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Lead Data Engineer Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Lead AI Engineer

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$98K - $130K/yr

Title: Lead Data Engineer (with AI. ML, Python, Java, Kafka) Location: Leawood, KS Description * Led App Development teams and are aware of working with distributed systems * Are well aware of ...

Data Engineer

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$110K - $132K/yr

... • Lead or support discovery sessions, requirements workshops, architecture discussions, and ... data engineering, data platform development, or cloud data solutions • 3+ years of hands-on ...

Data Architect

Lenexa, KS · On-site

$59.75 - $77/hr

... or lead data engineering capacity * Demonstrated experience architecting a modern cloud analytics platform - Microsoft Fabric strongly preferred; Synapse, Databricks, or equivalent Lakehouse ...

Sr. Data Engineer - AI

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$110K - $132K/yr

Partner with Software engineers, data architects, domain experts, product teams, and platform teams ... Able to lead technical initiatives, document approaches clearly, influence peers, and promote ...

Sr. Data Engineer - AI

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$110K - $132K/yr

Partner with Software engineers, data architects, domain experts, product teams, and platform teams ... Able to lead technical initiatives, document approaches clearly, influence peers, and promote ...

Senior Data Architect

Topeka, KS · On-site

$63.25 - $84.75/hr

Develop and maintain Python-based tooling for architecture validation, automation scripting, and shared engineering utilities across the architecture team * Lead data architecture and integration ...

Senior Data Architect

Topeka, KS · On-site +1

$63.25 - $84.75/hr

Develop and maintain Python-based tooling for architecture validation, automation scripting, and shared engineering utilities across the architecture team * Lead data architecture and integration ...

Data Engineer 2

Olathe, KS · On-site

$110K - $133K/yr

Overview We are seeking a full-time Data Engineer 2 at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater ... Partners with team lead to identify technical requirements and alternatives to accomplish projects ...

Data Engineer 2

Olathe, KS · On-site

$110K - $132K/yr

Overview We are seeking a full-time Data Engineer 2 at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater ... Partners with team lead to identify technical requirements and alternatives to accomplish projects ...

The Staff Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining scalable data ... Lead, develop, and maintain the data architecture, data models, and standards for various data ...

Data quality & technology governance Partner with engineering and data science to surface and ... A working cadence with the Lead Platform Product Manager where handoffs (data → interface) happen ...

Data quality & technology governance Partner with engineering and data science to surface and ... A working cadence with the Lead Platform Product Manager where handoffs (data interface) happen ...

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Showing results 1-20

Lead Data Engineer information

See Kansas salary details

$37.9K

$110.4K

$161K

How much do lead data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead data engineer in Kansas is $110,397.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,400.00 and $120,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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 are popular job titles related to Lead Data Engineer jobs in Kansas?

For Lead Data Engineer jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lead Data Engineer jobs in Kansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Data Engineer jobs in Kansas are:

What cities in Kansas are hiring for Lead Data Engineer jobs?

Cities in Kansas with the most Lead Data Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Lead Data Engineer job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,397 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Lead AI Engineer

Kansas City, KS • On-site

Conflux Systems
IT Services • 11 - 50 employees

$98K - $130K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Title: Lead Data Engineer (with AI. ML, Python, Java, Kafka)
Location: Leawood, KS
Description
  • Led App Development teams and are aware of working with distributed systems
  • Are well aware of architecture (backend) and integrations
  • Taking Applications to production (so awareness of end to end working of systems)
  • Preferably know Kafka
  • Preferably worked as Data Engineering Leads
  • Are tech savvy, have tried out building Gen AI apps.

Role Overview
  • Ascend Learning is seeking a Lead AI Engineer (Contract) who is a driver, not an order taker - someone who leads from the front, manages delivery across the AI team, and ensures successful execution of complex, high-impact AI initiatives.
  • You will architect and deliver applied AI solutions powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SMLs) within a distributed, production-grade ecosystem.
  • This is a hands-on technical leadership and delivery management role that combines engineering excellence, team guidance, and cross-functional collaboration. You will work closely with Technical Product Owners (TPOs), Technical Program Managers (TPMs), Platform Engineering, and Senior Managers to deliver scalable, reliable, and innovative AI applications that transform digital learning experiences.

Roles and Responsibilities
Delivery Management & Leadership: Manage delivery of AI engineering initiatives, ensuring projects are executed on time, within scope, and to high quality standards. Coordinate engineers and workstreams, resolve dependencies, and drive accountability.
Technical Leadership & Team Guidance: Lead and mentor AI engineers in architecture, design, and implementation of best practices. Set engineering standards for quality, reliability, and maintainability.
AI Solution Design & Development: Architect and develop Agentic AI applications using LLMs and SMLs for automation, reasoning, and content generation. Build distributed backend systems with Python, Fast API, Azure, Kafka, and Kubernetes.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Technical Product Owners, Technical Program Managers, and Platform Engineering to define scope, success metrics, and optimize infrastructure and performance.
Innovation & Strategic Thinking: Stay current on advancements in LLMs, SMLs, RAG, and Agentic AI frameworks. Experiment with OpenAI and Azure AI tools and promote technical innovation balanced with predictable delivery.
Productionization & Lifecycle Management: Lead productionization of AI application, ensuring reliability, observability, and lifecycle management of deployed solutions.
Qualifications
Education & Experience: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field-or equivalent practical experience. Minimum of 7 years in software or AI engineering, with at least 2 years in technical leadership or architectural roles, demonstrating a proven track record of delivering complex solutions.
Delivery Management Expertise: Demonstrated success managing end-to-end delivery for engineering teams or overseeing multi-stream technical projects, ensuring timely execution, high standards, and effective coordination across stakeholders.
Technical Proficiency: Deep expertise in designing and implementing distributed systems, microservices architectures, and event-driven solutions. Hands-on experience with production-grade AI systems leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SMLs).
Technology Stack Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Python, FastAPI, and Azure Cloud. Skilled in deploying and orchestrating solutions with Docker and Kubernetes. Familiarity with LangChain, LangGraph, vector databases, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines.
DevOps & Observability: Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, logging, and tracing using tools like Datadog. Experienced with modern DevOps best practices to ensure system reliability and maintainability.
Additional Competencies: Working knowledge of OpenAI APIs and the Azure ecosystem, including Cosmos DB, AI Search, and Cognitive Services. Familiarity with front-end frameworks (Angular, React) and principles of UI/UX design, enabling seamless integration of intelligent backends with web applications. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities, with a passion for mentoring teams and driving impactful results.