Database, Network, Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Professionals

How to become a data engineer

Official title: Data engineer

Also called: Senior Data Engineer

Data engineer supports the design, implementation and maintenance of data flow channels and data processing systems that support the collection, storage and real-time processing, and analysis of information in a scalable, repeatable and secure manner. He/she focuses on defining optimal solutions to data collection, processing and warehousing and designs, codes and tests data systems to implement improvements into the internal infrastructure. He/she may also extract valuable insights from datasets to derive actionable insights and recommendations that support business requirements.

Main tasks

Designing and developing database architecture, data structures, models, channels, tables, dictionaries and naming conventions for information systems projects
Designing, constructing, modifying, integrating, implementing and testing database and data warehouse management systems
Conducting research and providing advice on the selection, application and implementation of database and data warehouse management tools

Ways in

University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 4 universities in Singapore

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Generative AI could change many tasks in this job, which usually reshapes the work more than it replaces it, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

How do I become a data engineer?

Ways in include: Engineering degrees.

Will AI change the work of a data engineer?

Generative AI could change many tasks in this job, which usually reshapes the work more than it replaces it, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026