Who is a cloud engineer? Cloud engineers design and develop cloud-based systems for organizations. Additionally, they collaborate with the dedicated teams to maintain seamless operations, solutions, and management. As businesses worldwide focus on cloud-based systems for their operations, the demand for cloud engineers is increasing rapidly.
This blog will provide you with information regarding cloud engineering, the job roles and responsibilities of a cloud engineer, fundamental skills, and how to become a cloud engineer. You will learn how cloud engineers are pioneers in designing, developing, and managing cloud structures and services for growing businesses.
Table of Contents:
What Is A Cloud Engineer?
Cloud engineering involves developing, designing, managing, and maintaining cloud resources and infrastructures. With the growth of technology, cloud engineering is receiving attention. Cloud technology has provided businesses with a medium to use cloud computing systems. It includes using storage, servers, data, and software analytics.
Cloud engineers are responsible for any type of work associated with cloud computing. They use their engineering principles to ensure that the cloud system and software are secure, reliable, and scalable. Cloud engineers help businesses identify solutions. Moreover, with their assistance, they ensure that businesses meet their needs.
Cloud Engineer Job Description: What Does Cloud Engineer Do?
Cloud engineers’ job roles and responsibilities have several segments depending on the projects and works of the companies. There are multiple key responsibilities of a cloud engineer.
Designing and development
Cloud engineers are responsible for designing and developing cloud-based infrastructures, software applications, and services. Their work includes selecting the cloud platform, creating the architecture framework, and developing automation while fulfilling the client’s needs.
Deployment and cloud migration
Cloud engineers migrate existing applications to the cloud and deploy new applications to the cloud. While migrating the existing applications, they have to ensure that the organization’s current operation is maintained.
Monitoring of the system and optimization of the resources
Cloud engineers are responsible for monitoring the performance of cloud-based systems. They also optimize the use of resources to increase availability and enhance cost-effectiveness. As a result of this monitoring, they troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise.
Safety and security
cloud engineers also implement the required security measures such as encryption, authentication, and access control. They also audit the cloud system to ensure safety and security.
Importance of Cloud Engineers
Cloud engineering is one of the most influential roles that is impacting technology. All the advanced technology, including IoT devices often rely on cloud technology to receive and deliver data. For example, remote energy monitoring solution devices are capable of storing data locally, however, they depend on cloud technology to deliver the data to the operator.
They help in
- Reducing business expenses by optimizing the businesses’ resources.
- Utilizing complete business intelligence by collecting and analyzing data to quickly optimize business operations and achieve future goals.
- Scaling up the businesses seamlessly and faster.
- Increase the safety and security of enterprise operations by mitigating security breaches, maintaining safety, and saving from disasters.
- Building a business collaboration environment with a user-friendly, inclusive system and approach.
Common Types of Cloud Engineer Job Roles
Cloud engineers are encompassed with different kinds of cloud-based job roles. Cloud engineering jobs require many types of expertise. Here are a few job roles:
1. Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
A cloud infrastructure engineer focuses on designing and developing cloud infrastructure, such as cloud storage, networks, and virtual machines.
2. Cloud application Engineer
Cloud application engineers develop and deploy cloud-based applications for optimal performance, security, and scalability.
3. Cloud System Engineer
Cloud system engineers work on integrating cloud systems into the existing system. Additionally, they focus on seamless transfer between these two mediums.
4. Cloud Security Engineer
Cloud Security engineers work on putting security measures in cloud-based systems combined with regulations for the cloud-based environment.
5. Cloud Automation Engineer
Cloud automation Engineers primarily focus on automation and integration.
6. Cloud Administrator
Cloud administrators manage cloud-based hardware and cloud-based software systems.
7. Cloud Network Engineer
Cloud network engineers support and manage the network infrastructure and connection between the provider and solutions.
Key Skills of Cloud Engineers
Cloud engineers must have a few critical skills in the following areas:
Programming skills
Cloud engineers should have a deep understanding of programming languages and have strong programming skills. Moreover, a skilled cloud engineer knows programming languages like SQL, Java, Golan, PHP, Python, .NET, and others.
Linux operating system
Cloud engineers must have in-depth knowledge of the Linux operating system, which is mostly used in cloud development. They should understand the architecture, administration, and maintenance of Linux operating system-based servers.
Networking
Cloud engineers have to understand general and virtual connection management.
Database skills
Cloud engineers should have Database skills. Examples of database skills are MySQL, Hadoop, and other cloud-based management.
Security and recovery
Cloud security is becoming a massive concern among cloud security providers and clients. Hence, cloud engineers must know about cloud security.
Web services and APIs
Cloud engineers should be knowledgeable of open standards such as Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Web Services Description Language (WSDL), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI), and APIs.
DevOps
In cloud engineering, DevOps is one of the essential frameworks. Hence, having a great understanding of DevOps practices can be valuable for businesses. Amazon Web Services (AWS) DevOps is one of the essentials in the DevOps list.
Containerization
Cloud engineers must know about containerization, Docker, and Kubernetes.
Virtualization
Cloud engineers must also know how to deploy and run software applications on virtual machines.
Cloud providers
As there are several cloud providers in the market, understanding the cloud can enhance the knowledge of cloud engineers.
Market Demand for Cloud Engineering
Cloud computing is rapidly growing in India and worldwide. Due to the massive growth of cloud computing, the demand for skilled cloud engineering professionals is increasing daily. The cloud service market is said to expand by 17.9% from 2022 to 2028. The growth is due to increasing cloud computing adoption. Hence, cloud computing is providing greater career opportunities to individuals.
Salary Packages of Cloud Engineers
Cloud engineer salaries are based on experience level, location, skills, education, certification, and work location. According to GlassDoor and AmbitionBox, the average Salary of a cloud engineer in India is 750,000 Rupees per annum. The top-paying companies are IBM, Oracle, Amazon, Cisco, Rackspace, and others.
How to Become a Cloud Engineer
Candidates who are willing to work as a cloud engineer have to focus on the following segments:
Education
A cloud engineer must have a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. A few companies even prefer a Master of Science degree in one of the previously mentioned streams.
Certification
Some organizations prefer certificates along with education and other skills. Thus, it helps the companies to get candidates with good knowledge.
A few of the popular certifications are:
- Vendor-specific certifications. Examples: Microsoft, AWS, and others.
- Skill certifications. Example: Cloud administration, Cloud security.
Experience
Most businesses prefer cloud computing candidates with at least three to 5 years of experience with cloud-based systems. Examples of cloud systems are system engineering, software development, source technology, and other cloud provider systems. Additionally, they prefer loud engineers with a background in designing or developing cloud web services.
Many established companies seek cloud engineers with experience with Linux, Rackspace, Microsoft Azure, Google’s compute engine, AWS, and others. Candidates should have experience in automation, APIs, DevOps, databases, AI, etc.
Programming Languages
Cloud engineers should know several programming languages, such as Java, Ruby, Python, C++, and more.
Internships
Internships are essential for candidates who want to work as cloud engineers. They are a great way to learn about the job role description and gain experience in this field.
Conclusion
The role of the cloud engineer is significant right now. As several businesses are migrating their operations to the cloud, cloud engineers play an essential role in achieving goals with cloud-based services, infrastructure, and storage.
Cloud engineers focus on infrastructures, seamless operations, disaster management, and business scaling. In short, with cloud engineers, companies can achieve massive success in digital transformation and management.
FAQ
Q. Is coding required for cloud engineers?
A: Managing data, ensuring data quality, machine learning, storage optimization, and other skills are part of a cloud engineer’s job role. For cloud engineers, SQL, and scripting knowledge is essential. This role does not require advanced coding skills.
Q. Which language is used in cloud computing?
A: Several programming languages are used in cloud computing. People mostly prefer Python because it is easy to learn and integrate into the system.
Q. Is it hard to learn cloud computing?
A: Learning cloud computing is considered to be a difficult skill. To study cloud computing, you should know primary programming languages for automation.
Q. Can I self-learn cloud computing?
A: Yes. You can self-learn cloud computing. Cloud computing is an important skill that you can learn from various resources, such as informative YouTube videos and special courses. After the basics, do small personal projects for practical experience.
