Big Data Engineer Skills: Definition And Examples With Tips

Updated 15 September 2023

A big data engineer designs, builds and maintains the infrastructure required to store, process and analyse large and complex data sets. They work with large amounts of structured and unstructured data and develop pipelines to extract, transform and load the data into data storage systems. Learning how big data engineers develop and use the necessary skills for this role can help you prepare for this career path.

In this article, we define big data engineer skills, outline some examples, share steps to improve them, explain ways to apply these skills at the workplace and provide tips to highlight your abilities at various stages of the job application process.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

What Are Big Data Engineer Skills?

Big data engineer skills are the technical competencies required to design, develop, implement and maintain large-scale data processing systems. These systems help store, manage and analyse vast amounts of data, typically generated in real-time, that comes from various sources, including social media, sensors or web applications. The role also involves a strong understanding of distributed systems, data warehousing and cloud computing, as big data solutions are often deployed on the cloud.

Examples Of Big Data Engineer Skills

Here are a few important skills that help big data engineers fulfil their responsibilities effectively:

Data warehousing

Data warehousing is a critical aspect of big data engineering, as it involves working with large data sets. It deals with the design, construction, testing and maintenance of data storage systems. For example, a big data engineer may use Hadoop or Spark to design and build a data warehouse that can store, process and analyse large amounts of data efficiently.

Programming languages

Proficiency in at least one programming language, such as Python, Java or Scala, is crucial for a big data engineer. This skill helps in building and maintaining large-scale data processing pipelines. A big data engineer may use a programming language to write scripts that extract data from various sources, process it and store it in a data warehouse.

Structured Query Language

Structured Query Language (SQL) is a fundamental data engineering skill. It makes queries to large data sets and extracts relevant information. A big data engineer often uses SQL to extract data from a data warehouse and create reports that provide valuable data insights for management.

Data visualisation

Data visualisation is an important skill for big data engineers, as it helps to present complex data sets in a meaningful and easy-to-understand format. Data visualisation involves the use of tools such as Tableau, QlikView and Power BI. This skill enables big data engineers to create charts, graphs and other visualisations to help understand the data and make informed decisions.

Data modelling

Data modelling is a critical aspect of big data engineering and involves designing efficient data structures for large data sets. This may involve creating entity relationship diagrams and data flow diagrams. For example, a big data engineer may use data modelling to design a data warehouse optimised for storing, retrieving and analysing large amounts of data.

Machine learning

Machine learning is a valuable skill for big data engineers, as it involves using algorithms to make predictions based on large data sets. Tools such as TensorFlow, scikit-learn and PyTorch are useful in this regard. This skill helps big data engineers to build predictive models that make informed decisions based on the data.

Continuous integration and delivery

Big data engineers have experience with continuous integration and delivery processes, which are essential for delivering high-quality big data solutions. These processes help them automate the building, testing and deployment of big data applications. They are also useful for improving knowledge of related tools such as Jenkins.

How To Improve Your Skills As A Big Data Engineer?

To become an effective big data engineer, consider the following steps:

1. Stay up to date with emerging technologies

As a big data engineer, staying current with the latest emerging technologies is essential. The field of big data is continually evolving, and new tools, techniques and methodologies are regularly introduced. Keeping up with emerging technologies ensures that you are using the most efficient and effective tools to handle and process data. Attending conferences, webinars and workshops offers you opportunities to learn about new technologies, network with other professionals and share your knowledge. Additionally, you can follow industry blogs, participate in online forums and read technical articles and white papers to keep up with the latest trends.

2. Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills allow a big data engineer to handle large volumes of data, identify patterns and trends and extract meaningful insights. To develop these skills, you can start by working on small projects and gradually increase the complexity of your work. To become an effective problem solver, you can develop a systematic approach to analysing and solving problems. This involves breaking down complex issues into smaller, more manageable components, identifying the root cause of the problem and generating and evaluating potential solutions.

3. Develop strong project management skills

A big data engineer often works on complex projects involving multiple teams. It is helpful to have strong project management skills to ensure that you can complete a project on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of employers. You can improve your project management skills by learning the fundamentals, such as project planning, scheduling, budgeting and risk management.

You can also practise your skills by leading small projects and gradually increasing the complexity of your work. For example, you can lead a small project that involves building a data processing system for a client. You can create a project plan, set milestones and allocate resources to ensure that you complete the project on time and within budget.

Big Data Engineer Skills In The Workplace

Big data engineers play a crucial role in managing and analysing large volumes of data to help businesses make data-driven decisions. Here are some ways you can apply your skills in the workplace:

Designing and implementing data architectures: Develop and maintain data architectures that support data ingestion, storage, processing and analysis.
Building and maintaining data pipelines: Design and build data pipelines that collect, transform and load data from various sources into data storage systems.
Developing data models and algorithms: Create data models and algorithms that allow businesses to extract valuable insights from their data.
Ensuring data security and privacy: Implement security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with data protection laws and regulations.
Collaborating with cross-functional teams: Work with other teams, such as data scientists, business analysts and software engineers, to develop and deploy data solutions that meet business requirements.

How To Highlight Big Data Engineer Skills?

When applying for a big data engineer role, highlighting the relevant skills can improve your chances of getting the job. Here are some ways you can do this:

Skills for a resume

Your resume includes a clear and concise summary of your skills and work experience. Use bullet points to highlight your technical skills, such as experience with Hadoop, Spark and other big data tools. Emphasise your expertise in data analysis, data visualisation and data modelling. If you have experience in cloud computing, mention it here. Highlight your accomplishments as a big data engineer on your resume. Include specific examples of how you have used your skills to solve complex problems or improve business outcomes. Use quantitative data to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Skills for a cover letter

Here you can provide more detail about your qualifications as a big data engineer. Use your cover letter to explain how your skills and experience make you the ideal candidate. Be sure to mention specific projects you have worked on that demonstrate your skills in big data engineering.

Also, focus on your ability to solve complex problems and work collaboratively with others. Use examples to demonstrate your ability to analyse and interpret large datasets. Mention your experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence or other related technologies. Finally, explain why the position interests you and what you hope to achieve in this role.

Skills for a job interview

This is a chance to discuss your experience with big data technologies and your problem-solving skills. Use examples to demonstrate your data analysis, modelling and visualisation expertise. Talk about your experience with big data tools such as Hadoop, Spark and NoSQL databases.

In addition, discuss your experience working with cloud computing technologies. Talk about how you have used these technologies to support big data projects. Finally, emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with others and your passion for solving complex problems using data.