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Kafka Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Java Developer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$110 - $160/hr

We are seeking a Senior Java Engineer with strong experience in Java 17+, Spring Boot, Kafka, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) to help build scalable, event‑driven solutions for a ...

Sr Data Engineer

Southfield, MI · On-site

$145K - $155K/yr

Our client is looking for a Senior Data Engineer to lead the development of a scalable enterprise ... Experience working with Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, and Apache Kafka in data pipeline or ...

ML Ops Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$48.50 - $66.50/hr

Apache Kafka or real-time streaming platforms * REST APIs for system integration * DevOps tooling (GitHub, Tekton, Docker, Terraform, CI/CD pipelines) * Experience implementing data governance ...

Big Data Tech: Hadoop, Spark, Kafka; * Programming/API: Python, Keras, Scikit-learn, R, XML; * ML/DL/Analytic Engines: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Trillium, Apache Spark; * Modeling Tools: MS Visio, ER ...

Data Engineer

Farmington Hills, MI · On-site

$90 - $115/hr

Job Summary We are looking for a talented Data Engineer to join our team and help design, build ... Experience with big data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, or Hive. * Familiarity with ...

New

Senior Software Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Senior Software Engineer What will I be getting myself into? As a Senior Software Engineer, you ... Our platform is built using AWS, GitLab, Auth0, Grafana, Terraform, Kafka, Node.js, TypeScript ...

Kafka event bus and OpenSearch indexes supporting millions of searchable objects. * Java/Spring and ... Raising the engineering bar through design discussions, architecture reviews, mentoring, and ...

Software Engineer #1061561 * Employees in this job function are responsible for designing ... KAFKA * GCP * Cloud Architecture * Data Architecture * Big Data * Cloud Infrastructure * Apache ...

Senior Software Quality Engineer What will I be getting myself into? As a Senior Software Quality ... Our platform is built using AWS, GitLab, Auth0, Grafana, Terraform, Kafka, Node.js, TypeScript ...

AI Data Engineer

Detroit, MI · On-site

$113K - $136K/yr

Develop streaming data pipelines using technologies like Apache Kafka to support real-time AI ... Programming: Fluency in programming languages such as Python and SQL, and familiarity with others ...

Showing results 21-40

Kafka Engineer information

See Michigan salary details

$34K

$88.7K

$119.8K

How much do kafka engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for kafka engineer in Michigan is $88,687.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,200.00 and $101,500.00 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 Michigan are hiring for Kafka Engineer jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Kafka Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Kafka Engineer job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,687 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

$110 - $160/hr

Other

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Senior Java Engineer – Cloud Native Development

Location: Dearborn, MI – Onsite (locals only). Long term contract.

We are seeking a Senior Java Engineer with strong experience in Java 17+, Spring Boot, Kafka, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) to help build scalable, event‑driven solutions for a cutting‑edge connected services platform.

Responsibilities
  • Design and develop RESTful and event‑driven microservices
  • Build real‑time integrations with connected devices and APIs
  • Work with Kafka/RabbitMQ, Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines
  • Collaborate on architecture, security, and cloud‑native best practices
  • Drive innovation in IoT and connected services ecosystems
Requirements
  • 5+ years of Java development experience
  • Strong expertise in Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Microservices
  • Experience with PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, OAuth 2.0, and JWT
  • Hands‑on cloud and containerization experience
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