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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 ...

Required : • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a ... data center infrastructure layouts and capacity planning. • Demonstrated ability to lead complex ...

Data Engineer

Overland Park, KS · On-site

$75 - $85/hr

As a Data Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining data ... Lead the design and optimization of scalable data architectures to support evolving business needs.

Data Engineer

Overland Park, KS · On-site

$75 - $85/hr

As a Data Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining data ... Lead the design and optimization of scalable data architectures to support evolving business needs.

About The Role The Senior Lead Data Manager is responsible for all data management activities from ... Coordinate with Database Developers to ensure effective database build and timely go-live to meet ...

Senior Data Engineer

Olathe, KS

$102K - $139K/yr

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

Senior Data Engineer

Olathe, KS · On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

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

Take the lead on our daily database administration, ensuring our data environment stays healthy and ... Act as a player-coach for junior and intermediate data engineers and ETL developers as the EDO team ...

Textron is a global leader in aviation, and they are seeking a Manager - Data Engineering to lead a ... Responsibilities : • Lead the design, development, and deployment of data products (pipelines ...

Data Architect

Leawood, KS · On-site

$62 - $79.75/hr

You will lead data architecture strategy, modernize platforms, and ensure data systems are secure ... Implement DataOps/DevOps practices and automation to streamline and operationalize data workflows.

The Manager - Data Engineering leads a team responsible for designing, building, and operating ... Lead the design, development, and deployment of data products (pipelines, curated datasets, and ...

The Manager - Data Engineering leads a team responsible for designing, building, and operating ... Lead the design, development, and deployment of data products (pipelines, curated datasets, and ...

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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 Jun 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?

A lead data engineer is a senior technical role responsible for designing, building, and maintaining an organization’s data infrastructure and pipelines. They often oversee data teams, ensure data quality, and work with tools like SQL, Spark, and cloud platforms to support data analytics and business decision-making.

How much do lead data engineers get paid?

Lead data engineers typically earn between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles often include expertise in big data tools like Hadoop and Spark, and may involve leadership responsibilities and advanced certifications.

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, and why are they important?

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 are Lead Data Engineers?

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.

Is AI replacing data engineers?

AI is transforming the role of data engineers by automating routine tasks such as data cleaning and integration, but it does not replace the need for skilled professionals to design, manage, and oversee data infrastructure. Data engineers are essential for building scalable data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and implementing AI models effectively. Their expertise remains critical in managing complex data environments and integrating new technologies.

What engineers make 500,000?

Lead Data Engineers and senior engineering roles in high-demand industries can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in big data tools, cloud platforms, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation varies based on company size, location, and individual expertise.
What are the most commonly searched types of Lead Data Engineer jobs in Kansas? The most popular types of Lead Data Engineer jobs in Kansas 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:
Lead AI Engineer

Lead AI Engineer

Conflux Systems

Kansas City, KS • On-site

$98K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


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.