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Lead Data Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Full-stack Data Engineer (Remote)

Vancouver, WA · Remote

$119K - $144K/yr

Will a company's strategy lead to growth? Why? We do this to help investors and corporate execs ... As a Data Engineer, you will help design, improve and maintain our ETL processes. Without which we ...

Partner with the Lead AI Solutions Architect and AI Data Engineer to translate Human Capital product needs into secure, scalable technical designs and delivered solutions (APIs, services, pipelines ...

Lead AI and Data Science Engineer II

Portland, OR · On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

Lead AI and Data Science Engineer II Drive the design and delivery of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) solutions that inform Talent ...

Lead Saviynt Engineer

Tualatin, OR · On-site

$106K - $140K/yr

Together, we support users globally with data, information, and systems to achieve their business objectives. The impact you'll make We are seeking a Lead Identity Engineer with deep, hands-on ...

Showing results 21-40

Lead Data Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$44.2K

$128.8K

$187.8K

How much do lead data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead data engineer in Portland, OR is $128,797.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,600.00 and $140,500.00 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 Portland, OR? The most popular types of Lead Data Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:
What job categories do people searching Lead Data Engineer jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Data Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:
Infographic showing various Lead Data Engineer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $128,797 per year, or $61.9 per hour.

$110K - $149K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description


  • Strong experience with Spark and performance tuning in Spark
  • Solid understanding of Hive and partitioning
  • Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms
  • Strong understanding of solution and technical design
  • Advanced experience building cloud scalable, real time and high-performance data lake solutions
  • Experience with relational SQL
  • Experience with scripting languages such as Shell, Python
  • Experience with source control tools such as GitHub and related dev processes
  • In-depth understanding of micro service architecture
  • Able to lead others in solving complex problems by taking a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions