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Data Engineer Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a
job, review our list of top Data Engineer interview questions and
answers.
1.​What are the essential qualities of a data engineer? See answer
2.​Why did you choose to become a data engineer? See answer
3.​What is the difference between a data engineer and a data
architect? See answer
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10 Data Engineer Interview Questions and
Answers
What are the essential qualities of a data engineer?
This question helps you to understand a candidate’s understanding of
the data engineer role. The candidate’s answer will also provide insight
into their skill set so you can decide whether they will be a right fit for
the company.
What to seek in an answer:
●​ Display of interpersonal skills
●​ Knowledge of the role and responsibilities
●​ Articulation while explaining the qualities
Example:
A data engineer should be able to plan distributed systems and data
stores, create reliable pipelines, and combine data sources efficiently.
They should also be able to collaborate with team members and
employees across departments. As a data engineer, I have always
striven to develop my computational abilities alongside nurturing
leadership and critical thinking skills, and I can utilise this holistic skill
set to benefit your organisation.
Why did you choose to become a data engineer?
As an employer, you should hire passionate employees who love what
they do. This question aims to determine whether the candidates are
invested in their work and strives to excel in their role. Also, you can
understand the candidate’s background and decide whether or not they
are well-suited for your organisation.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Enthusiasm for the role
●​ Relevant experience
●​ Commitment
Example:
As someone fascinated with computers who grew up during the IT
revolution, becoming a data engineer was the best way to leverage my
interest professionally. While graduating in computer science, I
developed an interest in data science, so I acquired the necessary
skills and invested myself in this field.
What is the difference between a data engineer and a data
architect?
The goal of this question is to test if the candidate understands the
different roles within the team of a data warehouse. While some of the
responsibilities of a data engineer and a data architect can overlap or
vary depending on the company’s needs or the data maintenance
department, their general duties are still different.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Knowledge of data warehouse operations
●​ Thorough understanding of the data engineer role
●​ Flexible skill set and experience
Example:
In my experience, the roles of a data engineer and a data architect
complement each other. A data architect is responsible for managing
the servers and building the data system architecture of a company. A
data engineer tests and maintains that architecture while ensuring that
the analysts are provided with high-quality and reliable data.
What are some critical frameworks and applications for
data engineers?
This question can help you to evaluate how well the candidate
comprehends the demands of the position and assess their technical
proficiency. The candidate should be specific about their ability and
experience with the different frameworks and programmes they have
used.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Knowledge of different frameworks
●​ Experience and proficiency in using the frameworks
●​ Utility of each framework
Example:
As a data engineer, I am well-versed in Structured Query Language
(SQL), Amazon Web Services, Python, and Hadoop. I also have a
working knowledge of Tableau, Java, and Apache Spark. Being
proficient in many frameworks has made me a more adaptable and
versatile data engineer.
Tell us about the main concept behind the framework of
Apache Hadoop.
The Apache Hadoop is a popular open-source framework used by
many companies worldwide. So, it is essential to know whether your
candidate knows and understands Apache Hadoop so that you can
make the right hire.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Conceptual knowledge of Apache Hadoop
●​ Practical application
●​ Relevant experience
Example:
Apache Hadoop is a framework that helps speed up data processing
without compromising the quality during its distributed processing. It is
based on the Map Reduce algorithm and uses Map and Reduce
algorithms to process huge data sets. Map filters and sorts the data
while Reduce summarises it. Apache Hadoop also achieves scalability
and fault tolerance by implementing Map Reduce and multi-threading.
What are the different design schemas relevant to data
modelling?
A data engineer should have a refined understanding of data
modelling. The candidate should be able to explain the different design
schemas clearly and concisely.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Knowledge of the different design schemas
●​ Understanding of data modelling
●​ Differences between the design schemas
Example:
Data modelling is an essential part of any data warehousing operation.
There are three different design schemas- Star, Snowflake, and
Galaxy. So far, I have been able to use star and snowflake schemas.
The Star schema connects dimension tables to fact tables, while the
Snowflake schema uses a similar fact table and dimension tables with
snowflake-like layers.
How can you increase a business’s revenue by analysing
Big Data?
Analysing Big Data is essential for business growth as it provides
feedback and actionable insights. This question aims to learn how the
candidate can leverage their skill set to contribute to your business’s
revenue.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Uses of Big Data
●​ Utility of Big Data analysis
●​ Business-oriented mindset
Example:
Big Data analysis can increase a business’s revenue by offering
customised suggestions and recommendations using predictive
analysis. Companies can use Big Data analysis to understand
customer needs and launch new products accordingly, thus generating
more revenue.
Tell us about your most challenging project as a data
engineer.

As an employer, it is important to discern if the candidate can

successfully negotiate workplace challenges to deliver high-quality
results. This question helps you learn about the candidate’s
performance while tackling challenging projects.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Professional responsibility and resilience
●​ Quality-oriented work ethic
●​ Collaboration and teamwork
Example:
 In my previous role, I worked as the lead data engineer for a project
that needed more internal support. After my team missed the first
deadline, I met with my project manager to sort out this issue and
propose actionable solutions. This healthy discussion prompted the
company to assign additional personnel to my team, and we completed
the project within the stipulated timeline.
How would you develop a new product as a data
engineer?
A data engineer can prove invaluable in streamlining and guiding new
product development. So, it helps you to know if the candidate
possesses the experience and the know-how to aid product
development.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Fundamental knowledge of product lifecycle
●​ Understanding of the company’s goals
●​ Relevant experience
Example:
While working for my previous employer as a lead data engineer, I
would request the project outline to understand its scope and
requirements. Then, I’d come up with some possible scenarios and
challenges that may arise. Finally, I would use my skills to develop data
tables that will help to guide the product development process.
Do you have any experience training someone in your
field? Tell us about the challenges you faced while doing
so.
Data engineers often need to train co-workers on existing systems or
newly created processes in the workplace. The goal of this question is
to know if the candidate understands the challenges of training
professionals and possesses the capability to do so.
What to look for in an answer:
●​ Interpersonal skills
 ●​ Ability to simplify complex topics
●​ Experience in training individuals
Example:
In my previous company, I introduced a new data analytics system and
trained multiple groups of co-workers on this new process. The task
was challenging as different individuals have varied learning
approaches, and experienced employees are used to approaching data
from their set perspective. So, I had to plan the tr IIaining, so the
workflow wasn’t interrupted while motivating co-workers to accept
alternative possibilities and approaches regarding data analytics