Analytics Engineer
Transforming raw data into analytics-ready models using dbt and SQL
Analytics Engineer is a role in the Data Engineering family. It has 53 skills across 5 levels (from Junior to Principal). 147 skills are mandatory. Key domains: Programming Fundamentals, Backend Development, Database Management.
Technology Stack
Focus by Level
Writing dbt models. SQL transformations. Documenting models. Data quality tests. Working with data warehouse.
Designing analytical models (Star Schema, OBT). Setting up dbt best practices. Metrics layer. Orchestration.
Analytics stack architecture. Semantic layer. Data contracts. Performance optimization. Self-service analytics.
Analytics engineering strategy. Data modeling standards. Coordination with data and product teams. Data governance.
Enterprise analytics architecture. Data mesh analytics. Semantic layer strategy. Industry best practices.
Skill Matrix
53 skills × 5 levels. Click on a cell for details.
AI-Assisted Development
4 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | A | W | A | E | E |
| Cursor IDE | A | W | A | E | E |
| ChatGPT / Claude | A | W | A | E | E |
| Prompt Engineering for Code | A | W | A | E | — |
API & Integration
3 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REST API Design | A | W | A | E | E |
| GraphQL Design | A | W | A | E | E |
| API Documentation | A | W | A | E | E |
Architecture & System Design
1 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System Design Fundamentals | A | W | A | E | E |
Backend Development
4 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Python Web Frameworks | A | W | A | E | E |
| Apache Kafka | A | W | A | E | E |
| Redis | A | W | A | E | E |
| Elasticsearch / OpenSearch | A | W | A | E | E |
Cloud & Infrastructure
4 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Docker | A | W | A | E | E |
| Kubernetes Core | A | W | A | E | E |
| AWS | A | W | A | E | E |
| Network Fundamentals | A | W | A | E | E |
Data Engineering
12 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dbt | A | W | A | E | E |
| Pandas / Polars | A | W | A | E | E |
| SQL-based ETL | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Lake Architecture | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Warehouse Design | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Catalog | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Lineage | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Contracts | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Quality | A | W | A | E | E |
| Apache Airflow | A | W | A | E | E |
| Dagster / Prefect | A | W | A | E | E |
| BI Dashboards | A | W | A | E | E |
Database Management
6 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL | A | W | A | E | E |
| ClickHouse | A | W | A | E | E |
| Database Indexing | A | W | A | E | E |
| Query Optimization | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Modeling & Schema Design | A | W | A | E | E |
| Database Migrations | A | W | A | E | E |
DevOps & CI/CD
1 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Actions / GitLab CI | A | W | A | E | E |
Observability & Monitoring
3 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Logging | A | W | A | E | E |
| Prometheus & Grafana | A | W | A | E | E |
| OpenTelemetry | A | W | A | E | E |
Programming Fundamentals
8 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algorithms & Complexity | A | W | A | E | E |
| Data Structures | A | W | A | E | E |
| OOP & SOLID Principles | A | W | A | E | E |
| Design Patterns | A | W | A | E | E |
| Multithreading | A | W | A | E | E |
| Async Programming | A | W | A | E | E |
| Code Quality & Refactoring | A | W | A | E | E |
| Type Safety & Type Systems | A | W | A | E | E |
Security
2 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OWASP & Application Security | A | W | A | E | E |
| Secure Coding Practices | A | W | A | E | E |
Testing & QA
2 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Testing | A | W | A | E | E |
| Integration Testing | A | W | A | E | E |
Version Control & Collaboration
3 skills| Skills | Jun | Mid | Sen | Lead | Princ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Git Advanced | A | W | A | E | E |
| Code Review | A | W | A | E | E |
| Documentation as Code | A | W | A | E | E |
FAQ
What skills are needed for the Analytics Engineer role?
The Analytics Engineer role requires 53 skills, of which 147 are mandatory. Skills are distributed across 5 levels: from Junior to Principal. See full matrix.
How to advance to the next level in the Analytics Engineer role?
Use the Grade Calculator to assess your current level and get personalized recommendations. The system will show which skills need to be developed for the next level.
What tech stack is used in the Analytics Engineer role?
The stack includes 5 technologies at different levels. SQL, dbt Core, ClickHouse/BigQuery/Snowflake, Git, YAML, Jinja basics, SQL advanced, dbt (macros, packages, tests), ClickHouse/BigQuery, Airflow, Great Expectations, Looker/Metabase, dbt advanced (custom materializations), Semantic layer (MetricFlow/Cube), Data contracts, Data quality frameworks...
How does the community define requirements for the Analytics Engineer role?
Role requirements are shaped by the community through a proposal system. Any member can suggest changes that go through voting and expert review.