What does a data engineer do?
A data engineer is someone who makes data science possible. This IT job requires the search for data set trends and algorithm development to make raw data more beneficial to the enterprise. Data engineers are responsible for establishing and maintaining an environment that permits other data functions. The necessary skills for the job include in-depth knowledge of multiple programming languages and SQL database design. Among the other skills data engineers should develop include data warehousing and architecture, data mining and modeling, and statistical regression analysis.
Data engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real data engineer resumes:
- Used SQOOP to import the data from RDBMS to HDFS to achieve the reliability of data.
- Develop automation scripts in python to automate the test, analyze, plot and report the results.
- Used Linux shell scripts to automate the build process, and to perform regular jobs like file transfers between different hosts.
- Increase audit efficiency by developing SAS programs to automate manual testing procedures.
- Used Teradata database management system to manage the warehousing operations and parallel processing.
- Configure and manage JobScope ERP system for a make-to-order/make-to-stock design and manufacturing environment.
- Develop SSRS reports base solution for the SSAS database documentation and data warehouse data dictionary.
- Web pages include Java-scripts, CSS, and HTML.
- Eclipse core java application programming.
- Used DataFrame API in Scala for converting the distributed collection of data organize into named columns.
- Experience in importing and exporting data into HDFS and assist in exporting analyze data to RDBMS using SQOOP.
- Develop SSAS multidimensional cubes using the data warehouse.
- Experience in defining OOZIE job flows.
- Involve in database connection by using SQOOP.
- Eclipse is used as an IDE for development.
Data engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Data Engineers are proficient in Python, Java, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Problem-solving skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Data Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 12%
Developed fuzzy-text matching program in Python to identify and eliminate redundancy on county instruments.
- Java, 9%
Configured and optimized the Cassandra cluster and developed real-time java based application to work along with the Cassandra database.
- Cloud, 5%
Worked with Amazon Web Services (AWS)cloud infrastructure services and involved in ETL, Data Integration and Migration.
- ETL, 5%
Designed ETL architecture and architecture documents and mapping documents.
- Scala, 4%
Used SCALA to store streaming data to HDFS and to implement Spark for faster processing of data.
- Kafka, 4%
Designed and configured Kafka cluster to accommodate heavy throughput messages per second.
Most data engineers use their skills in "python," "java," and "cloud" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential data engineer responsibilities here:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a data engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what data engineers do because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Additionally, a data engineer resume shows how data engineers use creativity: "analyze and troubleshoot dealership inventory issues within an oracle and sql server environment. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform data engineer duties is problem-solving skills. Data engineers responsibilities require that "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." Data engineers also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided solution in development of mapreduce jobs using java. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for data engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how data engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a data engineer: "produced dashboards, detail and summary reports that showed visualization of work in progress and quality status of data resources. ".
Analytical skills. For certain data engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "analytical skills." The day-to-day duties of a data engineer rely on this skill, as "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what data engineers do: "generated reports based on the data to present relevant metrics to executives using tableau for visualization and better understanding. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for data engineer responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of data engineers all the time, as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." An excerpt from a real data engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a data engineer does: "developed a scala library that allowed typesafe communication between r and scala.developed a spark application that produced weather normalized electricity consumption. "
The three companies that hire the most data engineers are:
- Amazon1,189 data engineers jobs
- Deloitte1,155 data engineers jobs
- The Independent Traveler1,084 data engineers jobs
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Compare different data engineers
Data engineer vs. Hadoop developer
A Hadoop developer specializes in designing and developing Hadoop applications that attend to a company's data storage needs. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, creating drafts and frameworks, isolating and monitoring data, creating test structures, and coming up with data tracking and security systems. They must also make back-up plans, troubleshoot and resolve issues, and produce regular progress reports. Moreover, a Hadoop developer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a data engineer are more likely to require skills like "cloud," "data analytics," "redshift," and "power bi." On the other hand, a job as a hadoop developer requires skills like "cloudera," "hadoop mapreduce," "hive queries," and "aws." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Hadoop developers earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $103,697. On the other hand, data engineers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $125,579.On average, hadoop developers reach similar levels of education than data engineers. Hadoop developers are 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Data engineer vs. Senior systems software engineer
A senior systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that data engineer responsibilities requires skills like "cloud," "scala," "kafka," and "nosql." But a senior systems software engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "software development," "architecture," "c," and "c++."
Senior systems software engineers earn a higher average salary than data engineers. But senior systems software engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $125,048. Additionally, data engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $125,579 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior systems software engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than data engineers. In fact, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for data engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Data engineer vs. Senior software development engineer
A senior software development engineer specializes in leading the efforts in designing and developing software and information systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing existing computer systems, conducting regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting, testing new designs, and performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of operations, improving them to achieve optimal performance. Furthermore, as a senior software development engineer, it is essential to monitor and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, data engineers are more likely to have skills like "cloud," "scala," "kafka," and "nosql." But a senior software development engineer is more likely to have skills like "software development," "web services," "scrum," and "database."
Senior software development engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $134,736. On the other hand, data engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $125,579.Most senior software development engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to data engineers. For example, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Data engineer vs. Software engineer-consultant
A software engineer consultant develops and recommends strategies to optimize a company's software engineering operations. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis to find new opportunities, performing software evaluations and risk assessments, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, and developing solutions against problem areas. Through the findings of their research, a software engineer consultant draws conclusions and recommendations that will help the company to reach their short and long-term goals and resolve issues or concerns.
Types of data engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
