring Boot.

  • Build and consume RESTful APIs supporting microservices and transaction workflows.

  • Contribute to frontend or UI tasks using Angular or React when opportunities arise.

Job description

Outstanding long-term contract opportunity! A well-known Financial Services Company is looking for a Java Engineer with Gen AI experience in Charlotte NC or , W Des Moines IA (Hybrid). W2 only
Work with the brightest minds at one of the largest financial institutions in the world. This is a long-term contract opportunity that includes a competitive benefit package! Our client has been around for over 150 years and is continuously innovating in today's digital age. If you want to work for a company that is not only a household name, but also truly cares about satisfying customers' financial needs and helping people succeed financially, apply today.
Contract Duration: 12 Months +
You will have opportunities to learn event driven architecture concepts (Kafka/PubSub), contribute to UI enhancements using Angular or React, and participate in cloud aligned development as applications evolve within Consumer Lending's technology ecosystem.
This role is ideal for developers with strong curiosity, a willingness to challenge themselves to solve real business/technical problems, and a passion for building real production grade solutions that support critical Home Lending workflows.
In this role, you will:
Provide information to technology colleagues, internal partners, and stakeholders
Design, code, test, debug, and document features and bug fixes using Java and Spring Boot
Build and consume RESTful APIs supporting microservices and transaction workflows
Learn and apply engineering standards, secure SDLC practices, and API design best practices
Apply database skills (SQL/NoSQL) to write queries, validate data flows, troubleshoot data issues, and support application logic.
Use AI assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot to accelerate coding, generate test cases, and explore solution alternatives.
Build Agents using Gen AI and Agentic AI technologies
Collaborate with other engineers and cross functional partners in Home Lending Technology to support delivery goals and solution design.
Gain exposure to event driven architecture concepts (Kafka, Pub Sub) and learn how messaging patterns support distributed systems.
Contribute to frontend or UI tasks using Angular or React when opportunities arise, helping develop or update internal user interfaces.
Participate in Agile ceremonies, including standups, retros, sprint planning, and code reviews, while incorporating feedback from mentors.
Learn cloud ready development concepts for Java applications deployed on internal or cloud platforms
Contribute to Generative AI features (LLM enabled workflows such as summarization, extraction, and assistant experiences) under guidance
Must have:
Copilot usage
LLM experience
Agent familiarity
React
Required Skills
4-7 years experience
Java expert
Spring Boot expert
Microservices experience
Modern React exposure
AI tooling experience
Production mindset
Architectural awareness
1 year of AI based dev experience using GitHub Copilot/Claude/Devin
0.5 year Generative AI and Agentic AI experience (Google ADK, Lang Chain, MCP)
0.5 year of Prompt Engineering experience
Medium Importance:
Splunk
Kubernetes
CI/CD
Liquibase
Testing frameworks
Kafka
Nice-to-Have:
Mortgage experience
AI certifications
Georgia Tech-style AI education

Apply