32+ Civil Engineer Big Data & RAG Project | Which IT roles actually fit my profile?

#career #hiring #beginners #machinelearning

Hi everyone,

I’m 32+, with +5 years of civil engineering experience (site execution, planning). Recently, I’ve been transitioning into Big Data & AI. I’ve learned SQL, Python basics, ML , LLM and built an end-to-end RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) project using embeddings, a vector database, and an open-source LLM.

I’m not targeting hardcore SDE or FAANG roles, and I’m not focusing on heavy DSA / LeetCode. I’m more inclined toward applied, project-driven roles where business understanding and real implementations matter.

Given my background, which job roles are actually a good fit for me in 2026?

Some roles I’m considering:

Data Analyst / Analytics Engineer

Applied AI Analyst

BI / Decision Scientist

Big Data Engineer (junior–mid, tool-focused)

AI Automation / RAG-focused roles (startups)

I’d really appreciate guidance from people who’ve switched careers late or who hire for these roles. Honest, realistic advice welcome