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Lead Data Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Saransh Inc

Lead Data Engineer - Only W2

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $162K/yr

Lead Data Engineer Location: San Francisco, CA (1-2 days a week onsite is must) Job Type: W2 Contract Contract Length: 9 months with possible extension Experience Level: Senior/Lead Main Skills: SQL ...

Lancesoft

Data Engineer (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$40 - $41/hr

Lead Data Engineer -Data & AI, Supply Chain Fully Remote Rate: $40/hour About the Role Tech is seeking an experienced Lead Data Engineer to join the Supply Chain Data & AI Organization. This role ...

AllSTEM Connections

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $133K/yr

Lead Data Engineer (GCP, Supply Chain & AI Data Platforms) Role Overview We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Lead Data Engineer to join our Enterprise Data & AI Organization. In this role, you ...

CrewAI

Lead Data Engineer, Data Platform

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $162K/yr

The Role You'll be CrewAI's first dedicated data engineering hire. Your job is to own the data foundation end to end: rationalize what exists, improve the infrastructure, define trusted metrics ...

CrewAI

Lead Data Engineer, Data Platform

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $162K/yr

The Role You'll be CrewAI's first dedicated data engineering hire. Your job is to own the data foundation end to end: rationalize what exists, improve the infrastructure, define trusted metrics ...

CrewAI

Lead Data Engineer, Data Platform

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $162K/yr

The Role You'll be CrewAI's first dedicated data engineering hire. Your job is to own the data foundation end to end: rationalize what exists, improve the infrastructure, define trusted metrics ...

Stellent IT LLC

Lead Data Architect

Burbank, CA · On-site

Lead Data Architect Burbank, California(Hybrid) Phone+Skype Long Term Contract JD: You will ... Work closely with data engineers and data product managers to implement scalable data analytical ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsLead Data Engineer JobsLead Data Engineer Jobs in California

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 8, 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 are popular job titles related to Lead Data Engineer jobs in California? For Lead Data Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles 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:
Lead Data Engineer jobs near you
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 - Only W2

Saransh Inc

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$134K - $162K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 13 hours ago

Job description

Role: Lead Data Engineer
Location: San Francisco, CA (1-2 days a week onsite is must)
Job Type: W2 Contract
Contract Length: 9 months with possible extension
 
Experience Level: Senior/Lead
 
Main Skills:
SQL, Databricks, ADF, DataStage (or other ETL tool), SSAS cubes, Cognos/other, Tableau/other, Thoughtspot/other
 
Required Experience:
  • 8-10 years of software development and deployment experience
  • At least 7 years of hands-on experience with:
  • SQL
  • Databricks
  • Azure Data Factory (ADF)
  • Datastage (or other ETL tools)
  • SSAS cubes
  • BI tools (Cognos, Tableau, ThoughtSpot, etc.)
  • Strong Database knowledge (SQL & No-SQL preferred)
  • Advanced SQL and Python skills
  • Experience working with APIs for data collection/ingestion
Additional Skills & Requirements:
  • Experience building data ingestion pipelines and data warehouse architecture
  • Ability to write design documentation, source-to-target mapping documentation, and manage Confluence pages
  • Experience converting business functionalities into technical Jira stories
  • Strong experience with data modeling, design patterns, and building scalable BI solutions
  • Knowledge of cloud platforms (Azure, AWS or equivalent)