In the tech domain, different kinds of jobs exist. Each one needs a different skill set. Are you a person interested in working with coding? If so, you might be wondering whether to choose Data Engineering or Java development as your career. We are here to compare Java developer vs data engineer jobs.  We will discuss the crucial differences between these two positions. You can learn about the skills you need to develop for each of these positions. Indeed, you will be interested in knowing about the salary you can expect for these positions. You can gather these details from this post:

Java Developer – Some Basic Details

Java, a programming language came into function in the mid-1990s. This language has gained importance among the legacy languages in the software development domain. However, Java Developers are gaining the highest level of job satisfaction in the United States. You might have heard about Glassdoor. This platform conducted a recent study on the top jobs. According to this platform, Java Developer is presently the top-ranked and highly-rated job position in the United States. 

If you are a Java Developer, you might be aware that Java includes many things. It is a highly versatile, cross-device and cross-platform programming language. It is an ecosystem as well. It is also a set of frameworks that empower the core of infrastructures in an organization. 

When you take the case of some popular large-scale organizations, you will find that they have Java somewhere under their covers. 

Data Engineer – Basic Details

You might be aware that in the Data Engineer position, you will be responsible for building systems that can retrieve, consolidate and store data that is needed for the applications and systems that were built by software engineers.

Data Engineering has gained popularity as a particular skill within the software engineering profession. Data engineers will have the right kind of training to handle regardless of the tasks that are assigned to the software engineering department. Data Engineers will be responsible for pulling out data from well-documented and stable APIs that are designed to retrieve historical data from another party.

Data engineers specialize in the software engineering field. They are responsible for making accurate data available for end users like analysts, data scientists and executives. These professionals can use the data made available by data engineers to arrive at crucial decisions. The work of a data engineer encompasses distributed concurrent programming, building data pipelines, advanced data structures and distributed computing to name a few. This field is dynamic and data engineers should keep their skills updated regularly to adapt to fresh tools. Only then, they can stay competitive in their field.

Responsibilities of Java Developers and Data Engineers

When comparing data engineer vs Java developer careers, you should know about the responsibilities of these two positions in organizations. In turn, you can decide on the career that is right for you:

• Data Engineer

As a data engineer, your key responsibility will be to develop, construct, test and maintain architectures like large-scale processing systems and databases. As a data engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Dealing with raw data that encompasses instrument, machine and human errors.
• The data you gather in this position might contain suspect records as it will not be validated
• It will be unformatted data and will have codes that are particular to the system.
• At times, you might recommend and even implement ways to improve data quality, efficiency and dependability
• To do this, you will have to use different tools and languages to bring together systems.
• You can try to hunt down opportunities to gather new data from other systems.
• In turn, you can ensure that the codes that are specific to the system can turn out to be information for further processing.
• Your team of data engineers will have to develop data set processes for data production, mining and modeling.
• You will develop, maintain and test architectures
• You will ensure that the architecture supports the needs of your organization
• Spot chances for acquisition of data
• Develop data set processes for data production, mining and modeling
• Employ a wide range of tools and languages like scripting languages to bring together systems
• You will recommend methods to improve the quality, efficiency and dependability of data.
• Conduct research to answer business and industry queries
• Leverage huge volumes of data from external and internal sources to answer
• Employ sophisticated statistical methods, machine learning and analytics programs to prepare data to use in prescriptive and predictive modeling
• Exploring and Examining data to spot hidden patterns
• Automating work with the help of prescriptive and predictive analytics
• Tell stories to important stakeholders based on what you have analyzed.

• Java Developer

The key responsibility of a Java Developer is the implementation of all stages of the creation of Java-based software. This professional will be responsible for developing all required features of an app, bug fixing, testing and code creation. Read on to learn more about the responsibilities of a Java Developer:

• Implementing all stages of Java-based software creation
• Code creation
• Right assessment of requirements of customers
• Developing all the necessary features in an app
• Testing and fixing bugs if any
• Creating an app with the best user interface
• Integrating and planning updates
• Document Creation
• Applying compliance checks
• Implementing application releases
• Staying updated with trending technologies
• Designing Java Applications
• Error checking and analyzing software
• Project collaboration
• Error-free and efficient coding

As a Java developer, you will be responsible for mediation between the people participating in the project and the client. After you gather the required data, you will also evaluate, create and correct terms of reference and assign tasks.

Data Engineer vs Java Developer – Which is the Best Career Choice?

• Data Engineers

There is a huge demand for data engineers. We live in a data-driven economy today. So, the demand for data engineers is equally high. According to a study conducted in 2019, a data engineering career has gained the top-trending job in the technology domain. This position surpassed the demand for architects, web designers and computer scientists. In 2021, LinkedIn listed Data Engineer career is on an upswing concerning opportunities. 

You might be thinking about data engineer vs Java developer salary. Here, the career of data engineers looks promising. Yes, according to Glassdoor, the average pay of a data engineer in the United States is $115, 176.

• Java Developer

Even, there is a great demand these days for full-stack Java developers. They are getting the best compensation and pay. In the United States, a full-stack Java developer is making more than $150,000. 

The same rule applies to the opportunities that exist for Java developers. Businesses nowadays intend to expand their digital footprint. So, the demand for these developers is expected to increase further. As per the NASSCOM 2020 report, every year, more than a million New Full-Stack Java Developer opportunities pop up in the job market. So, there is no shortage of opportunities for candidates with the right skill set. 

Skills Required

Both Java Developers and Data Engineers are IT professionals. Even though they should share some common skills, they also use different skill sets and tools. The common skills required include conflict resolution, collaboration, problem-solving and communication. However, each of them needs particular technical skills. Here are the skills you should develop for each of these positions:

Data Engineer

• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence technology development
• Usage of coding language skills
• Understanding of NoSQL and SQL systems
• Usage of big data tools
• Cybersecurity and Cloud computing knowledge

Java Developer

• Thorough understanding of the software development cycle
• Familiarity with Agile Project Management processes
• Coding standards and testing protocol knowledge
• Proficiency in Java with a good understanding of its ecosystems
• Knowledge of coding languages other than Java like C++ and PHP
• Sound knowledge of object-oriented programming concepts and patterns
• Knowledge of different architectural and design patterns
• Skill to write reusable Java libraries
• Knowledge of Java Concurrency patterns
• Experience working with familiar web application frameworks like Spark and Play
• Basic understanding of the concepts of RESTful web services, JDBC and MVC.
• Experience in continuous integration
• Knowledge of building tools like Gradle, Maven and Ant

Work Environment

As you are comparing Java developer vs data engineer, you should know what the work environment of these two professionals looks like:

As a Java developer, you will be working in an office setting typically. Nevertheless, you might have to travel to meet your clients. You will be spending most of your time working on a PC and collaborating with your team members.

If you become a data engineer, you will be working in a lab or office environment. However, you might also have to travel to attend conferences and visit clients. In this position, you will be spending time using computers for evaluating data and working together with your team members.

Tips To Choose a Career Between Data Engineer and Java Developer

• Consider growth opportunities for career advancement
• Spot your preferences
• Evaluate your abilities

Both are valuable career choices. Make sure to compare data engineer vs Java Developer salary before you choose one of these career choices. Also, ensure that you develop the required skills to withstand the competitive job market.