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Lead Data Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

We are seeking a hands-on Lead Data Engineer to join the Data & AI Supply Chain organization and drive the design, development, and delivery of enterprise-scale data products on Google Cloud Platform ...

Lead Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll lead the Financial Data Operations team, owning the pipelines that support month-end close, investor servicing, revenue recognition, and other high-impact processes ...

Lead Data Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$110K - $144K/yr

Data Engineering POD Lead Location: Irvine, CA onsite Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Data Engineering POD Lead with a strong background in Asset Management/Investment Management to lead a ...

C. is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to oversee data engineering delivery. The role involves skills in pipeline design and performance tuning, with a focus on asset management domain experience.

Lead Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $225K/yr

Within it, data engineering is the technical backbone which creates the architecture, platform, and operations that everything else is built on. You'll work shoulder to shoulder with both scientists ...

Lead Data Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$155K - $175K/yr

Own source code management, documentation (technical and end-user), and release planning for data engineering products; lean into DataOps, DevOps, and CI/CD to deliver reliable, tested, and scalable ...

Lead Data Engineer

Alameda, CA · Remote

$155K - $175K/yr

Own source code management, documentation (technical and end-user), and release planning for data engineering products; lean into DataOps, DevOps, and CI/CD to deliver reliable, tested, and scalable ...

Lead Data Engineer

Alameda, CA · Remote

$155K - $175K/yr

Own source code management, documentation (technical and end-user), and release planning for data engineering products; lean into DataOps, DevOps, and CI/CD to deliver reliable, tested, and scalable ...

As the data engineering function grows under Engineering, you\'ll have a real voice in shaping how it\'s built - the processes, standards, and team culture. You\'ll sit at the intersection of our ...

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$66 - $68/hr

Lead Data Engineer -Data & AI, Supply Chain About the Role Tech is seeking an experienced Lead Data Engineer to join the Supply Chain Data & AI Organization. This role will support the design ...

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

Lead Data Engineer Locations: 2 Folsom, San Francisco, CA 94105 Job Type: 17 Months contract Description: Client seeks an experienced Lead Data Engineer to join the Supply Chain Data & AI ...

Lead Data Engineer - GCP

Fremont, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

Lead technical design discussions, code reviews, and architecture reviews * Implement observability, monitoring, lineage, and data quality frameworks * Mentor junior engineers and provide technical ...

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Showing results 21-40

Lead Data Engineer information

See California salary details

$41.9K

$122.2K

$178.1K

How much do lead data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead data engineer in California is $122,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,200.00 and $133,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a lead data engineer typically collaborate with data scientists and other engineering teams?

As a Lead Data Engineer, you play a central role in bridging the gap between raw data and actionable insights. You’ll collaborate closely with data scientists to understand their requirements, ensuring data pipelines deliver clean, reliable datasets for modeling and analysis. Additionally, you’ll work with software engineers and DevOps teams to integrate data solutions into production systems, maintain data infrastructure, and uphold best practices for data governance and security. Effective communication and cross-functional teamwork are key aspects of this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead data engineer?

To thrive as a Lead Data Engineer, you need advanced expertise in data architecture, database design, and programming languages like Python or Scala, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and relevant certifications such as Google Professional Data Engineer are highly valued. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help drive team performance and translate business needs into technical solutions. These skills ensure robust, scalable data pipelines and successful collaboration across technical and business stakeholders.

What is the difference between Lead Data Engineer vs Data Engineer?

AspectLead Data EngineerData Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, Data Science, or related; often certifications in cloud platforms or data toolsBachelor's in CS, Data Science, or related; similar certifications
Work EnvironmentLeads data projects, mentors teams, designs architectureBuilds data pipelines, maintains databases, implements data solutions
Industry UsageUsed in organizations with complex data needs, overseeing data teamsCommon in companies handling large-scale data processing

The main difference is that Lead Data Engineers oversee data projects and teams, focusing on architecture and strategy, while Data Engineers focus on building and maintaining data pipelines. Both roles require similar skills and certifications, but the Lead Data Engineer has additional leadership responsibilities.

What is a lead data engineer?

Lead Data Engineers are senior professionals responsible for designing, building, and managing large-scale data systems and architectures within an organization. They oversee data engineering teams, set technical standards, and ensure efficient data flow and storage. Their role involves collaborating with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to deliver reliable data solutions that support business goals. Lead Data Engineers also mentor junior engineers and help define best practices and strategies for data management.
What are the most commonly searched types of Lead Data Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Lead Data Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Lead Data Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Data Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Lead Data Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Lead Data Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Lead Data Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $122,163 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

Lead Data Engineer

Solomon Page

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Lead Data Engineer to join the Data & AI Supply Chain organization and drive the design, development, and delivery of enterprise-scale data products on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This role will support Supply Chain initiatives across Sourcing, Transportation, and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) by building scalable cloud-native data solutions that enable advanced analytics and AI-driven decision-making. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in modern data engineering, cloud-native architectures, ETL/ELT development, and enterprise data modeling while collaborating with cross-functional business and technology teams.
  • Rate Range: $5065/hr on W2 (DOE)

Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and implement scalable data pipelines and enterprise data products on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
  • Build and optimize cloud-native data solutions using Dataproc, BigQuery, SQL, and dbt.
  • Design scalable data models supporting analytical and operational reporting requirements.
  • Develop robust ETL/ELT pipelines to ingest, transform, and publish data from enterprise systems.
  • Collaborate with Product Managers, Business Analysts, Solution Architects, Data Architects, and business stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
  • Lead technical design discussions and perform code reviews to ensure engineering quality and best practices.
  • Optimize cloud-based data processing for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency.
  • Implement monitoring, testing, and operational best practices for production workloads.
  • Build reusable frameworks, engineering standards, and technical documentation.
  • Support production issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog refinement, and estimation.
  • Mentor junior engineers and promote engineering best practices.

Required Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of experience in Data Engineering with demonstrated technical leadership.
  • Strong hands-on experience building enterprise data platforms on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
  • Expert-level experience with Dataproc, BigQuery, SQL, and dbt.
  • Strong understanding of modern ETL/ELT architecture and large-scale data processing.
  • Experience designing dimensional, normalized, and analytical data warehouse models.
  • Experience building scalable cloud-native data pipelines.
  • Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and software engineering best practices.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder collaboration skills.
  • Experience working within Agile development environments.

Required Skills:
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Dataproc
  • BigQuery
  • SQL
  • dbt
  • ETL / ELT
  • Data Modeling
  • Cloud Data Engineering
  • Git
  • CI/CD
  • Agile Methodologies

Technical Skills:
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Dataproc
  • BigQuery
  • SQL
  • dbt
  • Git
  • CI/CD Pipelines
  • Data Warehousing
  • ETL / ELT Development
  • Cloud-native Data Architecture

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with Apache Airflow.
  • Experience integrating Apache Kafka or other streaming technologies.
  • Hands-on experience with PySpark.
  • Strong Python programming skills for data engineering and automation.
  • Experience with data quality, metadata management, and data governance.
  • Retail or Apparel industry experience.
  • Experience supporting Supply Chain, Transportation, Logistics, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), or Distribution Center operations.

If you meet the required qualifications and are interested in this role, please apply today.
The Solomon Page Distinction
Solomon Page offers a comprehensive benefit program for hourly employees. We pride ourselves on offering medical, dental, 401(k), direct deposit and commuter benefits to our employees, including freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve.
About Solomon Page
Founded in 1990, Solomon Page is a specialty niche provider of staffing and executive search solutions across a wide array of functions and industries. The success of Solomon Page reflects an organic growth strategy supported by a highly entrepreneurial culture. Acting as a strategic partner to our clients and candidates, we focus on providing customized solutions and building long-term relationships based on trust, respect, and the consistent delivery of excellent results. For more information and additional opportunities, visit: solomonpage.com and connect with us on Facebook , and LinkedIn .
Opportunity Awaits.

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