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Kafka Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Kafka Engineer Location: Minneapolis, MN Job Type: Contract (Long Term) Experience: 8+ years Job Overview We are looking for an experienced Kafka Engineer to join our team in Minneapolis, MN. The ...

Kafka Engineer Location: Minneapolis, MN Job Type: Contract (Long Term) Experience: 8+ years Job Overview We are looking for an experienced Kafka Engineer to join our team in Minneapolis, MN. The ...

Kafka Engineer Location: Minneapolis MN Duration: Long term 5+ years' experience as a Infrastructure Analyst. Knowledge on below topics is a must: 1. AWS and Azure Cloud concepts 2. Kafka Service ...

Job Title: Back End Developer IV Location: Richfield, Minnesota (Hybrid - minimum 2 days onsite per ... Build event-driven solutions leveraging Kafka . * Manage data persistence with PostgreSQL on AWS ...

Senior Software Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$95.80 - $170/hr

Responsibilities You will work on a team of 5‑6 engineers to design, develop, test, deploy and maintain application code using Golang, Python, Redis, Postgres, and Kafka in a microservices ...

Senior Data Engineer

Eden Prairie, MN · Hybrid

$108K - $146K/yr

As a Senior Data Engineer on the UHC Core Data KTLO team, you will join our dynamic technology ... You will work with state-of-the-art technologies such as Python, Spark, Scala, and Kafka to build ...

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Kafka Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$38.2K

$99.7K

$134.7K

How much do kafka engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for kafka engineer in Minnesota is $99,657.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,300.00 and $114,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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.

How much do Kafka engineers make?

Kafka engineers in the US typically earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in distributed systems and real-time data processing can command higher salaries. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses and stock options.
Infographic showing various Kafka Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,657 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Kafka Engineer

InfiCare

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Kafka Engineer

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Job Type: Contract (Long Term)

Experience: 8+ years

Job Overview  

We are looking for an experienced Kafka Engineer to join our team in Minneapolis, MN. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in infrastructure analysis with hands-on expertise in Apache Kafka administration and cloud platform services.

Key Responsibilities  
  • Provision and manage Kafka services and Kafka clusters in production environments
  • Handle Kafka client authentication and cluster security
  • Deploy Search and Reporting Services
  • Provision AWS OpenSearch services
  • Support Pega EKS containerization initiatives
  • Monitor Apache, web, and database servers
  • Monitor and maintain application performance
Required Skills  
  • Apache Kafka — Service Provisioning, Cluster Management, Client Authentication
  • AWS and Azure Cloud concepts
  • AWS OpenSearch Service
  • Pega EKS and containerization
  • Server monitoring — Apache, Web, and DB
  • Application performance monitoring
Preferred Skills  
  • Prior experience in infrastructure analyst roles
  • Familiarity with cloud-native deployment patterns
Location & Work Model  

Minneapolis, MN — please confirm work model preference upon application.

Engagement Details  

Long-term contract engagement. Immediate start preferred.