NexlintoPrincipal Data Engineer
Company : Stryker
Location : South San Francisco, CA, 94080
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 in Python, Java, and Scala is vital for a Principal Data Engineer role in South San Francisco. These languages support complex ETL pipelines and data workflows, enabling scalable analytics solutions that meet the region’s high-tech standards and business intelligence demands.
At Stryker, the Principal Data Engineer shapes data infrastructure by leading scalable platform design and governance frameworks. This role ensures data solutions align with business goals, fostering innovation within healthcare technology through expert system optimization and cross-team collaboration.
Certifications like Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer or AWS Certified Big Data Specialty are highly valued in South San Francisco. They demonstrate proficiency in cloud data architectures, which is crucial given the city's tech ecosystem and Stryker’s emphasis on modern data stacks.
Expect a dynamic environment balancing technical leadership with hands-on system design. Challenges include optimizing distributed data systems, ensuring compliance, and mentoring teams, all while delivering mission-critical data solutions under tight deadlines in a hybrid work setting.
While both roles command high demand, Principal Data Engineers often have broader influence over data infrastructure and scalability, paving paths into engineering leadership. Conversely, Principal Data Scientists focus deeper on modeling and analytics. South San Francisco rewards both with competitive advancement opportunities.
Principal Data Engineers in South San Francisco typically earn between $160,000 and $210,000 annually. Salaries reflect the role’s seniority, technical expertise in big data platforms, and the high cost of living in the Bay Area’s competitive job market.
Stryker’s commitment to healthcare innovation means their Principal Data Engineers tackle high-impact projects requiring robust, compliant data systems. The company fosters collaboration, pushing engineers to integrate cutting-edge technologies while maintaining stringent data quality standards.
South San Francisco’s dense tech landscape demands rapid adaptation to evolving data tools and compliance with stringent industry regulations. Leadership roles require balancing technical depth with strategic vision to maintain competitive advantage amid intense local hiring competition.
Beyond SQL and Python, cultivating expertise in distributed processing frameworks like Apache Spark, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP), and data pipeline orchestration tools is essential. Leadership skills and the ability to translate complex requirements into scalable solutions are equally critical.
Hybrid work fosters flexible collaboration but requires enhanced communication skills to coordinate across remote and in-office teams. Principal Data Engineers at Stryker leverage digital tools to maintain alignment on data architecture projects while ensuring timely delivery.