Data Engineer
What's it like to be a Data Engineer?
Data Engineers design and build technical software and computing systems that help a business or organisation gather, sort and manage data. Different types of workplaces have different data collection and analysis needs, and Data Engineers create and manage the backend infrastructure that’s needed when working with data. Data Engineers need to have up-to-date knowledge of software engineering and coding. A Data Engineer role tends to be a more specialist and experienced than a Data Analyst or Data Scientist role and involves the design of data systems rather than the interpretation of that data.
Tasks and duties
- Developing, constructing, testing and maintaining data architectures.
- Analysing and interpreting large data sets.
- Aligning data access and presentation to business requirements.
- Using a range of programming languages and data analysis tools.
- Using data to increase efficiency and illustrate and achieve business goals.
- Building tools for easier data access and interpretation.
- Conducting data analysis and preparing reports.
- Testing and deploying advanced data analysis tools and techniques such as algorithms and machine learning.
How to become a Data Engineer
Data Engineering is a specialised profession and most Data Engineers have at least a bachelor degree in computer science, or something similar.
Complete a degree in computer science, information science, software engineering, or a related subject from a university. This usually takes three years of full-time study.
Consider completing a masters degree in the field, specialising in data engineering or data science. An advanced degree isn’t always necessary, but it’ll equip you with more specialist skills.
Alternatively, gain work experience as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist. From these related jobs you can gain the skills and knowledge needed to work as a Data Engineer.
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