What is a Data Engineer at Rakuten?
As a Data Engineer at Rakuten, you play a pivotal role in shaping the company's data infrastructure and analytics capabilities. This position is critical in supporting various products and services that rely on data-driven insights to enhance user experiences and drive business decisions. Your expertise in data pipelines, data modeling, and database management ensures that the vast amounts of data generated by Rakuten's diverse platforms are efficiently processed and utilized.
The impact of this role extends beyond mere data handling; it involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Data Scientists, Product Managers, and Software Engineers, to deliver scalable data solutions. You will be at the forefront of addressing complex data challenges, such as optimizing data storage, ensuring data quality, and implementing robust data governance practices. With Rakuten's focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, your contributions will directly influence the strategic direction and success of the company’s offerings.
Expect to work on exciting projects that integrate advanced technologies and methodologies, making this position both challenging and rewarding. Whether it's designing a new data pipeline or optimizing existing systems, you will be actively involved in cutting-edge data engineering initiatives.
Common Interview Questions
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Sign up freeAlready have an account? Sign inPractice questions from our question bank
Curated questions for Rakuten from real interviews. Click any question to practice and review the answer.
Design a batch ETL pipeline that detects, imputes, and monitors missing values before loading analytics tables with daily SLA compliance.
Design a batch data pipeline with quality gates, quarantine handling, and monitored reprocessing for 120M finance records per day.
Design Terraform-based infrastructure as code for AWS data pipelines with reusable modules, secure state management, CI/CD, and drift control.
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Sign up freeAlready have an account? Sign inGetting Ready for Your Interviews
Preparation is key to success in your interviews at Rakuten. You should approach your preparation by focusing on both technical skills and soft skills, as both are critical to your success in this environment.
Role-related knowledge – Understand the technical frameworks and tools relevant to data engineering, such as SQL, Python, and data pipeline technologies. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences and how they relate to the requirements of the role.
Problem-solving ability – Demonstrate your analytical thinking and how you approach complex data challenges. Practice articulating your thought process during problem-solving exercises.
Culture fit / values – Rakuten values collaboration, innovation, and a customer-centric mindset. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with the company's culture and how you contribute to team dynamics.
Interview Process Overview
The interview process for a Data Engineer at Rakuten is designed to evaluate both technical skills and cultural fit. It typically begins with an initial screening by HR, followed by a technical assessment to measure your programming and data engineering skills. If you pass these stages, you may be invited to multiple rounds of interviews, including technical assessments and behavioral questions with hiring managers and team members.
Candidates should expect a rigorous process that can include coding tests, system design evaluations, and discussions about past work experiences. The emphasis is on both technical expertise and how well you fit into the company's collaborative and innovative culture.
