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Senior Principal Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GDIT

Data Engineer Senior Principal (Hybrid)

Fort Liberty, NC · Hybrid

$122K - $168K/yr

Iron EagleX is looking for a Data Engineer Sr. Principal to support the USASOC OTA Program who knows how hardware and software components fit together and integrate with cloud-based resources, to ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Principal Engineer

Job Title Principal Engineer Summary The Principal Data Engineer at Cushman & Wakefield is a senior, high-impact technical leader responsible for solving complex data engineering challenges and ...

NAVA Software Solutions

Principal Data Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$106K - $127K/yr

Principal Data Engineer Location: Houston, TX - 4 days/week onsite Duration: Full time / Direct Hire The Principal Data Engineer within the Data Science and Analytics team, plays a crucial role in ...

Vistra Corp

Principal Data Engineer

Irving, TX · On-site

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing ... This is a senior-level position that requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership ...

Vistra Corp.

Principal Data Engineer

Irving, TX · On-site

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing ... This is a senior-level position that requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership ...

Vestis

Principal Data Engineer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

Overview The Principal Data Engineer is a senior technical individual contributor (no direct people management required) responsible for driving technical excellence, architectural direction, and ...

Vst

Principal Data Engineer

Irving, TX · Hybrid

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing ... This is a senior-level position that requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership ...

Luminant

Principal Data Engineer

Irving, TX · Hybrid

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing ... This is a senior-level position that requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership ...

Vistra Energy

Principal Data Engineer

Irving, TX · Hybrid

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing ... This is a senior-level position that requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership ...

IVID TEK INC

Principal Data Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$100K - $110K/hr

Principal Data Engineer - Principal Data Engineer Job Type: Contract W2 Location: Johnston, RI or Charlotte, NC or Boston,MA Role Overview: Principal-level Java engineer to design and build ...

TXU Energy

Principal Data Engineer

Irving, TX · Hybrid

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing ... This is a senior-level position that requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership ...

American Tower

Principal, Data Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$170K - $213K/yr

A minimum of 8 years of data engineering or data platform development experience with at least 5 years as a senior or principal-level technical leader required. * Expert-level proficiency in ...

Motion Recruitment

Principal Data Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

We're hiring a Principal Data Engineer to join a fast-growing, mission-driven healthcare technology ... This is a high-impact opportunity for a senior data engineer who thrives in fast-paced environments ...

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Senior Principal Data Engineer information

See salary details

$82K

$155.4K

$214.5K

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

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal data engineer in the United States is $155,430.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Senior Principal Data Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams on large-scale projects?

Senior Principal Data Engineers often serve as technical leaders, working closely with data scientists, software engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders to design and implement robust data architectures. They facilitate communication across teams to ensure data solutions align with both technical requirements and business goals. Collaboration may involve leading design discussions, reviewing code, mentoring junior engineers, and establishing best practices for data quality and scalability. Their role is crucial in bridging gaps between technical and non-technical teams, ensuring successful project delivery.

What is the difference between Senior Principal Data Engineer vs Lead Data Engineer?

AspectSenior Principal Data EngineerLead Data Engineer
CredentialsAdvanced degrees (MSc/PhD), extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's, significant data engineering experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic, architecture design, cross-team collaborationProject execution, team coordination, technical leadership
Industry UsageUsed in large organizations for high-level technical rolesCommon in tech companies and data-driven industries

The Senior Principal Data Engineer focuses on strategic architecture and high-level technical decisions, often working across teams. In contrast, the Lead Data Engineer manages project execution and team coordination. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the Senior Principal typically has more experience and a broader scope of responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Principal Data Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Principal Data Engineer, you need deep expertise in data architecture, data modeling, distributed systems, and strong proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or Scala, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Kafka), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Data Analytics or Google Professional Data Engineer is highly valuable. Leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills help you guide teams and align data solutions with business goals. These capabilities are crucial for designing scalable, robust data infrastructure and driving data-driven decision-making at an organizational level.

What are Senior Principal Data Engineers?

Senior Principal Data Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and oversee large-scale data systems and architectures for organizations. They lead teams in building robust data pipelines, ensure data quality, and implement best practices for data storage, processing, and security. Their role often involves collaborating with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to support data-driven decision-making. They also mentor junior engineers and help set the technical vision for data engineering projects.
More about Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Principal Data Engineer job openings:
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Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Data Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.
Senior Principal Data Scientist: Remote, Strategic Innovator (Minnetonka)

Senior Principal Data Scientist: Remote, Strategic Innovator (Minnetonka)

UnitedHealthcare

Minnetonka, MN • On-site

Full-time

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

UnitedHealthcare rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 678 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

105th of 880 rated healthcare providers

Job description

UnitedHealthcare is seeking a Sr. Principal Data Scientist to improve lives through data-driven insights. This remote role influences strategic decisions and supports healthcare initiatives by translating complex data into actionable strategies.

The position requires advanced analytics, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and expertise in predictive modeling, machine learning, and data engineering.

Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree and extensive experience in data analytics, with a strong focus on healthcare datasets.

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