Python is a programming language beloved the world over. It’s considered a generalist programming language, but it’s also used in highly specialized arenas such as data science and machine learning. Year after year, it ranks at the top of popular programming language lists generated by Stack Overflow, analyst firm RedMonk, TIOBE, and others. What skills do you need to become a full-fledged Python engineer?
As we break down Python engineer skills, keep in mind that this role is also quite lucrative; Glassdoor estimates that the “average” Python engineer makes around $98,496 per year in salary. That number can rise still higher depending on your experience, specialization, and whether you’re working for a larger company known for paying high salaries. Whatever your career path, keep in mind that you’re on a journey of continuous learning; as Python evolves, you’ll need to evolve with it.
What Does a Python Engineer Do Day-to-Day?
A Python engineer's tasks will vary depending on where they work and what project they’re currently involved in, but all Python engineers do the following:
Write Python code: Obviously, right? Python engineers code almost daily. If you’re just starting to learn Python and want to know how to code in it, start by visiting Python.org, which offers documentation and tutorials.
Debug code: Another reasonably obvious task! When the code doesn't work as expected, engineers must debug it to find the problem. This can be a time-consuming process, mainly if you tumble down a few rabbit holes while researching issues, but ensuring the code works as designed is essential. Once you’ve learned the principles of manual debugging, you can learn the automated tooling that makes debugging and QA even faster.
Test code: Once code is debugged, it needs to be tested to ensure it works as expected. This can be done manually but is most often done with automated code testing tools.
Deploy code. Once the code is tested, it must be deployed so real people can use it. This may involve deploying the code to a web server, a mobile device, or another platform.
Work with other engineers. Python engineers often work on projects as part of a team. Effective communication is a must-have trait, so you can chat with other engineers and collaborate on code. “Soft skills” such as empathy and communication will get you just as far in a engineer career as highly technical skills (especially if you go the freelancing route, which means frequently discussing project requirements with stakeholders and clients).
What Technical Skills Should Python Engineers Have?
Here are some of the necessary technical skills you should have on your way to becoming a Python engineer:
Programming skills: This is the foundation of any engineer's skill0set. Python engineers need to be able to write legible, efficient code. They must also be familiar with the Python programming language's syntax, libraries, and frameworks. If you ever need a refresher in any of these principles, there are many useful (and free!) tutorials online, including this nifty one from w3schools.
Experience with object-oriented programming (OOP): OOP is a fundamental concept in Python programming, and Python engineers need to be able to design and implement object-oriented software. They must also be familiar with different OOP concepts, such as classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism.
Knowledge of software design and development principles: Python engineers need to be able to design and develop software that is well-designed, easily scalable, and easy to maintain. They need to be familiar with the different software design and development principles, such as the Model-View-Controller (MVC) and Singleton patterns.
Debugging and troubleshooting. Python engineers must be able to debug and troubleshoot software problems as they arise, but hopefully, before troublesome code is deployed. They need to be able to find the source of a problem and solve any issues.
What Other Programming Languages Should Python Engineers Know?
“Aside from Python, I recommend mastering languages that complement Python's strengths and address its weaknesses,” Dave Savio, founder of AI firm Artifactory, tells Dice. “JavaScript is essential for web development, allowing Python engineers to integrate their back-end solutions with front-end interfaces. SQL is also critical, as it's widely used for querying databases—a frequent requirement for Python engineers, especially in the data science field. Furthermore, understanding a lower-level language such as C++ can be advantageous for performance-critical applications, given Python's relatively slower execution speed. Lastly, R can be beneficial for statistical analysis and data visualization.”
Alexsei Kankov, senior backend engineer at Revizto, adds that JavaScript and SQL are must-haves: “Python and JavaScript (or TypeScript) are commonly used together in web development, so having a good understanding of JavaScript or TypeScript can enhance a Python engineer's ability to create dynamic web applications.”
Kankov also concurs with Savio about learning database-centric languages: “Understanding SQL is important for interacting with databases. Python engineers often work with databases, so proficiency in SQL can be highly beneficial.”
But Aleksei Sharypov, Python engineer at Gcore, has a different viewpoint. “Despite the variety of programming languages in modern companies, a Python engineer only needs to know one language: Python. This is sufficient for a perfectly good job as a Python engineer,” he says. “If a engineer wants to work for top IT companies and earn significantly more, knowledge of other languages becomes essential. Python pairs very well with front-end languages like JavaScript. Even better is [the JavaScript] variant—TypeScript. With this combination, an ordinary Python engineer transforms into a full-stack engineer.”
It's also critical to learn frameworks such as Django, FastAPI, Flask, and Pyramid—both for Python and other languages you’ll commonly use. “The most popular frameworks and libraries for JavaScript include Vue.js, Angular, React, and Node.js,” Sharypov says. “Besides front-end languages, being familiar with languages and technologies related to Python is beneficial. As odd as it may seem, this includes C++ and its variants and GO. GO is an alternative language for developing high-load and fast microservices, and some existing applications are being migrated to GO. GO is gradually gaining popularity. Knowledge of C++ is also crucial for writing fast Python libraries and understanding Python's inner workings for Senior engineers and above. Additionally, it is common to find services written in C++ that collaborate with Python services.”
What Platforms are Essential for a Python Engineer?
“Nowadays, knowing Python is usually not enough,” Sharypov continues. “It is essential to understand and be able to use the related platforms, libraries, and tools for the language.” Which libraries should you become familiar with? Here’s a short list, especially for those who will deal with large amounts of data in the course of their Python work:
- Anaconda
- NumPy
- SciPy
- Pandas
- matplotlib
Working with data will also necessitate learning relational databases such as PostgreSQL and MySQL, along with (less frequently) MS SQL and Oracle. And as artificial intelligence (A.I.) and machine learning become more prevalent, a good Python engineer will become familiar with the frameworks driving coding in those areas, including:
- Scikit-learn
- Tensorflow
- PyTorch
- Catboost
- LightGBM
“Knowledge of these libraries is primarily required in companies directly involved in A.I. and machine learning projects,” Sharypov says. “Another crucial platform is version control systems, with GIT being the overwhelming choice for the majority. GIT is also used for CI/CD. Additionally, having a good understanding of databases and being able to work with them is highly important.” Other CI/CD tools include various code inspection libraries, linters, test writing tools (pytest, unittest), Docker and Docker Compose.
Familiarity with IDEs such as PyCharm and Visual Studio Code are also useful for coding and debugging. “They offer AI-based plugins that assist with code writing, testing, code checking, and more, making them indispensable tools for engineers, as they can significantly accelerate development,” Sharypov says.
At most companies, Python engineers will interact heavily with a cloud stack, including cloud technologies such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. The more you’ve mastered popular cloud platforms, the better your chances of landing a job at a company where cloud infrastructure is critical.
“Django is a popular web framework for Python, widely used for developing robust and scalable web applications,” notes Kankov notes. “Python engineers should have a strong understanding of Django's features and concepts.” In addition, Flask is another web framework for quick prototyping that many Python engineers rely upon.
What Other “Hard Skills” Should Python Engineers Have?
Andrey Gusarov, data tech lead at Yandex, tells Dice: “Python engineers need skills in data structures, algorithms, and systems design. Knowledge of version control systems, particularly Git, is vital. As Python is widely used in data science, machine learning, and statistics skills are advantageous. Understanding testing frameworks, continuous integration, and continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes is also important. Additionally, given the growing emphasis on data security and privacy, understanding secure coding practices and data encryption techniques is a valuable asset.”
Do Python Engineers Need a Degree to Succeed?
“While many Python engineers have degrees in computer science or related fields, it's not always a strict requirement,” notes Gusarov. “Employers increasingly value practical experience and demonstrated skills over formal education. Open-source contributions, coding boot camps, and portfolio projects can often compensate for the lack of a degree. However, a degree can provide a solid foundation in computer science principles and may be necessary for more specialized or senior roles.”
If you’re just starting out, building a strong portfolio of projects is key; by demonstrating you know your way around the language and associated frameworks, you’ll assure recruiters and hiring managers that you have the necessary skills to succeed in the role as a Python engineer.
“A degree is still not mandatory for working as a Python engineer,” asserts Sharypov. “However, top IT companies, having the opportunity to choose and set conditions, prefer candidates with higher education. Of course, the genius is more likely to be chosen between a brilliant programmer without a degree and an ordinary one with a degree. Higher education does not indicate the quality of work performed, and it does not guarantee usefulness.”
