Building Kafka on top of S3 presents several challenges, including data consistency, latency issues, and the need for efficient data retrieval. The article explores these obstacles in depth and discusses potential solutions and architectural considerations necessary for successful integration. Understanding these challenges is crucial for engineers looking to leverage Kafka with S3 effectively.

Understanding Kafka and Flink is essential for Python data engineers as these tools are integral for handling real-time data processing and streaming. Proficiency in these technologies enhances a data engineer's capability to build robust data pipelines and manage data workflows effectively. Learning these frameworks can significantly improve job prospects and performance in data-centric roles.