Entry-level data engineer jobs: what the job is, skills and open roles

A data engineer builds the pipelines that move and store data so analysts and scientists can use it. Entry roles maintain and extend existing pipelines.

What a data engineer does

In the data and analytics family of jobs. Roles that collect, clean and explain data.

A typical day

  1. 1. Build and fix data pipelines
  2. 2. Write SQL and Python
  3. 3. Monitor jobs and failures
  4. 4. Test data quality
  5. 5. Document tables

Do you need experience?

Entry-level data engineer jobs exist, but none are open on the career sites we track at this moment, so we cannot say how many ask for experience. Each posting states its own requirements, so read the requirements section before you decide a job is out of reach.

Open entry-level data engineer jobs

Taken from employers’ own career sites and checked to still be open within the last week.

No entry-level data engineer jobs are open on the career sites we track right now. Save a search above and we will email you when one is posted, or search all data engineer jobs, including ones that do not say entry level.

Skills for data engineer jobs

The skills this job uses, most important first. Most can be learned or shown before the first day.

Skills to build or show

  1. 1. SQL
  2. 2. Python
  3. 3. Data modeling basics
  4. 4. Cloud data tools
  5. 5. Git
  6. 6. Debugging

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The market for data engineer work

Every figure names its source.

Open entry-level data engineer jobs
0

Source: NextChapter, checked against employer career sites, last 7 days.

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More jobs like data engineer

Roles that use the same skills, and where this job commonly leads.

Questions about data engineer jobs

What does a data engineer do?
A data engineer builds the pipelines that move and store data so analysts and scientists can use it. Entry roles maintain and extend existing pipelines. A typical day includes: build and fix data pipelines; write SQL and python; monitor jobs and failures; test data quality; document tables.
Can I get an entry-level data engineer job with no experience?
Entry-level data engineer jobs exist, but none are open on the career sites we track at this moment, so we cannot say how many ask for experience. Each posting states its own requirements, so read the requirements section before you decide a job is out of reach.
What skills do you need to be a data engineer?
The skills this job uses most are SQL, python, data modeling basics, cloud data tools, git, debugging. Most can be learned before the first day through coursework, short courses, practice or a related job.
Where can a data engineer job lead?
People in this job commonly move to data analyst, software developer, DevOps or cloud engineer, business analyst. The link between jobs is the shared skills; the path is not guaranteed and depends on the employer.

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