A Graduate Data Engineer typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field, along with foundational knowledge of programming, data structures, and database concepts. Familiarity with technologies such as SQL, Python, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and modern data engineering tools like Apache Spark or Hadoop is often expected, and introductory certifications can provide an added advantage. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, effective communication, and eagerness to learn are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for efficiently building, maintaining, and optimizing data pipelines that support business decision-making.