Python Data Engineering

Comprehensive patterns for building production-grade data pipelines, dimensional models, and API integrations using SQLAlchemy 2.0+ and modern data warehousing practices.

When to Use This Skill

Apply this skill when building custom Python data pipelines with SQLAlchemy and PostgreSQL.

Use this skill for:

• Building ETL/ELT pipelines with Python
• Transforming API responses to database models
• Designing dimensional warehouses (fact/dimension tables)
• Implementing schema evolution strategies
• Creating reusable data transformation layers
• Integrating external systems (SaaS APIs, ERPs) with PostgreSQL

Consider frameworks FIRST for common SaaS integrations:

• Airbyte (600+ connectors, open-source) - NetSuite, Salesforce, Stripe, etc.
• Meltano/Singer (300+ taps, code-centric) - Reproducible, Git-based pipelines
• Fivetran (500+ connectors, managed) - Fast time-to-market, higher cost
• dbt (SQL transformations only) - Post-load transformations, not extraction

Build custom Python when:

• No existing connector for your source system
• Complex business logic required during transformation
• Unique incremental sync requirements
• Strategic differentiator justifying maintenance cost
• Existing connectors don't support your customizations

Build vs Buy Decision Tree

Need to integrate external data source?
│
├─ Check existing connectors (Airbyte, Fivetran, Meltano)
│  │
│  ├─ Connector exists + meets requirements
│  │  └─ [USE FRAMEWORK] - Faster, maintained, documented
│  │
│  └─ No connector OR custom logic needed
│     │
│     ├─ Simple transformation (SQL only)
│     │  └─ [USE dbt] - Post-load SQL transformations
│     │
│     └─ Complex transformation OR custom logic
│        └─ [BUILD CUSTOM PYTHON] - Full control, use patterns in this skill
│
└─ Consider:
   • Maintenance cost (custom code = ongoing maintenance)
   • Time to market (framework = faster initial setup)
   • Customization needs (custom code = unlimited flexibility)
   • Team expertise (SQL vs Python)

Decision guide: See when-to-build-vs-buy.md for detailed analysis

Quick Reference by Topic

SQLAlchemy Patterns

TypeDecorators (custom column types): See sqlalchemy/type-decorators.md Factory methods (from_dict, from_api): See sqlalchemy/factory-patterns.md Query patterns: See sqlalchemy/query-patterns.md Repository pattern: See sqlalchemy/repository-pattern.md Migrations with Alembic: See sqlalchemy/migrations.md

Pydantic Integration

API validation: See pydantic/api-validation.md Settings management: See pydantic/settings-management.md

Data Warehouse Patterns

Naming conventions (dim_, fact_): See warehouse/naming-conventions.md Slowly Changing Dimensions: See warehouse/scd-patterns.md

Integration Patterns

Field mapping strategies: See integration/field-mapping.md Incremental sync (high-water mark): See integration/incremental-sync.md Schema resilience (JSONB): See integration/schema-resilience.md UV package management (local deps): See integration/uv-package-management.md

Core Architecture Pattern

This skill teaches the three-layer separation for data pipelines:

Source System Layer (libs.external_api)
    └─ HTTP client, authentication, queries
    └─ Source-specific quirks and normalization

Database Schema Layer (libs.database)
    └─ Models (DimCustomer, FactOrders, etc.)
    └─ Mappers (API → Model transformations)
    └─ Custom types (TypeDecorators)

Application Layer (your applications)
    └─ Orchestration (when, what, how to sync)
    └─ Business logic (analysis, reporting)
    └─ CLI/API interfaces

Why this separation:

• Source layer changes when external API evolves
• Schema layer changes when business needs evolve
• Application layer changes when workflows evolve
• Clear boundaries prevent coupling

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: API Response → Database Model

Problem: Transform external API response to SQLAlchemy model with type conversions

Solution: Factory classmethod + TypeDecorators

class Customer(Base):
    email: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(NormalizedEmail)
    is_active: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(BooleanStringType)

    @classmethod
    def from_api_response(cls, data: dict, sync_time: datetime) -> "Customer":
        # Transformation logic here

See sqlalchemy/factory-patterns.md for complete pattern.

Use Case 2: Custom Field Schema Evolution

Problem: SaaS system adds/removes custom fields, breaking rigid schema

Solution: JSONB column with lifecycle metadata

class FlexibleRecordMixin:
    custom_fields: Mapped[dict] = mapped_column(JSONB)
    # Structure: {"field": {"value": ..., "first_seen": ..., "deprecated": bool}}

See integration/schema-resilience.md for complete pattern.

Use Case 3: Incremental Sync from External System

Problem: Re-fetching all data is slow; need to sync only changed records

Solution: High-water mark pattern with sync metadata

max_date = session.query(func.max(Customer.last_modified)).scalar()
api_response = client.get(f"/customers?modified_since={max_date}")

See integration/incremental-sync.md for complete pattern.

Use Case 4: Multi-Source Data Integration

Problem: Combine data from multiple external systems into unified schema

Solution: Conformed dimensions + source-specific mappers

class Customer(Base):
    source_system: Mapped[str]  # "api_a", "api_b", "internal"
    source_id: Mapped[str]       # Original system's ID

class APIACustomerMapper:
    @classmethod
    def to_customer(cls, data: dict) -> Customer:
        # API A schema → unified Customer schema

class APIBCustomerMapper:
    @classmethod
    def to_customer(cls, data: dict) -> Customer:
        # API B schema → unified Customer schema

Each mapper handles its source's quirks independently.

Testing Your Data Pipeline

import pytest
from sqlalchemy import create_engine
from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
from datetime import datetime, UTC

@pytest.fixture
def db_session():
    engine = create_engine("sqlite:///:memory:")
    Base.metadata.create_all(engine)
    with Session(engine) as session:
        yield session

def test_api_to_model_transformation(db_session):
    api_response = {"customer_id": "C001", "name": "Test Corp", "email": "test@example.com"}
    customer = Customer.from_api_response(api_response, datetime.now(UTC))

    db_session.add(customer)
    db_session.commit()

    assert customer.customer_id == "C001"
    assert customer.name == "Test Corp"

Best Practices Summary

SQLAlchemy

• Use TypeDecorators for custom types (set cache_ok=True)
• Factory classmethods for API transformations
• Hybrid properties for computed columns
• Event listeners for validation/audit (not business logic)
• Repository pattern for data access abstraction

Data Warehousing

• Star schema for analytics (fact tables + dimensions)
• Naming conventions: dim_, fact_, stg_, bridge_
• SCD Type 2 for historical tracking
• Medallion architecture: bronze (raw) → silver (clean) → gold (business)
• Audit columns: created_at, updated_at, synced_at, schema_version

Integration

• Pydantic for API boundary validation
• Source-specific mappers for multi-system integration
• JSONB for flexible/evolving schemas
• Incremental sync with high-water marks
• Complete raw_data preservation for reprocessing
• Idempotent operations (safe to re-run)

This skill provides practical patterns for Python data engineering with SQLAlchemy, Pydantic, and PostgreSQL.