what is a cloud engineer?
As a cloud engineer, your primary role is to maintain existing cloud infrastructures or design new ones. Cloud engineers work behind the scenes to ensure that cloud technology keeps up with the increasing data demand of streaming services and cloud backups.
Since cloud engineering is broad, the responsibilities are usually broken down into specific roles like cloud architecture, development and administration. In cloud architecture, your focus is on configuring cloud infrastructure to ensure that it functions as expected. When you configure services in the cloud environment, the right users can access them, and the company doesn't incur unnecessary charges. Since you design the organization’s cloud system blueprints, you ensure that the company has access to the applications it needs.
As a cloud engineer, you are also in charge of development. You write the code that creates the functions, databases and applications running on the cloud. You ensure that cloud technologies are efficient and have the best features. For instance, the applications and databases should have fast load times, use little storage space and support multiple browsers. You make this happen.
After developing and deploying cloud technologies, cloud engineers also monitor and manage the networks. Administration involves managing on-premise software and cloud services. That includes developing policies for using cloud services and creating a secure cloud environment.
Would working in IT as a cloud engineer suit your interest in programming and innovative skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a cloud engineer role.
view jobs near youaverage cloud engineer salary
Would you like to know what a cloud engineer earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a cloud engineer? Then check out this cloud engineer salary page and find out all about the salary of a cloud engineer in the USA.
types of cloud engineers
Cloud engineers usually specialize in various roles associated with cloud technology. Some of the types of cloud engineers based on the area of specialization include:
- cloud architects: As a cloud engineer responsible for cloud architecture, you design applications and the cloud infrastructure. You also plan and design the cloud distribution systems for an organization. Since you are responsible for migrating an organization’s on-premise applications to the cloud, you optimize costs. You also recognize the relevant cloud services used by the company to avoid overspending on unnecessary applications.
- cloud developers: As a cloud developer, you use your programming skills to develop and deploy cloud applications. You identify the best cloud-based solutions for users and determine how they respond on different platforms. You also debug cloud-based applications to ensure the functions run as expected.
- cloud administrators: Your role as a cloud administrator is similar to a traditional systems administrator, but you manage cloud-based services. You develop implementation policies for cloud services and ensure the cloud applications are secure. You also ensure the cloud services have minimal downtime and manage new technology requests.
working as a cloud engineer
Working as a cloud engineer requires you to have expert coding skills to develop and design applications. Here is what your day as a cloud engineer might entail.
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cloud engineer job description
You may ask yourself "What does a cloud engineer do?" Some of the standard tasks of a cloud engineer include:
- designing cloud infrastructure: As a cloud engineer, you design distributed applications and systems. You use your technical knowledge in distributed applications and systems to design cloud infrastructure. From the design plans, you can develop blueprints of the application design.
- migrating a company's applications to the cloud system: As a cloud engineer, you determine the cloud services that your employer needs. You also migrate the company's on-premise applications to the cloud platform after setting up the infrastructure. After migrating the applications, you maintain the cloud usage to ensure it performs the intended functions.
- optimizing costs of cloud services: Cloud technology offers multiple services, but many organizations use only a few. When selecting the contracts for cloud services, you analyze its terms. Compare what the company intends to use on the cloud-based service and find a cost-effective solution. Your job is to ensure that the company pays for the applications they need.
- developing cloud applications: As a cloud engineer, your role also involves developing cloud applications. You use your programming skills to develop and deploy the applications. You write code used to program the functions of an application. Aside from developing the applications, you debug the systems and troubleshoot errors.
- managing cloud applications: You are responsible for managing and monitoring the cloud technology. For instance, you regulate the use of cloud applications and conduct regular maintenance to check for problems. You also carry out security checks to ensure the cloud applications are secure.
- identifying bottlenecks and minimizing downtimes: You closely monitor the cloud applications for problems that require troubleshooting. Any bottleneck that affects performance can lead to downtimes or failure, and it's your job to prevent these from happening.
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cloud engineer work environment
A cloud engineer works in companies that provide cloud technologies and solutions or in the IT departments of larger corporations that rely on cloud technology. You'll work at a desk since you spend significant time programming cloud applications, designing the cloud architecture or troubleshooting problems. Cloud engineers usually work in creative office spaces alongside other developers. The role rarely involves meeting clients, but you attend conferences and boot camps to improve your skills. Since you perform all the functions on a computer, you can generally work from home.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the employer, a cloud engineer's colleagues may include systems engineers, front-end developers and full-stack developers. You also work with software developers and SysOps engineers, as well as other specialists, including project managers, cloud administrators and system administrators.
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work schedule
A cloud engineer works over 40 hours a week developing and maintaining cloud applications. You mostly work the standard business hours, but some organizations require working night shifts when migrating applications to avoid disrupting other workers. Most cloud engineers are hired for full-time positions. However, you can find short-term contracts or part-time positions. Freelancing opportunities are also available.
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job outlook for cloud engineer
Working as a cloud engineer is a promising career with great prospects because of the high demand for cloud technology specialists. As many companies are migrating their records online, cloud engineers are required to build the infrastructures. As a cloud engineer, you can specialize in diverse specialisms or progress upward. Some cloud engineers become solution architects, cloud developers or SysOps engineers. Others become project managers or cloud technology consultants.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for computer-based and IT occupations is $100,530 as of May 2022. This is more than double the American national average, which is $46,310; hence, it shows that an occupation as a cloud engineer is lucrative.
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benefits of working for randstad as a cloud engineer
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a cloud engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
cloud engineer skills and education
To become a cloud engineer, you will have to gain the required experience and skills through graduate certificates, certifications, work or boot camp. As a recent graduate, you may work under the guidance of an experienced cloud engineer as a junior engineer. Ideally, you would have a bachelor’s degree in IT to work as a cloud engineer.
You may also pursue a degree in computer science because of its emphasis on theory as well as its broad scope. Most cloud engineers hold majors in database management, network engineering and software engineering. These majors are available both in-person and online for maximum convenience.
Depending on your employer, you may not need a degree. Instead, all you need to do is complete a coding boot camp successfully and demonstrate your skills during a technical interview. Furthermore, as a cloud engineer, you should be proficient in the following programming languages:
- PHP
- Ruby
- Python
- C++
- Java
It is a good idea for you to master multiple computer languages because this will make you appear more versatile before your potential employers. Luckily, Ruby, PHP and Python are among the easiest programming languages to grasp.
As a cloud engineer, you should also focus on coding in many different ways. A degree in computer science or IT offers required coursework in Python, C++ or Java. Pursuing it will, therefore, help you learn coding in multiple ways.
Coding boot camps offer another way to learn coding in different ways. A coding boot camp may last between three and six months and cost thousands of dollars. For this reason, you should prepare adequately before joining one.
skills and competencies
Some of the skills of a cloud engineer include:
- coding and technical skills: As a cloud engineer, programming skills are crucial for writing codes for various applications. Learning coding improves your career prospects. You also need technical skills in operating and running cloud-based applications and services.
- teamwork skills: In cloud engineering, you work alongside a team to ensure optimal performance. For instance, some cloud engineers specialize in development while others are administrators. Since all the roles are necessary for the optimal performance of cloud-based services, working together is crucial. Teamwork allows you to discuss problems, accept criticism and learn from others.
- problem-solving skills: As a cloud engineer, you encounter problems in the development or maintenance of cloud services. Exceptional problem-solving skills are necessary for troubleshooting and debugging cloud services.
FAQs about working as a cloud engineer
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about cloud engineers.
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what do I need to know as a cloud engineer?
As a cloud engineer, you need to have strong technical skills, which include experience with cloud-based technologies. These technologies are Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Additionally, you must familiarize yourself with storage, networking and virtualization.
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do I need to know coding to succeed in cloud engineering?
Contrary to what most people believe, you do not need to be a seasoned programmer to excel in cloud engineering. However, it is still a good idea to learn coding so that you can become versatile in cloud engineering.
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which cloud service is simple to learn?
AWS is one of the easiest cloud services to learn. Therefore, if you are a beginner, you can start with it and master it quickly. If you are new to the IT world, you may need to consider starting with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01) training and exam.
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how long does a degree in IT or computer science take?
A computer science degree takes around four years to complete, assuming you attend school full-time. As an aspiring cloud engineer, earning a degree in computer science or IT will provide you with both the rudimentary and advanced knowledge to succeed in your career.
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is cloud engineering a strong career choice?
Cloud engineering is a good career because it comes with lucrative average salaries. Additionally, job possibilities and security in cloud engineering are numerous and keep growing since most companies are now embracing cloud computing due to its crucial benefits.
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how do I find a job as a cloud engineer?
Applying for a cloud engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our cloud engineer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
