OP is profoundly lucky. He's working in a hard-to-break-into niche in our industry with super close access to someone that will dramatically level up his niche-industry knowledge.
This positions OP for long-term success. I'm late in my career and can tell you that engineering skill only really matters in a few places and that what and who you know, as well as how you treat people/circumstances, is 99% of the job.
I worked in a different niche earlier in my career and had access to industry leaders and two of my coworkers from that job started their own agency out of it. One of the biggest mistakes of my life not going in with them and chasing tech skill at a different job instead.
OP becoming a problem-solver in his industry will create vastly more career-potential than being pidgeon-holed as a data engineer.
"This positions OP for long-term success. I'm late in my career and can tell you that engineering skill only really matters in a few places and that what and who you know, as well as how you treat people/circumstances, is 99% of the job."
Correct, if they're just looking to catapult themselves to the upper echelons of "leadership" and "executive" careers. But that has nothing to do with engineering which is what they asked for.
"leadership" is arguably the most important engineering skill. Every engineering role I've ever had required leading people or organizations to make the correct technical choices.
You're conflating manipulating with engineering. Communicating with people can be part of a job but it isn't engineering.
engineering
noun
the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants.
Digital Technology. the art or process of designing and programming computer systems:
computer engineering;
software engineering.
Engineering is about making tradeoffs and then you're entirely in the realm of communication. You can pretend otherwise but you'll be wrong and all of the decisions will be made without or around you.
I've seen that happen a lot. When you're the only real "tech person" in a non-tech company, especially if you're above-average talented, you become the go-to for anything tech-related. This often gives you plenty of visibility and earns you a lot of goodwill from the company’s management
Fresh grad, 6 months into their first job and working as a "tech lead". Are you leading anyone else but yourself?
I know I'll get down voted but if you were really looking to grow you'd
a) quit and get that junior job more suited to your skill level
b) hire someone to replace yourself and demote yourself to junior role in your own team. (This would not even necessarily affect your comp.)
But seriously though if you're just looking for maximal comp, stay where you are. I'm sure you can become senior director in the next 6 mo.