> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1919094-principal-data-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1919094-principal-data-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Data Engineer - **Company:** Salesforce.com, Inc. - **Location:** San Francisco, CA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $197,300.0 - $313,700.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence, Airflow, Cloud Database, Software Quality, Continuous Integration, Data Architecture, Information Engineering, Data Governance, Data Infrastructure, Data Systems, Distributed Systems, Python (Programming Language), Software Construction, Software Engineering, Data Streaming, Systems Architecture, Large Language Models, Git, Event Driven Architecture, AI Platforms, Information Technology, Data Lineage, Production Code, Data Analytics, Performance Monitor, Data Management, Data Lakehouse, Data Pipelines, Sql Tuning, Docker - **Published:** August 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/17806456?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F17806456%2FPrincipal-Data-Engineer-California-San-Francisco ## About the Role * Proven Experience: 7+ years of hands-on data engineering experience building complex, enterprise-scale data platforms, distributed systems, and real-time data pipelines. Must have a track record of actively shipping production code alongside architectural leadership. * Systems Architecture & Data Engineering: Mastery of modern distributed computing, data lakehouse architectures, and cloud data warehouses, alongside deep expertise in orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow, Dagster). * AI & Agentic Infrastructure: Demonstrated experience engineering data systems for LLMs, agentic workflows, feature stores, or vector retrieval pipelines. You build the data plumbing that makes AI systems fast, accurate, and scalable. * Software Engineering Mastery: Expert proficiency in Python, Scala, or Java, alongside expert-level SQL tuning and deep familiarity with software engineering best practices (Docker, Git, CI/CD, IaC). * Technical Foundation: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical impact). * Architectural Influence: Strong communication skills with a proven track record of distilling complex system architecture decisions into clear business trade-offs for technical and non-technical executives alike. ## Description As a Principal Data Engineer for AgentExchange, you will serve as the chief data architect and technical authority powering our next-generation product analytics and AI platform. In this high-leverage position, you will design, scale, and maintain the enterprise-grade data infrastructure, real-time pipelines, and feature stores that feed both high-stakes decision systems and autonomous AI agents. Operating on the front lines alongside decision scientists, software engineers, and product leaders, you will transform high-volume data streams into pristine, reliable, and high-performing technical foundations., * Data Architecture & Strategy: Architect, build, and scale the foundational data platforms, lakehouses, and high-throughput pipelines that power AgentExchange product analytics, metrics, and agentic workflows. * Agentic Infrastructure & Orchestration: Design and deploy production-grade data pipelines, feature stores, and event-driven architectures that enable autonomous AI agents to operate reliably at enterprise scale. * Platform Excellence & Reliability: Establish end-to-end data governance, quality frameworks, lineage tracking, and performance monitoring to ensure zero-downtime reliability for mission-critical data assets. * Cross-Functional Engineering Leadership: Serve as the principal technical authority on data architecture, partnering seamlessly with decision scientists, software engineers, and product managers to translate complex business needs into elegant technical systems. * Technical Roadmap Ownership: Co-own the long-term data technology roadmap for AgentExchange, anticipating scale bottlenecks and driving architectural evolution ahead of product growth. * Mentorship & Engineering Rigor: Elevate the engineering bar across Cloud Analytics by establishing standards for code quality, testing, CI/CD, and system design, while mentoring engineers across the broader organization. ## Related Videos - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [AI Model Management Life Circles: ML Ops For Generative AI Models From Research to Deployment](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1152-ai-model-management-life-circles-ml-ops-for-generative-ai-models-from-research-to-deployment) - [Docker build without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100114-docker-build-without-docker) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [Making Data Warehouses Fast: A Developer’s Story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/107-making-data-warehouses-fast-a-developer-s-story) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift)