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Kafka Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Jobtailor

Director, Data Management

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$170 - $250/hr

Familiarity with streaming/real-time ingestion, including Kafka and Event Hub, required * 10+ years of experience in data engineering, architecture, or platform leadership * At least 5 years of team ...

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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 19, 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.

Director, Data Management

Jobtailor

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$170 - $250/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

  • Define and own the enterprise data platform strategy, ensuring scalability, performance, and cloud optimization
  • Oversee migration from legacy Azure SQL Server systems to an Azure Databricks Lakehouse using medallion architecture
  • Lead and mentor data engineers and guide the onsite and remote data engineering team
  • Partner with enterprise data and solution architects on data models, pipelines, and platform design
  • Transform a fragmented data ecosystem into a single source of truth for insurance domains
  • Drive cloud-native engineering best practices, including ETL/ELT optimization, CI/CD, DevOps, cost efficiency, and observability
  • Ensure data availability, scalability, and reliability for analytics, reporting, and digital initiatives
  • Collaborate with analytics and data science teams to enable advanced analytics, AI/ML, and self-service data access
  • Prioritize and manage the enterprise data portfolio and align investments with business value and strategic initiatives
  • Manage budget, resourcing, and vendor relationships
  • Evolve the platform roadmap based on emerging technologies such as Databricks, streaming, and AI/ML
  • Own the Databricks platform and guide business users on Lakehouse adoption
  • Report to the Chief Data & Analytics Officer
Requirements
  • Expertise with Azure Data Services, including Data Lake, Data Factory, Synapse, Event Hub, and Key Vault
  • Ability to lead teams while defining enterprise platform strategy and technical roadmap
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills to influence technical and business stakeholders
  • Familiarity with DAMA/DMBOK practices and standards
  • Familiarity with streaming/real-time ingestion, including Kafka and Event Hub, required
  • 10+ years of experience in data engineering, architecture, or platform leadership
  • At least 5 years of team management experience
  • Insurance or financial services experience required
  • Proven success leading large-scale data modernization programs in Azure or similar cloud ecosystems using Databricks or Snowflake
  • Hands-on experience with Databricks Lakehouse, PySpark, Delta Lake, and Unity Catalog
  • Strong background in data modeling, ETL/ELT frameworks, and data warehousing
  • Experience with compliance regulations and handling PHI/PII data
  • Exposure to AI/ML and data science workloads in Databricks or Snowflake
  • Experience with DevOps and automation frameworks, including Azure DevOps, Terraform, and GitHub Actions
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, business/data analytics, management information systems, information technology, or related field; combination of education and/or relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of degree

Demonstrates expertise in defining and executing enterprise data platform strategies, with a strong focus on Azure Data Services, Databricks Lakehouse, and data modernization. Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and drive cloud-native engineering best practices while ensuring data availability and compliance.

Highest-signal resume keywords
  • Azure Data Services
  • Databricks Lakehouse
  • Data Engineering Leadership
  • ETL/ELT Optimization
  • Insurance Domain Experience
ATS Optimization KeywordsHard Skills
  • Data Modeling
  • PySpark
  • Delta Lake
  • Unity Catalog
  • CI/CD
  • DevOps
  • ETL Frameworks
  • Data Warehousing
  • Streaming Ingestion
  • Compliance Regulations
Soft Skills
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Team Management
  • Stakeholder Influence
  • Collaboration
Industry Keywords
  • DAMA/DMBOK
  • Data Modernization
  • PHI/PII Data
  • Financial Services
  • Insurance
Tools & Technologies
  • Azure Databricks
  • Azure SQL Server
  • Azure Data Factory
  • Azure Synapse
  • Event Hub
  • Azure DevOps
  • Terraform
  • GitHub Actions
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