Master the complete data engineering pipeline from ingestion to analytics. Learn to build scalable data systems using Apache Kafka, Spark, and cloud platforms while integrating cutting-edge generative AI technologies. Apply your skills through hands-on projects that mirror real-world data engineering challenges in modern enterprises.

Discover new skills with 30% off courses from industry experts. Save now.


Building Smarter Data Pipelines: SQL, Spark, Kafka & GenAI Specialization
Build Scalable Data Engineering Systems. Learn to design, implement, and optimize data pipelines using industry-standard tools and frameworks



Instructors: Caio Avelino
Included with
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Design and implement scalable data ingestion, processing, and storage systems using Apache Kafka and Spark
Build high-performance data pipelines integrating cloud platforms, databases, and generative AI technologies
Apply data engineering best practices for enterprise-scale analytics, optimization, and real-time processing
Overview
Skills you'll gain
What’s included

Add to your LinkedIn profile
August 2025
Advance your subject-matter expertise
- Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
- Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
- Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
- Earn a career certificate from Coursera Instructor Network

Specialization - 8 course series
What you'll learn
Analyse the architecture and components of data pipelines to understand their impact on data flow and processing efficiency.
Implement robust ETL processes, for scalability and maintainability.
Analyze big data challenges and introduce Hadoop ecosystem tools (HDFS, MapReduce, Hive, Pig, and Spark) for data processing tasks.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Identify and describe the components and importance of data ecosystems.
Understand the basic structure and function of data pipelines.
Recognize the steps involved in ETL workflows and their role in data handling.
Gain an introductory knowledge of big data and the application of Apache Spark.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Explain the importance of data warehousing in business intelligence.
Design and implement effective schema designs for data warehouses.
Implement ETL processes to load and transform data into a data warehouse.
Apply performance optimization techniques to enhance data warehouse efficiency.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Analyze and tune SQL queries to enhance SQL performance and reduce application latency.
Evaluate effective database index and maintenance task strategies to improve efficiency.
Monitor the performance of troubleshooting techniques used for resolving common SQL server issues.
Apply best practices for SQL Server performance to ensure consistent and reliable operations.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Show understanding of the fundamentals of cloud architecture, including key components like virtual machines, storage, and networking.
Identify and implement core cloud design patterns such as Load Balancer, Circuit Breaker, and Auto-Scaling to ensure scalability and reliability.
Demonstrate advanced cloud design patterns, including Microservices Architecture, Event-Driven Architecture, and Serverless Computing.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Identify the capabilities of GenAI for basic role specific, Data Engineer functions.
Examine real-world applications to leverage GenAI for streamlining work and fostering innovation in Data Engineering functions.
Deploy strategies and tactics to responsibly integrate GenAI into data engineering practices, while maintaining human oversight and accountability.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Describe Apache Kafka's architecture and its components, enhancing data pipeline efficiency.
Configure and manage Kafka clusters, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance.
Apply (Create and use) topics, publishers, and subscribers to facilitate real-time data exchange.
Implement basic stream processing applications using Kafka Streams, addressing real-world data challenges.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Skills you'll gain
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructors







Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career





Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
More questions
Financial aid available,