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Principal Big Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ocelot Consulting

Big Data Engineer

Creve Coeur, MO · On-site

$52.25 - $69/hr

As a big data engineer you will develop innovative software using state of the art big data streaming architectures. Qualifications Requirements * Extensive experience setting up and doing ...

Software Guidance & Assistance

Big Data Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$56.75 - $75.25/hr

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Big Data Engineer to design, develop, and optimize large-scale data processing systems. In this role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams ...

Ruri Software Technologies LLC

Big Data Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$52.75 - $69.75/hr

Big Data Engineer City :Tampa State :FL : TOP REQUIREMENTS: Big Data (Spark, Scala, Hive, Hadoop Ecosystem) Data Streaming (Kafka) Responsibilities * Building and supporting a cloud based analytical ...

Forhyre

Big Data Engineer

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$56 - $74.25/hr

Looking for an experienced Senior Big Data Developer Experience: 8 - 10 years Job Location: Rolling Meadows, IL Requirements Primary / Essential Skills : SPARK with Scala or Python Secondary ...

Kanak Elite Services Inc

Big Data Engineer

Malvern, PA · On-site

$54.75 - $72.25/hr

Big Data Engineer Location : Malvern, PA Hybrid Duration : Initial 12 months + options to extend - Long term contract role Responsibilities * Collaborate on the Smartstream cash reconciliation ...

Avani Technology Solutions, Inc.

Big Data Engineer

Renton, WA · On-site

$63 - $83.25/hr

Big Data Engineer Location: Renton, Washington Duration: 6 Months Top Three Skills: * 5-years in SQL, SQL Server, Oracle, JDBC * 5-years in Hadoop, HDFS, MapReduce, YARN * 5-years in Sqoop, Oozie ...

Jobsbridge

Big Data Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$60 - $79.50/hr

Company Description Intelliswift Software, Inc As a Big Data Engineer, you will be an integral member of our threat intelligence service, i.e. auto focus, team responsible for architecture, design ...

LiniumIT

Big Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57.50 - $76/hr

Our client, a premier investment bank, is looking for a Big Data Engineer to join their growing team in Chicago, IL. Currently our client spends a lot of time trying to answer client's questions by ...

LiniumIT

Big Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57.50 - $76/hr

Our client, a premier investment bank, is looking for a Big Data Engineer to join their growing team in Chicago, IL. Currently our client spends a lot of time trying to answer client's questions by ...

LiniumIT

Big Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57.50 - $76/hr

Our client, a premier investment bank, is looking for a Big Data Engineer to join their growing team in Chicago, IL. Currently our client spends a lot of time trying to answer client's questions by ...

ByteCubed

Big Data Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$64.25 - $84.75/hr

Big Data, Strategy and Business Architecture, Systems Engineering, Enterprise cloud services and solutions, PMO services, Innovation, R&D, Business Process and Improvements, and Software Engineering.

ByteCubed

Big Data Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$64.25 - $84.75/hr

Big Data, Strategy and Business Architecture, Systems Engineering, Enterprise cloud services and solutions, PMO services, Innovation, R&D, Business Process and Improvements, and Software Engineering.

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Principal Big Data Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal big data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal big data engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal big data engineer?

A Principal Big Data Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for designing, building, and optimizing large-scale data processing systems. They lead the architecture and development of data pipelines, mentor engineering teams, and ensure that data solutions are scalable, reliable, and secure. Principal Big Data Engineers often work closely with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to deliver data-driven insights and support decision-making processes. Their expertise typically includes big data technologies like Hadoop, Spark, and cloud platforms.

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

As a Principal Big Data Engineer, you will regularly collaborate with data scientists to understand their analytical requirements and help design scalable solutions for data processing. You’ll also work closely with software and DevOps engineers to ensure that data pipelines are robust, maintainable, and integrated into the overall system architecture. Effective communication and the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions are crucial, as you will often serve as a technical mentor and leader within cross-functional teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal big data engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Big Data Engineer, you need deep expertise in data architecture, distributed computing, and programming (such as Java, Scala, or Python), typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Mastery of big data tools and platforms like Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, and experience with cloud services (AWS, Azure, or GCP) are essential, and certifications like Google Professional Data Engineer or AWS Big Data Specialty are highly valued. Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you guide teams and collaborate across departments. These skills are crucial for designing robust data solutions, driving innovation, and ensuring scalable, reliable data infrastructure in complex enterprise environments.

What is the difference between Principal Big Data Engineer vs Data Architect?

AspectPrincipal Big Data EngineerData Architect
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, Data Science, or related; certifications like Cloudera, AWS, or Google CloudBachelor's/Master's in CS, Information Systems, or related; certifications in cloud platforms or data modeling
Work EnvironmentDesigns and develops big data solutions, works closely with data engineering teamsDesigns overall data infrastructure, focuses on data models and architecture
Industry UsageCommon in tech, finance, healthcare, and retail sectorsUsed across industries for data strategy and infrastructure planning

The Principal Big Data Engineer focuses on building and optimizing big data systems, while the Data Architect designs the overarching data infrastructure and models. Both roles require strong technical skills and collaboration but differ in scope and focus within data management.

What states have the most Principal Big Data Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Principal Big Data Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Big Data Engineer jobs?

For Principal Big Data Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Principal Big Data Engineer jobs near you

Big Data Engineer

Creve Coeur, MO • On-site

Ocelot Consulting
Software Development • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Ocelot Consultingexternal

$52.25 - $69/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Ocelot Consulting specializes in cloud technologies, custom application development and enterprise security. Ocelot Consultants are certified AWS Solution Architects and have experience migrating enterprise applications and data for Fortune 500 companies.
Job Description
As a big data engineer you will develop innovative software using state of the art big data streaming architectures.
Qualifications
Requirements
  • Extensive experience setting up and doing development for a distributed platform, such as HBASE, Hadoop/Spark, AWS EMR, Cassandra
  • Extensive ETL experience
  • General Purpose Programming languages (Java, C, Scala, Python, Erlang, etc.)
  • Database Technology - (Postgres, Mongo, Cassandra, Elastic Search, Oracle, etc.) as well as SQL and related query languages

Nice to have
  • Data lakes
  • Experience with cloud big data technology (AWS Data Pipeline, GCP DataFlow, Azure HDInsight)
  • Experience with Business Intelligence Platforms Experience with modern JavaScript
  • API Development (proper microservice separation, HTTP verb usage)
  • DevOps - understanding of OS and Container Management
    • Distributed microservice architectures providing elasticity, redundancy, failover, and intelligent routing.
    • Docker/Kubernetes/Cloud Foundry experience

Additional Information
Standard Benefits Program (medical, dental, retirement, PTO, etc.)
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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