Data & Platform Engineer

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What does a Data & Platform Engineer do?

A Data & Platform Engineer builds and maintains the data infrastructure that enables analytics, machine learning, and AI applications to function in the first place. This role is the invisible yet critical foundation of any AI strategy: without clean data pipelines, well-designed data models, and stable platforms, any AI project remains fragile – no matter how good the models are.

Key responsibilities include designing and operating ETL and ELT pipelines, building a data lakehouse (e.g., using Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery, or an open-source lake architecture), data modeling in tools like dbt, and managing the underlying cloud platform. Data & Platform Engineers define how data enters the organization, how it is structured, how its quality is ensured, and how different teams access it securely and efficiently.

In the AI context, the role expands: feature stores, streaming for real-time ML, data quality metrics for ML training data, and the integration of vector databases are becoming standard. Anyone who wants to scale AI seriously needs Data & Platform Engineers who can conceptualize data lake, data warehouse, streaming, and ML requirements within a coherent architecture.

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Skills and Qualifications for Data & Platform Engineers

On the technical side, we expect in-depth SQL knowledge, proficiency in Python (and ideally Scala or Java), experience with modern data stack tools such as dbt, Airflow, Dagster, or Prefect, as well as a solid understanding of at least one cloud platform (AWS, GCP, Azure), including the respective data services (Redshift, BigQuery, Snowflake, Databricks, Synapse). On the platform side, container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), Infrastructure as Code (Terraform), CI/CD, and monitoring (Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog) are standard.

For real-time requirements, streaming technologies are also used – Kafka, Kinesis, Pub/Sub, Flink, or Spark Streaming. Those working in the areas of Data Mesh or Data Contracts also have experience with data catalogs, schema registries, and domain-driven architecture. In addition to technical skills, architectural thinking is essential. Data & Platform Engineers design structures that must last for years. They understand the trade-offs between performance, cost, governance, and developer velocity, and work closely with analytics, ML, and security teams. Strong documentation and communication skills are just as important in this cross-functional role as deep engineering expertise.

Why Data Engineering Is the Often-Underestimated Bottleneck in AI Setups

Many companies invest heavily in AI use cases without sufficiently strengthening their data foundation. The result: models that deliver inconsistent results because the data is dirty or incomplete; reports that don’t align; and ML pipelines that regularly break because upstream schemas change. Data & Platform Engineers address precisely these problems and that is exactly why their availability is crucial for serious AI initiatives.

In recruiting, the role does not make things easy for companies. Senior Data Engineers with experience in modern tech stacks, dbt, Snowflake, or Databricks, Airflow, Kubernetes, are scarce in the DACH region and highly sought after internationally. At the same time, the range of what falls under the title “Data Engineer” is vast: from ETL specialists with a classic stack to cloud-native platform engineers with a focus on streaming.

Successful hiring therefore starts with a precise job description. Anyone who posts a job listing for “Data Engineer” will receive vague applications. Those who describe in which Lakehouse, with what data volume, what latency requirements, and for which use case the role operates will attract the right candidates.

Key skills

SQL & dimensional data modeling
Python (and possibly Scala/Java)
Modern Data Stack (dbt, Airflow, Dagster, Prefect)
Cloud Data Services (Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Redshift)
Streaming (Kafka, Kinesis, Pub/Sub, Flink, Spark)Kubernetes & Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
Data Quality, Catalog & GovernanceArchitectural thinking & interface expertise

How does alphacoders find Data & Platform Engineers who truly master your tech stack?

During the briefing, we first work with you to clarify the architectural reality: Which data stack is in use, what is the platform’s maturity level, and which use cases are at the top of the roadmap? Only then do we develop the profile, persona, and scorecard and thus a search process based not on buzzwords, but on the skills actually required.

When reaching out directly, we use more than 20 channels. GitHub for engineers active in open-source tools related to dbt, Airflow, or Dagster. LinkedIn and XING for more traditional profiles. Conferences and meetups like data.engineering, dbt-Coalesce communities, or regional data tech gatherings for connected senior professionals. Our proprietary recruiting CRM connects these sources with our 770,000-strong DACH network.

During the technical interview, our tech recruiters, who have development backgrounds, specifically assess architectural understanding, trade-off thinking, and experience in real production environments. That’s exactly where it’s decided whether a person can build pipelines that will still be supporting you in five years, or deliver solutions that will need to be rewritten in twelve months.

Your benefits with alphacoders

Consulting at eye level

Goal-oriented briefing and consulting on an equal footing from start-ups to large digitizing corporations

Large candidate pool

Largest network for developers in the DACH region

Multi channel search

Ongoing development of algorithmized multi-channel search

Tested quality

Superior quality through optimized interview and software-supported selection process

Fast staffing

Swiftness through agile project planning and methodical approach

Experienced recruiters

Credible representation of our partners thanks to recruiters with development know-how

What our partners say about our cooperation

Marco Bofinger

Hr Management - Urban Sports Club

The cornerstone of the cooperation with CareerTeam was an efficient exchange and open, honest feedback. We were very satisfied with their fast and effective search.

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Cornelius Lauritzen

CEO — Glambou

With alphacoders we have found a strong partner for our tech recruiting. The feedback loops were short and efficient. Our company, our tech vision and our requirement profile were quickly understood and implemented. The management of the interview process went fabulous for us as well as for the candidates.

Constanze El Rikabi

Director Human Resources — Ascendis Pharma GmbH

With the help of alphacoders we have succeeded twice in adding the right IT resources to our team. The structured preparation of the candidate search and the alphacoders approach made this possible. In the future, IT recruiting will only run through alphacoders.

Gabi Wegner

People & Relations Manager — MOIA

We really appreciate working with alphacoders because they really have a clue about tech and take time to understand who we need for MOIA and for our individual teams.

Oliver Kühne

CTO — Monsterzeug

Professional and goal-oriented, I would work with alphacoders again at any time. I've recommended them both internally to other departments and to external stakeholders.

Franziska Mehlhorn

Head of People & Organisational Development — Picdrop

We have been working successfully with alphacoders for some time. What I personally like very much is the uncomplicated and personal exchange, as well as the quick occupation time, which has only lasted an average of 3 months so far. alphacoders understands their trade and we are very happy to have them on our team.

Ingo Fraedrich

General Manager — Veterinärmedizinisches Dienstleistungszentrum GmbH

When looking for qualified employees, we like to rely on specialists. They know the market and the target group and can advise accordingly. So it happens that we have been working with alphacoders since February 2020 and have been able to expand our development team several times. We have found the right service provider for us

Dr. Janine Nastelski

People & Culture Manager — Webmatch

Very professional, always transparent and honest cooperation. Extremely good understanding of the market including recommendations for action. Completely different approach than classic recruiting agencies.

Jan Thonemann

Abteilungsleiter Forschung / Entwicklung — PROSOZ

Finding the right people is one of, if not the most key component to an organization's success. At alphacoders it's not about quantity, but about quality. Every candidate that is introduced is always worth talking to and we have already found a lot of great colleagues through alphacoders. The short weekly exchange ensure that your ideas are understood and that you are always up to date.

Tobias Schumacher

CTO & Co-Founder — Closelink

Working with alphacoders was our first experience with a recruiter. We particularly liked the transparent communication and the summary of the search in the form of reports and figures. This helped us to better understand the candidate market and gain deeper insights into recruitment from IT specialists. We can recommend alphacoders 100%.

Susanne Hasenstab

Head of HR - WEITBLICK® GmbH & Co. KG

Last year we worked with alphacoders for the first time. The cooperation was characterised by professional and very personal support, as well as profound contacts within our target group. What was special for us was that we were actually only looking for one PHP developer, but because of the but due to the suitable selection of candidates we directly hired 2 developers and that within only 3 months. We would recommend alphacoders at any time.

Stephanie Werk

Senior Tech Recruiterin - WERTGARANTIE Group

Together with alphacoders, we were looking for and hired a PL/SQL developer. Thanks to the professional support of alphacoders, we were able to fill the position in a very short time. The fact that we worked very closely with the tech recruiters and that we had the same understanding of the market and the special requirements played a major role in our success. We would recommend alphacoders at any time.

Ralf Fohrmann

Head of Human Resources - prophete

Together with alphacoders, we were looking for and hired a NAV developer. The special thing about this was the complexity of the market situation: it is a very special position with a very narrow pool of candidates and a very loyal target group. We solved it through trusting and effective communication and adjustments to the profile. One key was certainly that we opened up for a fully remote position and were thus able to find and successfully recruit the right candidate.

Julius Martini

CEO — TimberTom

We have already commissioned alphacoders twice to support us in tech recruiting and they convinced us with the first candidate for both positions (frontend & fullstack developer). The cooperation was very uncomplicated, at eye level and characterized by direct communication. We are very happy to have alphacoders on our side.

Wiebke Ernst-Ringena

Deputy personnel manager

With the help of alphacoders recruiting experts, we were able to successfully fill several challenging roles in our digitalization, IT and purchasing departments. The collaboration was always characterized by very good advice, open communication and maximum transparency. We are looking forward to the next joint projects with alphacoders!

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Tihomir Sablic

Head of IT - heyworld GmbH

We have been working with alphacoders for more than 2 years now and have had very good experiences so far. The relationship is characterised by trust, solution-oriented advice and open communication at eye level. Through their input, we have already been able to successfully hire 2 backend developers and also rely on their expertise for further tech positions.

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Bianca Potapski

HR Managerin — Soil & More Impacts GmbH

We really enjoyed working with alphacoders, it was a professional collaboration on an equal footing right from the start. alphacoders puts itself very well in the client's position and thanks to the regular agreements it always ran smoothly. We have successfully recruited a senior Phyton developer with alphacoders and would recommend alphacoders to others.

Maik Gronau

CEO - GWA Hygiene

alphacoders has become an integral part of our tech recruiting. We have been working together for over 2 years now and have already been able to successfully fill several different positions in IT. As a startup, we very much appreciate the all-encompassing advice from profile sharpening to candidate selection and support in optimising our own internal hiring process. We are very happy to have alphacoders at our side.

Christina Bombeck

HR Managerin - Fundis Reitsport

We have commissioned alphacoders to search for 2 web developers. The challenge is that we are active in a special niche in e-commerce with the topic of equestrian sports and ideally the ideal candidate should also identify with our sport. In addition to good communication and consultation, we jointly implemented an effective hiring process. alphacoders not only managed to attract many women for this position, but we even managed to hire someone with a love for our sport. We were able to fill both positions with alphacoders and would hire them again anytime.