NexlintoPrincipal Data Engineer
Company : Stryker
Location : San Carlos, CA, 94070
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
Mastery of SQL, Python, and distributed data processing frameworks is essential for a Principal Data Engineer in San Carlos. Additionally, expertise in designing scalable data pipelines and familiarity with cloud-based platforms like AWS or Azure greatly enhance performance in this role.
Principal Data Engineers typically lead strategic data initiatives and mentor teams, positioning themselves for leadership roles such as Data Architect or Engineering Manager. This seniority opens doors to higher-impact projects and broader organizational influence than mid-level positions.
Balancing collaboration across remote and in-office teams can complicate communication and project synchronization. Principal Data Engineers must adapt workflows and leverage cloud tools to maintain data reliability and team alignment in this hybrid environment.
At Stryker, there is a strong emphasis on mission-critical healthcare data systems, requiring engineers to prioritize data security and compliance alongside scalability. This contrasts with other firms where focus might lean more heavily on consumer data or rapid feature deployment.
Proficient communication bridging technical and business perspectives is key, coupled with strategic vision to align data architecture with organizational goals. Mentorship skills and decisiveness in tool adoption foster a productive engineering culture at Stryker.
In San Carlos, CA, Principal Data Engineers can expect compensation typically ranging from $150,000 to $190,000 annually, depending on experience and specific technical expertise, reflecting the area's competitive tech market and cost of living.
Certifications like Google Professional Data Engineer, AWS Certified Big Data, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer are highly regarded in San Carlos, demonstrating advanced skills in cloud data platforms and modern engineering practices.
Given San Carlos's proximity to Silicon Valley, competition is robust for principal-level data engineers. Candidates with leadership experience, deep technical knowledge, and cloud expertise stand out amid a dense talent pool.
They would spearhead building scalable ETL pipelines integrating structured and unstructured healthcare data, optimize data warehouses for reporting, and collaborate with analysts to deliver actionable business intelligence solutions critical to medical innovations.
Principal Data Engineers focus on architectural design, leadership, and strategic decisions, while junior roles emphasize implementing individual components and learning established workflows. The senior role demands broader oversight and proactive problem-solving.