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Startup Data Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$118K - $141K/yr

About The Role We are seeking a Data Engineer to design, build, and maintain the data pipelines and ... Growing Startup Culture

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$109K - $148K/yr

Senior Data Engineer External name : Senior Data Engineer Established in 2021, Independence Pet ... Experience designing data platforms at scale in a high-growth or startup environment. * Familiarity ...

Data Engineer (Remote)

Chicago, IL · Remote

$117K - $140K/yr

Key Responsibilities Data Engineering * Design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines for ... Prior startup or growth-stage experience is a strong plus * Prior experience within startups ...

This is a startup environment: you'll wear multiple hats, prioritize ruthlessly, and ship. If you ... Own the data layer: make changes in our internal tool and comfortable enough to work with the ...

... sciences startup applying gut microbiome (GMB) technologies (GutLab, MetaBiome) to advance ... Data Engineering - build & maintain cloud infra: databases, distributed computing workflows & REST ...

Startup Solutions Architect, Startups

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65 - $85.50/hr

The AWS Startup Solutions Architecture team is dedicated to working with these early stage startup ... engineering, infrastructure, security, networking, data & analytics) experience PREFERRED ...

SCADA Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $120K/yr

As a SCADA Engineer , you will develop and support supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA ... Full-service EPCm exposure, from concept through startup, across a diverse client base * Career ...

SCADA Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$85K - $120K/yr

As a SCADA Engineer , you will develop and support supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA ... Full-service EPCm exposure, from concept through startup, across a diverse client base * Career ...

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Showing results 1-20

Startup Data Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$45.8K

$133.6K

$182.9K

How much do startup data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup data engineer in Chicago, IL is $133,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,000.00 and $141,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Startup Data Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Startup Data Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Startup Data Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Startup Data Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Startup Data Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,627 per year, or $64.2 per hour.

Data Engineer

K1X

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$118K - $141K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

We are K1x. Our platform powers the first fully digital K-1, transforming how alternative investment tax data is extracted, validated, distributed, and analyzed. Trusted by leading institutional investors, fund administrators, and accounting firms, K1x replaces manual, error-prone workflows with scalable, intelligent software. k1x.io
As our platform evolves toward deeper analytics, insights, and AI-driven capabilities, data engineering is becoming a foundational pillar of our product and technology strategy. 

About The Role

We are seeking a Data Engineer to design, build, and maintain the data pipelines and infrastructure that power K1x's machine learning initiatives and future analytics-driven product features. 
This role sits at the intersection of Product Engineering, Data, and Machine Learning. You will be responsible for creating reliable, scalable, and high-quality data systems that enable downstream ML models, reporting, and embedded analytics. 

What You'll Do 

- Design, build, and maintain scalable data architectures supporting operational, analytical, and ML workloads. 
- Contribute to the evolution of K1x's data lakehouse strategy, including adoption of Snowflake. 
- Develop and maintain robust ETL/ELT pipelines for large-scale data processing. 
- Implement data quality checks, validation, and monitoring. 
- Enable machine learning workflows with clean, well-structured datasets. 
- Support analytics and reporting use cases including Power BI. 
- Partner with Product, Engineering, and AI teams on data solutions. 

Requirements

Who You Are 

- 4-8+ years of experience in data engineering or backend engineering with a data focus. 
- Strong experience building data pipelines and ETL/ELT workflows. 
- Proficiency with SQL and relational data modeling. 
- Experience with cloud-based data platforms (Azure preferred). 
- Understanding of data quality, reliability, and monitoring. 
- Strong communication and collaboration skills. 

It's Truly a Match If You Have 

- An engineering mindset applied to data platforms. 
- Passion for building scalable, reliable data foundations. 
- Interest in enabling ML and analytics-driven products. 
- Experience or familiarity with Snowflake, SQL Server, Azure, and Power BI. 
- Comfort balancing near-term delivery with long-term architecture. 

Benefits

  • Unlimited Vacation Policy+ Sick Time + Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Fully Remote Opportunity
  • Healthcare Benefits and 401K
  • Growing Startup Culture

K1x logo

About K1x

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Software development

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Elk Grove Village, IL, US

Year founded

2022