NexlintoPrincipal Data Engineer
Company : Stryker
Location : Los Altos, CA, 94024
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 17 February 2026
Job Description
The Principal Data Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, building, and optimizing large-scale data systems and architectures that support analytics, reporting, and business intelligence initiatives. This role sets technical direction for data engineering practices, ensures data reliability and scalability, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality data solutions. The ideal candidate is highly experienced in data architecture, distributed systems, and modern data platforms.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and architect scalable data pipelines, data warehouses, and data platforms
- Lead development of ETL/ELT processes for structured and unstructured data sources
- Establish data engineering standards, best practices, and governance frameworks
- Optimize performance, reliability, and scalability of data infrastructure
- Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to define data requirements
- Evaluate and implement new tools, technologies, and architectures
- Ensure data quality, integrity, security, and compliance with regulations
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams
- Troubleshoot complex data issues and implement long-term solutions
- Document data architecture, workflows, and system designs
Success Factors:
- Expert-level data engineering and system design skills
- Strong leadership and strategic thinking abilities
- Ability to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical capabilities
- Strong communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
Required Skills:
- Advanced proficiency in SQL and programming languages such as Python, Java, or Scala
- Experience with big data technologies and distributed processing frameworks
- Strong knowledge of data modeling, warehousing, and database design
- Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern data stack tools
- Experience with workflow orchestration and pipeline automation
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field required
- 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or related roles
- Proven track record of leading complex data platform initiatives
- Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical teams
- Master’s degree or relevant certifications preferred
Physical Requirements:
- Primarily sedentary work involving extended computer use
- Ability to attend meetings, technical reviews, and planning sessions
- Occasional travel may be required
Work Environment:
Professional office or hybrid environment involving collaboration with engineering, analytics, and product teams. The role may include high-impact decision-making, tight deadlines, and responsibility for mission-critical data systems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
At Stryker, the Principal Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in steering data architecture and engineering practices. Located in Los Altos, CA, this position influences scalable data pipelines and integrates cross-team data solutions that empower healthcare innovations and business intelligence.
Stryker’s collaborative environment in Los Altos fosters innovation and precision, demanding that Principal Data Engineers not only excel technically but also mentor teams and align data systems with healthcare standards, ensuring mission-critical data reliability and compliance.
A senior Principal Data Engineer typically brings over eight years of experience, advanced skills in distributed data systems, and leadership in complex data platform projects. Mastery in SQL, Python or Java, plus strategic vision for scalable architectures, distinguishes this position from junior or mid-level roles.
Many Principal Data Engineers evolve from roles like senior data engineers or data architects. Gaining expertise in big data technologies, cloud platforms, and leadership experience accelerates progression toward principal-level opportunities in tech hubs such as Los Altos.
Daily challenges include designing fault-tolerant data pipelines, resolving complex ETL issues, ensuring data security, and harmonizing multi-source data integration. Keeping pace with evolving technologies while mentoring teams adds to the dynamic workload.
Los Altos, located in Silicon Valley, hosts a highly competitive market for advanced data roles. Demand for Principal Data Engineers is robust but candidates must demonstrate exceptional technical leadership and familiarity with cutting-edge cloud and big data tools to stand out.
Principal Data Engineers in Los Altos typically command salaries between $160,000 and $210,000 annually, reflecting the region’s tech-driven economy and the role’s seniority. Total remuneration often includes bonuses and equity components.
Certifications like Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty, and Databricks Certified Data Engineer are highly regarded in Bay Area firms. They signal advanced proficiency in cloud-native data architectures and distributed processing.
Stryker emphasizes integrating modern data stacks with healthcare compliance and security requirements. Their Principal Data Engineers optimize data workflows for medical analytics, balancing innovation with strict regulatory adherence uncommon in many tech-only firms.
Beyond technical expertise, Stryker’s Principal Data Engineer role offers mentorship of engineering teams and strategic input on data governance frameworks. This leadership extends to cross-functional collaboration that drives healthcare product advancements.