An analytics engineer sits between data engineering and data analysis - building, transforming, modeling, and testing raw data into clean, actionable datasets that analysts and business users depend on.
A great Analytics Engineer does not just complete tasks. They own a function that directly frees you to grow. Here is what that looks like in a scaling business:
01Build and maintain dbt models that transform raw data into analysis-ready datasets
02Define and enforce data quality tests across the data warehouse
03Document data models and lineage so analysts understand the data
04Collaborate with data engineers on pipeline design and analysts on modeling needs
05Own the semantic layer between raw data and BI consumption
How this hire moves your business forward: Analytics engineers produce the clean, trustworthy data foundation that makes analytics reliable. When analysts trust the data, they spend their time on insights rather than data validation.
Why LatAm
Why LatAm Produces Great Analytics Engineers.
LatAm analytics engineers are a growing and technically sophisticated segment of the data talent pool. Many have backgrounds in data engineering or analytics and have adopted dbt as their core toolset.
The timezone overlap with the US is strong. LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time, so there is no async lag, no late-night handoffs, and no communication gap.
Skills & tools
Know What a Great Analytics Engineer Actually Brings to the Table.
Beyond the resume, here are the skills, tools, and traits that separate strong performers from strong interviewers.
Hard Skills
dbt (data build tool)
SQL
Data modeling
Data quality testing
Data Wharehousing ( using Snowflake, BigQuery)
Common Tools
dbt Cloud / dbt Core
SQL / BigQuery / Snowflake / Redshift
GitHub
Looker / Tableau
Airflow (basic) / Python for debugging
Soft Skills & Traits
Data quality obsessive
Documentation-disciplined
Collaborative with both engineers and analysts
Structured thinker about data modeling
Business awareness
Compensation
What You Can Expect to Pay.
Based on Sur market data and regional benchmarks. Figures reflect total cash compensation.
Seniority
US Annual
LatAm Annual
You Save
Entry
$80,000
$35,000
$45,000 / yr
Mid level
$115,000
$45,000
$70,000 / yr
Senior
$165,000
$65,000
$100,000 / yr
Spot the right hire
What to Look For, and What to Watch Out For.
Green Flags
Has built production dbt models with comprehensive tests and documentation
Data models are trusted by analysts - they do not have to validate data before using it
Collaborates equally well with data engineers and business analysts
Documentation makes the data warehouse understandable without needing the analytics engineer to explain it
Red Flags
Knows dbt syntax but has not built production data models at meaningful scale
Models with no tests or documentation
Cannot explain data lineage or how different models relate
Our process
Our Process for This Role.
We do not post and wait. Every Analytics Engineer search we run is built from scratch around your business, your stage, your team, and your goals. And at every step, we are thinking about how this hire helps you grow.
1
Onboarding Call
We start by understanding what you actually need.
2
Role Scoping and Assessment Design
We build a precise role profile and design the custom skills assessment before we search for anyone.
3
Sourcing
We source actively across LatAm and the Caribbean and through our network.
4
Prescreening and Phone Screen
Every candidate is internally screened then put through an English phone screen.
5
Your Shortlist
3 to 5 candidates delivered early in the process with background, audio clip, and our team's recommendation.
6
Skills Assessment
Shortlisted candidates take a custom assessment built to replicate the actual work of the role.
7
Hire and Guarantee
We support the offer, help structure compensation for retention, and back every placement with a 90-day guarantee.
Common Questions About Hiring a Analytics Engineer.
3-4 weeks typically. Most placements are made within 21 days of the onboarding call.
Most LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time.
All Sur placements speak fluent English. We screen for language ability on every search. Moderate English acceptable depending on exposure.
A LatAm analytics engineer delivers strong data modeling capability at significantly lower cost. dbt expertise has grown rapidly in LatAm following the global adoption of the modern data stack.
If your hire does not work out within the first 90 days for any reason, we replace them at no additional cost.
Neither and both. Analytics engineers specialize in the transformation layer - turning raw data into analysis-ready models using SQL and dbt. It is a distinct discipline.
A data engineer builds pipelines. An analytics engineer models the data once it lands. Both are needed once your data complexity grows beyond simple pipelines.
Ready to Hire a Analytics Engineer Who Actually Moves the Needle?
Let us design the role together and find you the right person from LatAm.