The Data Engineering team at Quantexa is responsible for implementing Quantexa’s technology solutions for clients worldwide, spanning various sectors such as banking, insurance, government, and healthcare. We manage the entire data pipeline, from ETL processes to UI configuration. Our tasks include ingestion of the data, developing custom scores, configuring Entity Resolution, and more.
When working on a project, our team typically includes other Data Engineers, a Business Analyst, a Technical Lead, an Architect, and a Project Manager. Together, we collaborate to implement Quantexa's solution and deliver value to the client. We also regularly interact with other internal teams, like R&D, when seeking support regarding specific Quantexa functionalities or features.
As an Associate Data Engineer, my role focuses heavily on coding and gaining in-depth knowledge of the Quantexa platform. On a daily basis, I collaborate with other Data Engineers and work closely with the Technical Lead, who provides guidance and support for the tasks.
Meet Ada…
I joined Quantexa in July 2023 as part of the Graduate Programme, just after completing my Master’s in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. Prior to that, I studied a double degree in Economics and Business Administration and gained experience through an internship at a consulting firm.
I’m currently based in Málaga, where our office is rapidly growing. When I started, we were a team of just 12, and now, a year later, we've grown to over 30. Outside of work, I’m passionate about traveling and exploring new places. In fact, I’ll be heading to Bali soon for two weeks of adventure!
How do you normally start your working day?
I’m a tea person, so I usually start my day with a cup of tea, and yogurt with cereal and fresh fruit. After that, I check my emails and the meetings I have lined up. Since I’m quite an organization freak, I can’t start my day without going over my to-do list and agenda to prioritize what needs to be done for the day.
How would you describe a typical day?
A typical day at the Malaga office is hard to pin down because we always seem to be celebrating something! New joiners arrive almost every month, often accompanied by a team lunch. Plus, we have a tradition of celebrating milestones—when someone finishes the Academy, or reaches a work anniversary, they bring breakfast from their home country/region.
On the work side, my day usually starts with our stand-up meeting, where I update the team on my progress and raise any blockers I’m facing. Afterward, I dive into my tasks and often check in with colleagues who are working on similar tasks so we can help each other out.
For lunch, it’s almost a ritual for the Malaga team to head to “The Garlic Place”—we’ve nicknamed it that because garlic is featured in nearly every dish. After lunch, I get back to coding, debugging, and dealing with any issues that pop up. Depending on the day, I might have other scrum meetings like sprint planning, demos, or retrospectives. If I find some extra time at the end of the day, I like to work on my Udemy courses for the Graduate Programme.
To wrap up the day, you can usually find me at the gym or climbing with the Q team. We’ve got a Climbing Club, and we go bouldering near the office once or twice a week—it's a great way to end the day!
What do you enjoy most in your role?
What I enjoy the most is the opportunity to learn something new every day. Each project is unique—since I joined, I have been working on ETL, scoring, parsers, and my current focus is on Entity Resolution. This constant variety keeps me challenged and engaged, while also giving me the chance to apply and showcase the skills I've developed along the way.
What are your main goals as an Associate Data Engineer?
- Deliver high-quality code to the project.
- Contribute to the agile team, sharing knowledge and offering support when needed.
- Building strong relationships with my team members and other departments as it’s essential to ensure effective communication and collaboration on projects.
- Understanding clients' needs and translating business needs into technical tasks
What are your most memorable moments?
One of my standout moments was my first trip to London with Quantexa. I got to meet the team I’d be working with on my first external project, and finally connected in person with many Quantexans I had only known virtually. The trip was topped off by attending the Winter Party, which made the experience truly unforgettable.
What do you think are the most important attributes of an Associate Data Engineer?
I believe that an Associate Data Engineer should possess strong problem-solving skills, a curiosity for learning, and a genuine eagerness to explore new concepts.
What are you excited about at the moment?
I have just started a new project focused on implementing an Entity Resolution Health Check for a client for the very first time. This is a completely new experience for both our team and the client, which makes it quite an exciting challenge!
What is the best tip you have learned for using Quantexa?
One valuable tip I've learned, which applies to programming in general, is to approach errors from different perspectives. When you encounter a problem, take a moment to explain it to a colleague. This process often helps you identify alternatives or solutions you might not have considered before.
What is your favourite area/piece of content/feature of the Quantexa Community?
I don’t want to sound repetitive, but I really enjoy the "A Day in the Life of..." section. It provides valuable insights into various roles at Quantexa and offers a glimpse into how work-life differs across regions.
