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Senior Principal Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Hearst

Principal Data Engineer

Manhattan, NY

The Enterprise Corporate Data Team is looking for a Principal Data Engineer, a senior technical leader responsible for architecting the core data infrastructure and platforms that power enterprise ...

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 ...

Hearst

Principal Data Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

The Enterprise Corporate Data Team is looking for a Principal Data Engineer, a senior technical leader responsible for architecting the core data infrastructure and platforms that power enterprise ...

Hearst

Principal Data Engineer

Manhattan, NY

The Enterprise Corporate Data Team is looking for a Principal Data Engineer, a senior technical leader responsible for architecting the core data infrastructure and platforms that power enterprise ...

Hearst Corporate

Principal Data Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The Enterprise Corporate Data Team is looking for a Principal Data Engineer, a senior technical leader responsible for architecting the core data infrastructure and platforms that power enterprise ...

Waters Corporation

Principal Data Engineer

Milford, MA · On-site

As a Principal Data Engineer , you will be a senior technical contributor who partners closely with data, analytics, and product teams. You will bring deep technical expertise, operate with a high ...

Waters Corporation

Principal Data Engineer

Milford, MA · Hybrid

As a Principal Data Engineer , you will be a senior technical contributor who partners closely with data, analytics, and product teams. You will bring deep technical expertise, operate with a high ...

Waters Corporation

Principal Data Engineer

Milford, MA · Hybrid

As a Principal Data Engineer , you will be a senior technical contributor who partners closely with data, analytics, and product teams. You will bring deep technical expertise, operate with a high ...

Hearst

Principal Data Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The Enterprise Corporate Data Team is looking for a Principal Data Engineer, a senior technical leader responsible for architecting the core data infrastructure and platforms that power enterprise ...

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All JobsSenior Principal Data Engineer Jobs

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 Jun 9, 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:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Data Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Data Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs are:
Senior Principal Data Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Data Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.
Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

Luminant

Irving, TX • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

If you have what it takes to become part of the Vistra family and would like to start a promising career with a global leader, take a look at the exciting employment opportunities that are currently available and apply online.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Data Engineer to join our team. As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing scalable and robust data solutions that enable efficient data processing, storage, and retrieval. You will provide technical leadership, drive innovation, and ensure the integrity and reliability of our data infrastructure. This is a senior-level position that requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of successfully delivering complex data engineering projects.

Job Description

Key Accountabilities

  • Lead the design and development of scalable and reliable data pipelines, including data ingestion, processing, storage, and retrieval.
  • Develop data models and schemas that support efficient data storage, retrieval, and analytics, employing optimization techniques to enhance query performance and scalability.
  • Leverage big data technologies and frameworks (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Hive) to process and analyze large volumes of data, enabling advanced analytics and machine learning initiatives.
  • Manage and optimize data infrastructure, including cloud-based platforms, containerization technologies, and distributed computing environments.
  • Work closely with other teams, including Data Science, Analytics, and Product, to understand their data needs and requirements.
  • Develop and implement best practices for data modeling, storage, and retrieval.
  • Ensure the security and privacy of our data and compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Develop and maintain documentation for all data processes and systems.
  • Evaluate new technologies and tools for data processing, storage, and retrieval and recommend solutions to improve the efficiency and scalability of our data infrastructure.
  • Propose and lead continuous improvement opportunities.
  • Mentor team members to develop their technical and leadership skills.

Education, Experience, & Skill Requirements

  • 9-11 years of experience in data engineering, including experience in designing and building data pipelines
  • Strong proficiency in data engineering technologies, such as ETL frameworks, big data processing, and SQL and NoSQL databases.
  • Deep understanding of database systems, data modeling, and data warehousing.
  • Experience with cloud-based data storage and processing technologies, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Key Metrics

  • Understanding of data privacy and data governance policies.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to lead and manage projects.
  • Experience in leading a team of data engineers and managing complex projects.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
  • Experience with agile software development methodologies.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-ND1

#Dice

Job Family

Data Analytics

Company

Vistra Corporate Services Company

Locations

Irving, TexasTexas
We are a company of people committed to: Exceeding Customer Expectations, Great People, Teamwork, Competitive Spirit and Effective Communication. If this describes you, then apply today!
If you currently work for Vistra or its subsidiaries, please apply via the internal career site.

It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email usatassistance@vistraenergy.comtomake a request.

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