Citizen Data Engineer

On our live show today with Vinay Samuel & Kent Graziano — we talked about the NEW modern data stack. Vinay mentioned the rise of the citizen data engineer as a role in the data space. I wanted to talk a bit about this role.

Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash

A citizen data engineer is a type of data engineer who is not necessarily a full-time member of the data engineering team, but who has the skills and knowledge to contribute to data engineering tasks as needed. Citizen data engineers often come from other departments within the organization and may have expertise in a specific area, such as marketing or finance, that allows them to bring a unique perspective to the data engineering process.

Citizen data engineers may be responsible for tasks such as data cleansing, data transformation, and data integration, and they may work with tools like SQL, Python, and ETL (extract, transform, load) platforms. They may also be involved in the design and implementation of data pipelines and data lakes.

The role of a citizen data engineer can be valuable in organizations that do not have a dedicated data engineering team, as it allows for more flexibility and allows for the expertise of non-technical employees to be utilized. However, it is important for organizations to ensure that citizen data engineers have the necessary training and support to be effective in their roles.

Some of the specific tasks that a citizen data engineer might be responsible for include:

• Extracting, transforming, and loading data from a variety of sources, including databases, API’s, and files
• Designing and implementing data storage and processing solutions, such as data lakes, data warehouses, and streaming platforms
• Building and maintaining data pipelines and ETL processes using programming languages and tools such as SQL, Python, and Apache Beam
• Analyzing data to identify trends and patterns, and using this knowledge to improve data pipelines and processes
• Collaborating with data scientists, data analysts, and other stakeholders to understand their data needs and ensure that they have the data they need to do their jobs effectively

To be a successful citizen data engineer, you will need a strong foundation in computer science and data engineering concepts, as well as experience with programming languages and data processing tools. You should also have strong problem-solving and communication skills, as you will be working with a variety of stakeholders and will need to be able to explain technical concepts to non-technical people.

To become a citizen data engineer, you will typically need to have a strong foundation in computer science and data engineering concepts, as well as experience with programming languages and data processing tools. Here are some steps you can take to pursue this career path:

1. Build your skills: To be a successful citizen data engineer, you will need a strong foundation in computer science and data engineering concepts. This includes knowledge of programming languages such as SQL and Python, as well as experience with data processing tools such as Apache Beam and ETL frameworks. You can gain these skills through a combination of formal education (such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field) and hands-on experience.
2. Gain practical experience: In addition to building your knowledge and skills, it’s also important to get practical experience working with data. This could involve completing internships, participating in hackathons or other data-focused events, or working on personal projects that involve analyzing and manipulating data.
3. Network and build your professional network: Building relationships with other professionals in the data engineering community can be a great way to learn about job openings, get advice and support, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field. Consider joining professional organizations, attending industry events, and connecting with other data engineers on LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms.
4. Seek out relevant job opportunities: Once you have the skills and experience necessary to be a citizen data engineer, it’s time to start looking for job opportunities. Keep an eye out for openings at companies that are looking for data engineers, and tailor your application materials to highlight your relevant skills and experience.
5. Consider earning relevant certifications: Earning a certification in a relevant field, such as data engineering or big data, can help you stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your commitment to your career. There are a number of options available, including certifications offered by organizations such as Cloudera and Databricks.

Here is a hypothetical case study involving a citizen data engineer:

Imagine that a healthcare organization has recently implemented a new electronic medical records (EMR) system. As part of this rollout, they have hired a citizen data engineer to design and build the data pipelines that will enable them to extract, transform, and load data from the EMR system into a data lake for analysis.

The citizen data engineer’s first task is to work with the EMR vendor to understand the data schema and structure of the EMR system, and to determine the most efficient way to extract the data. They then use this information to design and implement a data pipeline using a combination of SQL and Python, including scripts to extract data from the EMR system and load it into the data lake.

Once the data pipeline is in place, the citizen data engineer works with data analysts and data scientists within the organization to ensure that they have the data they need to perform their analyses. They also monitor the data pipeline to ensure that it is running smoothly and efficiently, and make any necessary improvements or optimizations as needed.

The citizen data engineer plays a key role in enabling the healthcare organization to effectively store, process, and analyze data from their EMR system, which in turn allows them to make more informed decisions and improve patient care.

Here is another hypothetical example of a use case for a citizen data engineer:

Imagine that a retail company has recently implemented a new customer relationship management (CRM) system and is looking to improve their understanding of customer behavior and preferences. They have hired a citizen data engineer to design and build the data pipelines that will enable them to extract, transform, and load data from the CRM system into a data warehouse for analysis.

The citizen data engineer’s first task is to work with the CRM vendor to understand the data schema and structure of the CRM system, and to determine the most efficient way to extract the data. They then use this information to design and implement a data pipeline using a combination of SQL and Python, including scripts to extract data from the CRM system and load it into the data warehouse.

Once the data pipeline is in place, the citizen data engineer works with data analysts and data scientists within the organization to ensure that they have the data they need to perform their analyses. They also monitor the data pipeline to ensure that it is running smoothly and efficiently, and make any necessary improvements or optimizations as needed.

Overall, the citizen data engineer plays a key role in enabling the retail company to effectively store, process, and analyze data from their CRM system, which in turn allows them to make more informed decisions about how to engage with and serve their customers.

What’s the difference between a citizen data engineer vs. data engineer?

Citizen data engineer and data engineer are often used interchangeably to refer to professionals who are responsible for designing, building, maintaining, and optimizing the data pipelines and infrastructure that enable organizations to effectively store, process, and analyze data. However, the term “citizen data engineer” is sometimes used to refer specifically to data engineers who are also members of the organization’s broader community, such as employees or contractors.

In general, the roles and responsibilities of a citizen data engineer and a data engineer are similar. Both are responsible for designing and implementing data storage and processing solutions, building and maintaining data pipelines, and collaborating with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to understand their data needs and ensure that they have the data they need to do their jobs effectively.

The main difference between a citizen data engineer and a data engineer is typically the scope of their responsibilities and the context in which they operate. Citizen data engineers may have a more holistic understanding of the organization’s data needs and may be more closely integrated into the broader business, while data engineers may have a more specialized focus on the technical aspects of data engineering.

What’s the pay like?

The salary of a citizen data engineer can vary depending on a number of factors, including their level of experience, education, skills, and the specific industry in which they work. According to data from Glassdoor, the average salary for a citizen data engineer in the United States is $110,557 per year. However, this figure can range from as low as $72,000 per year to as high as $150,000 or more, depending on the individual’s qualifications and the job market in their area.

It’s worth noting that salary is just one factor to consider when evaluating job opportunities. Other factors such as the company culture, benefits, and opportunities for growth and development can also be important considerations. It’s important to carefully weigh all of these factors when deciding on a career path or evaluating job offers.