How to Become a Cloud Engineer
by Danielle Antosz | Published on November 26, 2024
If you've ever wondered who keeps things running smoothly as businesses transition their infrastructure to the cloud, the answer is simple: cloud engineers. As cloud computing becomes the backbone of IT infrastructure, cloud engineers are more in demand than ever.
Think of cloud engineers as city planners for a cloud-powered city. They're responsible for designing and building the roads (network), buildings (storage and applications), and utilities (computing power). Once the city is up and running, they're also responsible for keeping traffic flowing smoothly, fixing problems, and upgrading infrastructure to handle growth.
What is a Cloud Engineer?
Cloud engineers are IT professionals who design, launch, and manage cloud-based infrastructure. They ensure that cloud-based solutions are reliable, scalable, and secure. Whether the infrastructure is for hosting websites, running applications, or storing data, cloud engineers ensure the cloud works seamlessly and stays secure.
As more companies embrace the cloud to reduce costs, improve scalability, and boost flexibility, they need professionals capable of handling the transition and keeping their systems running. Cloud engineers are responsible for making this all possible.
5 Key Responsibilities of Cloud Engineers
What exactly does a cloud engineer do? While the exact tasks can vary by company and solution, their core duties include:
Designing Scalable Solutions: Crafting cloud architectures that grow with a company’s needs.
Managing Infrastructure: Overseeing services like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud to keep systems running smoothly.
Monitoring and Optimization: Ensuring systems perform efficiently while maintaining security and reliability.
Collaborating with Developers: Working with teams to build and maintain cloud-native applications.
Implementing Security Measures: Guarding against cyber threats in the cloud environment.
A Day in the Life of a Cloud Engineer
While no two days are ever the same (that’s part of the excitement!), a typical day as a cloud engineer might look like this:
Morning: Set up a new cloud environment for an upcoming project, configuring resources to meet the team’s needs. Respond to emails or tickets from colleagues reporting access issues or requesting changes to their cloud resources. You might also check monitoring dashboards to ensure all systems are running smoothly.
Midday: Dive into troubleshooting performance issues flagged by monitoring tools or user feedback. This could involve tweaking configurations, allocating more resources, or optimizing workloads to improve efficiency.
Afternoon: Collaborate with development teams on cloud-native applications, ensuring they’re optimized for the platform and aligned with best practices. Then, sit down with project managers to map out a rollout plan for deploying updates or new features, balancing timelines and technical constraints.
Evening: Wrap up the day by reviewing and updating security protocols to protect the cloud environment from potential threats. This could mean implementing new measures, patching vulnerabilities, or running security scans to ensure compliance.
Must-Have Skills for a Cloud Engineer
If you're serious about becoming a cloud engineer, you'll need to master a lot of new tech. Start with proficiency in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Understanding all the major players gives you a strong foundation, but specializing in your organization's platform is key.
You’ll also need a solid understanding of cloud networking and storage, including how data moves between services and is stored securely. Add scripting skills in Python or Bash to automate tasks, deploy infrastructure, and troubleshoot efficiently.
Finally, containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes are crucial for managing and scaling applications. Containers ensure consistent deployments, while Kubernetes helps orchestrate them seamlessly.
Cloud Engineer Industry Demand and Job Outlook
Let’s get one thing straight: cloud engineers are in demand, and that’s not changing anytime soon. As businesses large and small migrate to the cloud, the need for experts who can navigate this terrain has surged. Whether it’s tech startups or Fortune 500 companies, skilled cloud engineers are in high demand across industries.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that all computer and IT occupations will grow rapidly in the coming years, but it doesn't break down the stats specifically for cloud engineers. However, Indeed shows more than 1,000 jobs in cloud engineering in Ohio, for example. And 70% of organizations report more than half of their infrastructure is in the cloud.
You don't need to read between the lines to see that cloud engineers are in demand!
Education and Training Resources to Become a Cloud Engineer
If you're interested in joining the ranks of cloud engineers, you'll need some training—maybe even a lot of training. A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is often the starting point. Bonus points if you find a program with a focus on cloud computing.
In addition to a bachelor's degree, you'll also need at least one certification, but more can be better, depending on the platform your organization uses. Popular certifications for cloud engineers include:
These certifications not only boost your resume but also show potential employers you've got what it takes to help them make the most of the cloud.
Cloud Engineer Career Path and Progression
Like most IT careers, cloud engineers generally start with an entry-level IT role, with people taking on more technical roles as they gain experience. While the exact career path will vary a bit, here's a general idea of what to expect:
Entry-Level Positions: Many start in roles such as cloud support technician, systems administrator, or DevOps engineer, where they gain foundational cloud knowledge.
Advancement Opportunities: As you gain experience, you make progress to senior cloud engineer roles, cloud architects, or even cloud security specialists.
Alternative Career Paths: Do you prefer variety? Cloud engineers may pivot into careers in DevOps, cloud consulting, or cloud development, depending on their skills and interests.
Cloud Engineer vs. DevOps Engineer: What's the Difference?
Cloud engineers and DevOps engineers have very different focus areas. Cloud engineers are specialists in designing, implementing, and managing cloud environments. They ensure the infrastructure is scalable, secure, and optimized for the organization's needs. Their work revolves around specific cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, tailoring solutions to harness the full potential of these ecosystems.
DevOps engineers prioritize automating and streamlining the software development lifecycle. They focus on creating efficient workflows to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. While they may also use cloud platforms, their work spans multiple environments, aiming to optimize everything from code deployment to system monitoring.
The roles overlap in tasks like ensuring system reliability, collaborating with development teams, and implementing security measures. However, the key distinction lies in their scope: cloud engineers are platform-focused, building and maintaining the infrastructure, while DevOps engineers are process-focused, driving automation and efficiency across systems.
How Much Does a Cloud Engineer Make?
Let's face it—compensation matters. Nobody gets into IT out of the goodness of their heart. So, what can you expect to make? Like most roles, as you gain experience, you'll earn more cash. Here's what you can expect to make:
Experience Level | Average Salary |
Entry-Level (0-2 years) | $75,000 - $95,000 |
Mid-Level (3-5 years) | $95,000 - $120,000 |
Senior-Level (5+ years) | $120,000 - $150,000+ |
(Source: Glassdoor, [10/08/2024])
Keep in mind that external factors can also impact compensation. These include geographic location, certifications, and industry. Tech hubs like San Francisco or Seattle often offer higher salaries, as do industries like finance or healthcare.
Final Thoughts
Does cloud engineering sound like an exciting career? If you’re ready to take the leap, start by gaining technical skills, pursuing relevant certifications, and exploring entry-level roles. It’s a career path filled with opportunities, challenges, and the chance to significantly impact the tech world. The cloud isn’t just the future—it’s the present, and it needs people like you to keep it running.
Want to learn more about becoming a cloud engineer? Consider this AWS Certified Solutions Architect online training.