Data engineering focuses on designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure that enables data collection, storage, and processing. It involves creating data pipelines that efficiently move and transform raw data into formats usable for analysis and decision-making. Data engineers work with databases, big data technologies, and cloud platforms to ensure that data is reliable, scalable, and accessible. They also manage data architecture, optimize performance, and ensure data integrity and security. Their role is critical in providing the foundation for data science, analytics, and other data-driven initiatives within an organization.