Big data technology has been widely used in all walks of life. Cultivating high-quality big data technology talents has become a problem in the major universities. This paper analyzes the professional characteristics of big data technology and application, clarifies the market demand for professional talent training. Combining with the CDIO engineering education concept, it sets up the courses of big data technology and application majors in higher vocational colleges, builds a practical teaching system based on CDIO mode under the background of new engineering, and cultivates the engineering concept, engineering practice ability, teamwork and communication ability of higher vocational students