Cloud Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a cloud engineer. Feel free to use our cloud engineer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a cloud engineer.
Who is a Cloud Engineer?
Cloud computing is growing in popularity among technology companies and organizations, increasing the value of this talent in the technology business. This means that if you’re interested in a career in technology, working with cloud-based systems may be a good fit.
Additionally, cloud engineering involves a variety of other positions that you might explore as you pursue your studies in the industry.
Cloud engineers are the technical specialists in charge of assessing an organization’s technology infrastructure and transferring specific operations and processes to a cloud-based architecture. Cloud engineers are specialists who assist businesses in migrating critical applications and processes to private, public, or hybrid cloud environments.
A cloud engineer is not a singular position. Indeed, it is a collection of roles that represent a range of knowledge and perform a variety of duties related to the creation, maintenance, operation, and enhancement of cloud systems. Cloud engineers are cloud experts, although their expertise can be classified as cloud software engineers, cloud systems engineers, cloud database administrators, and cloud security administrators, among others.
Today, cloud engineers are tasked with a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities; some of them are universal across all of the jobs described above, and success in any of them requires a basic set of abilities.
Cloud Engineers, for example, are expected to configure, interface with, and comprehend cloud infrastructure providers such as AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
Additionally, if cloud engineers are working with an organization whose existing infrastructure is not cloud-based, their position may include the process of transitioning that infrastructure from non-cloud to cloud-based systems.
Following such a move, they will be responsible for the security and access management of these systems, as well as continuing administration, maintenance, quality assurance, and evangelizing of the usage of these technologies throughout the IT team.
Finally, fundamental knowledge of programming languages such as SQL, R, and Python, as well as a comprehension of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and database building and management, are frequently necessary.
A cloud engineer may fulfill the following functions:
- Cloud Software Engineer
“Cloud software engineers are experts at developing software that is built on top of cloud service architectures and their underlying systems. They collaborate with a team of programmers and developers to design and deploy software, which requires exceptional teamwork and coding skills. They are also responsible for routine maintenance and debugging.”
This means that these engineers build and maintain all software that runs on the cloud and manages the cloud. Without a fundamental understanding of software development, cloud applications would be poorly constructed. However, this profession demands specialized knowledge of the cloud’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as how cloud-based software varies from traditional forms of software.
- Cloud System Engineer
“System engineers design and develop innovative cloud-based solutions to address specific business demands. Additionally, they manage, install, test, configure, and maintain operating systems and applications to assure maximum availability. This enables a cloud system to run at peak efficiency.”
Systems engineers design and implement the whole lifecycle functions of the programs required to run and be run on the cloud. This profession is vast and varied but frequently involves developing the processes, optimization, and risk management tools that a project requires to function properly.
- Cloud Databases Administrator
“Historically, cloud database administrators were responsible for database design, installation, and configuration; general database maintenance, including upgrades and troubleshooting; database migration and security; and developer assistance. With the advancement of cloud technology, this vocation also encompasses extra data access-related activities, such as data recovery, security, and access speed.”
Databases are a critical component of running a cloud-based organization, and as a result, database administrators are becoming increasingly vital. While databases are used to collect and convey information about sales, transactions, inventories, customer profiles (such as CRM), and marketing, a database administrator must develop the infrastructure that effectively and efficiently tracks, organizes, and utilizes this information.
Cloud Engineer Job Description
Below are the cloud engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a cloud engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a cloud engineer include the following:
- Managing a cloud environment and debugging activities throughout development Collaborating and identifying cloud solutions with technical teams
- Troubleshooting and resolving cloud-based process difficulties
- Constructing and creating various web applications in a cloud environment
- Automating cloud-based services and platforms
- Migrating data from on-premises systems to cloud-based apps
- Keeping abreast with market trends, emerging technologies, and cloud-based initiatives
- Collaborating with key stakeholders to ascertain the modifications they wish to make to their existing systems.
- Evaluating existing systems to identify any vulnerabilities that could jeopardize cloud security.
- Transferring company data to the cloud and organizing it for easy retrieval
- Maintaining current knowledge of cloud computing technology to provide best practices to their employer or client.
- Upgrading cloud storage space to maximize the retention of files and other critical enterprise data.
- Collaborating with cybersecurity and information technology staff to ensure the protection of firm data stored on computer systems.
- Creating and implementing cloud computing systems that meet the needs of the employer or client.
- Troubleshooting issues that arise as a result of cloud application failures or security breaches
- Collaborating with engineering and development teams to assess and select the most appropriate cloud solutions.
- Modifying and enhancement of current systems.
- Educating teams on new cloud technologies and initiatives.
- Creating, developing, and deploying cloud-based modular systems.
- Creating and maintaining cloud-based systems following industry standards.
- Assuring that data storage and processing processes operate efficiently in compliance with enterprise security policies and cloud security best practices.
- Detecting, assessing, and addressing infrastructure and application deployment vulnerabilities.
- Reviewing existing systems regularly and offering recommendations for enhancements.
- Assessing cloud strategy and program architecture.
- Collecting system requirements in collaboration with application architects and owners
- Developing scripts and templates necessary for resource provisioning to occur automatically.
- Discovering and implementing industry-standard cloud service offers, as well as processes and standards that ensure the most efficient use of cloud service provider products.
- Developing software for the organization’s systems and providing ES as a service.
- Keeping abreast of failures and issues associated with a cloud offering.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related discipline.
- At least three years of experience working in the cloud computing industry.
- Experience with continuous integration/continuous delivery systems.
- SysOps experience.
- Certifications in Azure, AWS, and GCP are desired.
- Analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
Essential Skills
- Cloud Service Providers’ Skills
To begin, it is vital to comprehend the role of cloud service providers in cloud computing. AWS, Microsoft Azure, and OpenStack are just a few of the cloud market giants. These cloud service providers offer a free tier of service, which enables you to gain hands-on experience with them.
- Development Operations (DevOps)
DevOps is the practice of combining software development and operations into a single bucket. It is a well-known framework for reducing work dependencies and bridging the divide between the two teams. It enables an understanding of the entire development lifecycle process, from planning to maintenance.
- Containers
Containers provide logical packaging mechanisms for cloud applications, allowing them to be isolated from their target environment. This abstraction enables easy and continuous redistribution of container-based apps regardless of the target environment being a private data center. There are several popular container platforms, including Docker and Kubernetes.
- Virtualization
Virtual software or serverless computing enables numerous users to reduce their reliance on hardware or to use it more precisely. Acquiring a working knowledge of virtual machines, Lambdas, and Amazon EC2 will enable you to progress toward serverless computing.
- Protection and Recuperation
Organizations are concentrating their efforts on safeguarding their data and apps from attacks and vulnerabilities. Cloud security is concerned with safeguarding data, applications, and disaster recovery systems. As a result, a strong security architecture is a necessary ability for cloud computing.
- Web Services and APIs
Web services and application programming interfaces (APIs) enable developers to integrate web applications via the internet. Cloud architecture is based on application programming interfaces (APIs) and web services. With the cloud architectural framework, it is necessary to pay close attention to the underlying foundation. Understanding web services and application programming interfaces are advantageous when integrating applications. To tag, describe, and transfer data, open standards such as XML, SOAP, UDDI, and WSDL are utilized.
- Database Expertise
Each day, the database must hold 2.5 quintillion bytes of data. Here, the enterprise has taken a greater role in deriving insights from the mountains of data accessible. It is necessary to store, manage, and retrieve the data, which necessitates the use of cloud providers as a cost-effective and convenient alternative. Additionally, cloud storage reduces reliance on PC hard disks. This database proficiency is advantageous for cloud engineers.
- Networking
Organizations coordinate with cloud-based network management features. It has sparked a trend toward cloud-based network administration activities. As a result, a portion of the consumer devices must be used to control the network. Cloud engineers must prioritize making the process as convenient as possible for end-users. Utilizing cloud networking basics simplifies and benefits users, and it is the top talent for cloud engineers.
- Linux
Linux is a well-known open-source operating system that may be customized to meet any business requirement. Organizations require Linux to develop technologies that are used in a wide variety of web pages and applications. Additionally, pursuing the Linux Foundation Certified Systems Administrator (LFCS) certification is beneficial.
- Programming Skills
Java, PHP, and.NET are utilized to unleash the cloud’s possibilities. Some popular programming languages, such as Ruby and Python, are ushering in new eras of cloud computing.
- Problem-Solving skills
As a cloud engineer, you will confront new challenges daily, necessitating the development of superior problem-solving abilities. But most significantly, the dual combination of communication and problem-solving abilities will provide you with an unmatched competitive edge. You will be able to solve problems effectively while communicating your answers to several stakeholders. Problem-solving abilities begin with identifying the issue, which necessitates the use of the appropriate questions. Form the habit of asking the appropriate questions. Additionally, you will need to develop the ability to focus on prospective solutions rather than on the problem itself.
- Communication skills
Communication is without a doubt the most crucial talent you’ll need as a cloud engineer and as a person. Since you will be collaborating with a team of fellow IT experts and external stakeholders (including the client), communication will be a critical component of your job description. Not only will your team members seek guidance, but you will also be required to justify your choices (or inaction) as the project progresses. Additionally, communication skills are in handy while encountering difficulties, making an expected choice, or negotiating with a vendor or stakeholder. You will need to develop the ability to communicate your thoughts precisely. Additionally, you must learn to avoid focusing exclusively on technological difficulty.
- Project Management
If you want to be a successful cloud engineer, you will eventually need to manage projects. Indeed, the sooner you begin managing projects, the faster you will up the success ladder. However, project management is a more difficult task than it appears. This critical soft talent necessitates extensive planning, tracking, and resource management. You must manage all resource planning, from handpicking team members based on their skills to monitoring their productivity. You must essentially oversee and organize nearly every part of the project to guarantee that deadlines are met. The quickest and most effective way to begin learning project management abilities is to observe your team leaders. Assuming complete responsibility for a portion of the project and starting with the smallest duties can also assist you in progressively developing your project management skills.
How to Become a Cloud Engineer
Cloud engineers often begin their careers with four-year degrees in computer technology, and the following steps define the fundamental requirements for becoming a cloud engineer:
- Acquire a bachelor’s degree
Numerous cloud engineers begin their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, and technology, software engineering, or a closely related profession. Choose a bachelor’s program that emphasizes technical components of software and systems infrastructure, computing, and other technical courses.
Additionally, a bachelor’s degree in a discipline connected to computers or technology will prepare you for your career and advanced degrees, if you choose to pursue them.
- Acquire knowledge of programming languages
You must become proficient in various programming languages, as you will be utilizing these abilities daily while performing your job. Python, C++, Java, and Ruby, for example, are fantastic locations to begin honing your programming skills. Along with programming languages, you’ll want to expand your knowledge and proficiency with some of the most popular cloud services, such as AWS, Hadoop, and Azure.
- Acquire practical experience
You must obtain expertise with cloud computing through internships and open-source initiatives. This will assist you in developing a portfolio of work that you can use to demonstrate your competence during future job interviews, and you’ll also gain useful career-related skills. Additionally, practical experience is critical for comprehending how to use your abilities and training in a real-world professional situation.
- Consider pursuing a master’s degree.
Due to their increased level of education, cloud engineers with a master’s degree in a technical discipline may discover additional career prospects. Consider pursuing a graduate degree in a specific technical subject that complements your cloud computing experience, as you’ll gain a deeper understanding of information technology, programming, and development.
For example, a master’s degree in an area such as software engineering or systems engineering can enable you to develop further technical skills and competence, so advancing your career.
- Earn certification in a cloud-based field
Obtain cloud computing certification to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in cloud engineering. Microsoft, Amazon, and Google all offer credentials in cloud computing and engineering that require you to sit for and pass an exam.
For example, Amazon’s AWS Solutions Architect certificate displays your ability to implement security solutions within the AWS cloud environment, while Google’s Associate Cloud Engineer credential demonstrates your skill with cloud computing applications.
Where to Work as a Cloud Engineer
A cloud engineer can operate from virtually any location. They are frequently employed by technology companies or large established corporations with a sizable IT or cloud infrastructure. Amazon and Google continue to dominate the market and offer some of the most lucrative employment prospects.
Cloud Engineer Salary Scale
In the United States, the national average salary for a Cloud Engineer is $111,165 per year.