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Startup Data Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

Job title Data Engineer Position overview We are looking for an experienced Data Engineer to join ... You get to experience the 0-1 of building a startup, working with talented engineers from ...

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

About the Role Join a Y Combinator-backed fintech startup building an AI-powered voice and omnichannel platform for debt collections and financial servicing. As a Data Engineer , you'll work directly ...

New

Data Engineer, Data Platform About the Role We are building out our Data Platform team at Sigma ... Startup experience Qualifications We Want (also, skills you'll learn!) * A drive to continuously ...

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

About the Role Join a Y Combinator-backed fintech startup building an AI-powered voice and omnichannel platform for debt collections and financial servicing. As a Data Engineer , you'll work directly ...

New

Data Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$123K - $148K/yr

Open Position - Data Engineer Horizon Surgical Systems Inc. Horizon Surgical Systems Inc. is ... This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-tech startup that is poised to revolutionize ...

Lead Data Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$174K - $230K/yr

Qualifications Required: * 4+ years of professional experience in data engineering, ideally at a high-growth startup or fast-moving team within a larger organization * Hands-on experience with the ...

Sr. Data Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$145K - $220K/yr

Allocate is looking for a Senior Data Engineer to help build out the data infrastructure that ... As a fintech startup on a mission to make investing in top-tier private markets more accessible, we ...

Sr. Data Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · Remote

$134K - $161K/yr

Allocate is looking for a Senior Data Engineer to help build out the data infrastructure that ... As a fintech startup on a mission to make investing in top-tier private markets more accessible, we ...

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$145K/yr

Company Overview Swish Analytics is a sports analytics, betting and fantasy startup building the ... The Swish Analytics team is seeking Data Engineers based in Europe to have a direct impact on the ...

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$160K/yr

Company Overview Swish Analytics is a sports analytics, betting and fantasy startup building the ... The Swish Analytics team is seeking Data Engineers to have a direct impact on the infrastructure ...

Data Engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

... Valley-based startup. Veev has developed a vertically integrated approach that involves ... As a Data Engineer, you will directly enable efficiency, scalability, and data-driven decision ...

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$145K - $190K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Data Engineer to join our engineering team. With our rapid client growth ... Experience working at an early stage startup. * Experience in a HIPAA compliant environment.

Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Data Engineer, Data Platform About the Role We are building out our Data Platform team at Sigma ... Startup experience Qualifications We Want (also, skills you'll learn!) * A drive to continuously ...

Data Engineer

Truckee, CA · Remote

$100K - $200K/yr

As a startup, we are building an engineering culture that is collaborative, innovative, and ... Develop and drive data quality standards, including validation checks, monitoring, and alerting, to ...

Data Engineer

Davis, CA · On-site

$85K - $150K/yr

Who is Elve? Elve, Inc is a deep-tech startup in Davis, CA, specializing in the design and ... The Data Engineer will design and deploy data pipelines and databases, statistical analysis tools ...

Data Engineer

Davis, CA · On-site

$85K - $150K/yr

Who is Elve? Elve, Inc is a deep-tech startup in Davis, CA, specializing in the design and ... The Data Engineer will design and deploy data pipelines and databases, statistical analysis tools ...

Data Engineer

Davis, CA · On-site

$85K - $150K/yr

Who is Elve? Elve, Inc is a deep-tech startup in Davis, CA, specializing in the design and ... The Data Engineer will design and deploy data pipelines and databases, statistical analysis tools ...

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Showing results 1-20

Startup Data Engineer information

What are the typical challenges faced by a startup data engineer, and how is the work environment different from larger companies?

As a Startup Data Engineer, you may encounter unique challenges such as building data systems from scratch, managing ambiguous requirements, and wearing multiple hats due to smaller team sizes. The work environment is often fast-paced and dynamic, with frequent changes in project priorities and high expectations for proactive problem-solving. You’ll likely collaborate closely with engineers, analysts, and founders, gaining hands-on experience with the entire data pipeline and direct influence on core business decisions. This setting offers excellent opportunities for rapid skill growth, creativity, and career advancement, but requires comfort with ambiguity and a strong sense of ownership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a startup data engineer?

To thrive as a Startup Data Engineer, you need strong programming skills (especially in Python or Scala), experience with data modeling, ETL pipelines, and a solid understanding of database management. Proficiency with tools like SQL, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), and frameworks such as Apache Spark or Airflow is typically expected, while data engineering certifications are a plus. Adaptability, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical team members are crucial soft skills in this environment. These attributes are essential for efficiently building data infrastructure and collaborating with fast-moving startup teams to enable data-driven decision-making.

What is a startup data engineer?

A Startup Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data infrastructure in an early-stage company. They work on developing ETL pipelines, managing databases, and ensuring data is accessible and reliable for analytics and machine learning. Unlike in larger companies, they often operate with limited resources, requiring them to balance scalability, cost-efficiency, and speed. They may also take on DevOps and software engineering tasks to support the startup’s evolving data needs. Adaptability and problem-solving skills are crucial in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Startup Data Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Startup Data Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Startup Data Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Startup Data Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Startup Data Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Startup Data Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Startup Data Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution.

Data Engineer

Brevian.ai

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

BREV/AN is at the forefront of revolutionizing how businesses leverage artificial intelligence. Our no-code platform empowers every business team to harness the power of production-grade AI agents, without the need for specialized skills. With BREV/AN, users can effortlessly create, customize, and train AI agents to automate tasks, analyze data, and enhance team productivity. Our commitment to security ensures each agent is equipped with advanced features to protect against prompt injections, redact sensitive information, and refine responses for maximum safety and compliance.
Job title
Data Engineer
Position overview
We are looking for an experienced Data Engineer to join our Engineering team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in developing scalable, high-performance data systems, with a particular focus on enterprise data systems. With our company's growing reliance on cloud technologies, especially AWS, and big data systems, your role will be pivotal in shaping the backbone of our tech infrastructure.
Key responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable, high-availability Data systems.
  • Work closely with the development team to integrate cloud services and solutions, specifically within the AWS ecosystem.
  • Implement and manage big data systems, including but not limited to Kafka, EMR, and data pipelines, to support data-driven decision-making.
  • Ensure the security and integrity of application data in compliance with industry standards.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.
  • Provide technical mentorship to junior team members.

Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
  • 4+ years of experience in working with Data systems and Data pipeline , preferably for enterprise-level applications.
  • Solid experience with big data systems, including Kafka, Apache Airflow, and building data pipelines.
  • Familiarity with data modeling, ETL processes, and data warehousing.
  • Understanding in cloud technologies like AWS (Amazon Web Services) related technologies such as Terraform, ECS, S3, RDS, and Opensearch.
  • Experience with software development lifecycle (SDLC) practices, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, and testing.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs) is a significant plus.
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to tackle issues with innovative solutions.
  • Security background and experience developing secure applications for enterprises is a plus.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and have a growth mindset.

Why BREVIAN?
We are a very well funded seed stage startup. You get to experience the 0-1 of building a startup, working with talented engineers from Databricks, LinkedIn, MoveWorks .
We offer generous compensation, equity, benefits, perks and flexible time off.
This is an exciting opportunity to ensure generative AI delivers tremendous value safely and securely. Please contact us if you have the skills and passion for this position at the cutting edge of AI security.