Defining a Data Engineer

A data engineer is defined as someone who manages the data lifecycle, integrating roles involving security, orchestration, and architecture, among others. This role is essential in bridging the gap between raw data and its practical applications, serving the needs of stakeholders like analysts and data scientists. The distinction between data engineering and software engineering lies in their focus; data engineers concentrate on data management and transformation, while software engineers typically build applications for end-users. As data use cases evolve, the lines between these roles may become increasingly blended, reflecting the growing importance of data in modern applications.