what is a data engineer?
As a data engineer, you are responsible for designing and building systems for collecting, storing, and analysing data. Businesses have a wealth of information at their fingertips, but data needs to be collected before it is useful. Even collecting it presents problems as there is so much of it. Your job is to take care of these problems. You build systems and methods to effectively collect the raw data that your organisation needs to draw valuable insights. You then develop ways to extract insights from the data so the organisation can benefit from them. The data in question comes from a wide variety of sources. You access and organise it appropriately.
Being a data engineer requires confidence in your ability to design systems and a tendency towards perfectionism. Small problems at the design stage can lead to much bigger problems once your systems are in use. Your technical skills enable you to create these systems. You could find yourself dealing with sensitive data, such as customer details and other information protected by various laws and regulations.
If working as a data engineer sounds like the role for you, keep reading to learn more about the skills, qualifications and pay you can expect in this profession.
view jobsaverage salary of a data engineer
According to Payscale, the average data engineer in India earns approximately ₹869,893 per year. The range is wide, however, as the lowest earners in the profession can earn as little as ₹393,000 per year, while the highest earners can take home as much as ₹2,000,000 per year. There are several factors that affect how much you earn as a data engineer.
factors that affect data engineer's pay
The most significant factor in how much you will earn as a data engineer will be your qualifications and previous professional experience. Coming into the role fresh out of education will likely result in an entry-level salary, while years of experience will see you move higher up the pay scale.
The geographical location of the role can also impact your pay. For example, in Bangalore, Karnataka, data engineers earn, on average ₹100,000 more per year than data engineers in Pune, Maharashtra. It's also worth noting that there are variables to factor into your total pay. For example, commission, bonuses, and profit-sharing agreements can all affect how much you make from one year to the next.
types of data engineer
Most data engineers perform the same type of function across different industries. However, some data engineers specialise in the type of work they do. It's worth noting that this is more of a preference than a specialism. Employers may be looking for a certain expertise when hiring, but the underlying technical skills are required regardless of the type of data engineer. Here are some of the main types:
- Big data engineer: as the name suggests, big data engineers work more with huge volumes of data. All data engineers work with a lot of data, of course, but big data engineers typically work with data on the scale of millions or even billions of people.
- Data analyst: a data analyst is technically a whole different profession from a data engineer, but there is some overlap, and the two jobs are often confused with one another. Data analysts are more business-oriented and approach data from the perspective of how it can help an organisation achieve its goals. Data engineers approach data from the technical side of handling the fundamental aspects of data collection and storage.
- Data architect: data architects specialise in data storage architecture. This aspect of data engineering is important in making efficient use of the data, which is a critical aspect of dealing with data in such large volumes.
working as a data engineer
As a data engineer, you design and create the tools used to collect, store, and analyse large volumes of data, but this role has many specific components.
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duties and responsibilities
The specific duties of a data engineer include:
- design and build data collection tools: data must be collected before anything useful can be done with it. You are responsible for designing and building the means to do that. You take into account the collection opportunities at your organisation's disposal and adhere to any relevant regulations regarding data collection.
- metadata management: metadata is critical to the proper use of a large quantity of data as it describes what that data is. The proper maintenance of metadata repositories is a key role of a data engineer.
- data modelling: this aspect of a data engineer's role concerns the visualisation of the data structure in your system. These models are invaluable when creating new databases or explaining problems to non-specialists.
- testing: if data systems contain flaws, it can lead to large-scale errors. You are responsible for carrying out testing to ensure things work the way they are supposed to.
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work environment
As a data engineer, you will spend most of your time working at a computer. The placement of that computer can vary, as there is no need for a data engineer to work in a specific location. That means remote working is possible at your employer's discretion. You typically work as part of a team, so meetings are part of your job.
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who are your colleagues?
Your immediate colleagues in this role will often be other analysts, data analysts, IT technicians, software developers, systems engineers, software engineers and other with different areas of expertise. You also work with other departments and upper management to ensure that your work meets the organisation's needs.
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work schedule
Your schedule as a data engineer is a relatively standard 40-hour week with typical business hours, though overtime is not unheard of in this profession. Some businesses keep different hours than others, and the company's size is also a factor, as some businesses operate round the clock.
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job outlook
If you decide to pursue a career in data engineering, your prospects are very good. Data engineering is one of the fastest-growing tech jobs. In terms of progression, you could move into leadership roles in data engineering or other data science projects.
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advantages of finding a data engineer job through randstad
Finding your data engineer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid on a monthly basis
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a data engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the academic qualifications for data engineers include:
- bachelor's degree: to get into this profession, you should have at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, such as computer science.
- master's degree: as with many tech jobs, having a master's degree is not necessarily a requirement, but it can boost your chances of being hired.
- proficiency with relevant systems: proficiency in coding languages like Python will help your chances of being hired.
skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a data engineer include:
- attention to detail: small mistakes early on in the process can cause big problems later on, so excellent attention to detail is important when you are modelling, designing, and building your data systems.
- communication skills: you work closely with your team and liaise with other departments in your organisation. Your communication skills enable you to share information with specialists and non-specialists.
- problem-solving: great problem-solving skills serve you well in finding your way around the challenges of this job. For instance, identifying the correct system structure to meet your company's needs relies on working out which issues your design should address.
FAQs about working as a data engineer
FAQs about working as an data engineer:
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is data engineering a good career in India?
Being a data engineer is currently one of the most in-demand jobs in India. With the growing importance of data in all types of modern business, data engineers are likely to be in high demand for a long time.
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do I need a degree to become a data engineer?
A data engineer's primary job is to prepare data for operational use within an organisation and build the systems responsible for collecting and storing that data.
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how can I become a data engineer in India?
Becoming a data engineer in India will require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, such as computer science. Any experience you can gain will also help.
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what is the monthly salary of a data engineer in India?
The monthly pay of a typical data engineer in India is around ₹72,500. However, that can vary significantly depending on experience and other factors, such as bonuses.
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how do I apply for a data engineer vacancy?
Applying for a data engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
