The Essential Guide to Becoming a Cloud Engineer

 

Introduction

A cloud engineer is an IT professional who is responsible for a variety of tasks related to cloud computing, such as designing, planning, managing, maintaining, and providing support for cloud-based systems.

The term "cloud engineer" refers to a variety of positions that share some commonalities.

·         cloud architect

·         cloud software engineer

·         cloud security engineer

·         cloud systems engineer

·         cloud network engineer

Rather than focusing on cloud computing as a whole, each position concentrates on a specific aspect of it. Companies that hire cloud engineers typically seek to implement cloud services, expand their use of cloud resources, or enhance their knowledge and technology related to the cloud.

Table of Contents

Skills for Cloud Engineering

Cloud engineers should possess expertise in the following domains:

1. Linux

Cloud engineers should possess extensive knowledge about the Linux operating system, which is widely used by businesses for cloud development. They should be well-versed in the design, upkeep, and management of Linux servers.

2. Database Skills

Cloud database management skills and knowledge of MySQL and Hadoop are necessary for cloud engineers.

3. Programming

Cloud engineers should possess solid general programming abilities and be familiar with languages such as SQL, Java, Python, Ruby, Golang, PHP, and .NET.

4. Networking

Cloud engineers should have knowledge of virtual networks and be skilled in general network management tasks.

5. DevOps

DevOps is a widely used methodology in cloud computing, and having practical knowledge of its practices can be advantageous for job seekers. Employers particularly value Amazon Web Services (AWS) DevOps expertise.

6. Containerization

Cloud engineers should be skilled in the use of containerization technologies, with knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes.

7. Virtualization

Cloud engineers should possess the skills to deploy and manage application software on virtual machines.

8. Understanding of cloud providers

Comprehending the diverse technical capabilities and engineering methods provided by various cloud service providers can expand a cloud engineer's expertise, making them more attractive to potential employers.

9. Security and recovery

Cloud security and knowledge of cybersecurity are becoming increasingly important for providers, making it a valuable skill to possess.

10. Web services and application programming interfaces (APIs)

Cloud engineers should have expertise in open standards like XML, SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI, as well as a comprehension of how APIs are designed and developed.

Steps for becoming a cloud engineer

Individuals who are strong contenders for cloud engineer roles typically possess the following qualifications in terms of education, certifications, and work experience.

1. Education

A cloud engineer should ideally hold a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field that provides comparable skills. Some employers may prefer candidates with a Master of Science degree.

2. Certification

Some businesses value extra credentials in addition to education and work experience to showcase specialized expertise in a specific field. Well-known certifications consist of

• ·        Certifications for specific vendors like AWS and Microsoft
• ·        as well as certifications for skills like cloud security

3. Experience

Most employers look for cloud engineers with a minimum of three to five years of experience in cloud services, including open-source technology, software development, system engineering, scripting languages, and proficiency in multiple cloud provider environments. Furthermore, they should have a strong background in designing or building web services in the cloud.

Proficiency in programming languages

Cloud engineers should have proficiency in programming languages such as

·        Java, Python, and Ruby.

Many employers look for cloud engineers with experience in OpenStack, Linux, AWS, Rackspace, Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, and Docker. Knowledge of APIs, orchestration, automation, DevOps, and databases including NoSQL is also essential.

Roles and responsibilities in cloud engineering.

The job of a cloud engineer encompasses various engineering roles that are focused on the cloud. Since cloud engineering involves many areas of expertise, each role is specialized.

• Cloud architects are responsible for managing the cloud infrastructure and overseeing the design, setup, and deployment of applications within the cloud environment.
• Cloud software developers are responsible for creating, managing, and updating software components, databases, and applications that operate on cloud computing platforms.
• Cloud security specialists develop and manage security measures for cloud-based systems and software.
• Cloud computing service providers are responsible for managing the software and hardware components that are used to deliver cloud-based services.
• Network engineers in the cloud sector are responsible for overseeing and maintaining the infrastructure of networks that link clients to service providers.
• Cloud automation engineers are comparable to cloud developers, but their primary focus is on automation, orchestration, and integration.

          Cloud engineer salary and career outlook

Per various sources like ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Salary.com, the average income for a cloud engineer in the United States is around.

• ·        The annual salary for software engineering positions falls between $100,000 and $130,000, but this can vary due to factors such as skills, education, certifications, remote work status, and location.

 According to Northeastern University's website, a graduate certificate in software engineering can potentially increase a person's earnings by an average of 25%.