How to Become a Cloud Engineer: The Ultimate Guide

Cloud technology has gained popularity over the past two decades as the most effective way for businesses to increase their computing capabilities and securely store data.

Today, the demand for cloud engineers continues to increase as companies realize how valuable cloud services can be in their operations. As a result, cloud engineering professionals can negotiate fantastic job offers with lucrative compensation.

In addition, the gradual shift to remote work allows workers to achieve a better work-life balance. If you’re looking to start building a cloud engineering career, this guide will help you understand cloud engineering and how to become one.

What is cloud engineering?

Cloud engineering involves designing, developing, operating, and maintaining computer system resources for improved data storage and computational efficiency. It applies engineering principles in designing systems that leverage cloud services to solve organizational and consumer computing problems.

These cloud services include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). To become a cloud engineer, several technical skills must be acquired.

For example, you must have knowledge of information technology, systems and web engineering. You must also be familiar with security, software, service, and platform engineering concepts and processes.

It is important to note that cloud computing is different from cloud engineering. Cloud engineering is relatively broad, with multiple subfields and specialties. This includes cloud architecture, automation technology, cloud software engineering, cloud network technology and cloud security technology.

• cloud architecture: Building, maintaining, and managing cloud infrastructure and applications is the primary responsibility of cloud architecture professionals.
• Cloud automation technology: Cloud automation engineers ensure that cloud services are built to run smoothly without active user management.
• Cloud software engineering: This includes the development and maintenance of databases, software and cloud technology applications.
• cloud network technology: Working in this area is about connecting users and providers of cloud services. Cloud network engineers are responsible for managing the network infrastructure.
• Cloud security technology: This position is about keeping cloud-based platforms secure. Cloud security engineers typically design and maintain features or processes that mitigate security threats and privacy breaches from cloud-based platforms.

What does a cloud engineer do?

A cloud engineer typically manages an organization’s cloud systems and processes. However, each engineer’s duties and specific activities differ based on their role and specialization. Here is a short list of what a cloud engineer’s job typically entails:

• Use of cloud providers like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, AWS or others to build a cloud architecture
• Managing access to cloud-based systems and ensuring their security
• Export of existing infrastructure and information to cloud systems
• Management, maintenance and troubleshooting of cloud-based systems and platforms.

Organizations hire cloud engineers to deploy cloud services, improve cloud resource utilization, or gain insight into cloud service operations.

How to become a cloud engineer

It’s easier to become a cloud engineer today because there are many resources available to get you started. However, it still takes a lot of hard work and dedication to break into and develop the necessary skills for a successful career in this field. Here’s how you can do it.

1. Obtain a degree in computer science or another information technology discipline

Getting an education is the first step if you want to become a cloud engineer. You must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a computer science or information technology career, such as software development or data analysis.

These programs provide you with the fundamental knowledge and technical skills you need to build a career in cloud engineering. In addition, you can earn postgraduate degrees, such as a Masters, to increase your marketability in the job market.

2. Take online courses and certifications

You can also develop practical, job-ready skills by earning cloud computing certifications. Examples of certifications in cloud computing include Amazon’s AWS Cloud Security and Cloud Software Development certifications that you can prepare for and earn quickly. Others are:

3. Become an expert in multiple programming languages

Programming knowledge is required for cloud development and operation. Therefore, cloud engineers need to be familiar with programming languages. You should be proficient in programming languages ​​such as Python, Java, PHP, SQL, Ruby, and Golang.

In addition, you should have a solid foundation in the Linux operating system, its architecture, running and maintaining its servers. As a cloud engineer, you must be familiar with Linux operating system processes as most companies use them for cloud development. Furthermore, knowledge of DevOps practices is an added benefit as a cloud engineer as DevOps is a widely used framework in cloud engineering.

4. Understand the operations of cloud service providers

Technical characteristics and cloud operation differ from one cloud service provider to another. Therefore, you should have a solid knowledge of cloud service providers and how they work.

This allows you to determine the best cloud service to deploy to meet your organization’s needs. In addition, it is important to understand how cloud service providers work in order to effectively manage your organization’s cloud resources.

5. Build an arsenal of technical skills

Cloud engineers need to master various technical skills, including basic cloud computing skills, to be successful in the workplace and take their careers to the next level. One of them is computer networking. You should know how to connect computer systems and understand virtual networks.

As a general rule of thumb, the technical expertise of a cloud engineer is very important in cloud database management. They should also be familiar with database tools like MySQL and have a strong understanding of cloud security and recovery, as this is a priority for cloud service providers and users.

6. Find entry-level cloud computing roles to gain experience

Because cloud engineering roles are highly technical, starting your career in a middle-level position can be difficult. Many employers typically hire cloud engineering professionals with three to five years of experience. However, you can gain hands-on cloud engineering experience by finding internships and entry-level opportunities in cloud computing.

For starters, you can apply for internships at companies like Microsoft to gain industry exposure and hands-on experience. Other companies like Google and Amazon AWS also have fantastic cloud engineering departments and are always looking for exciting talent. These give you the experience you need to apply for higher-level positions and better opportunities.

reach for the clouds

Cloud engineering is a rapidly growing field with many exciting benefits, and the importance of cloud engineers in this digital age is evident. However, you need to understand the technicalities, gather the necessary knowledge, and gain experience to better position yourself for the opportunities in this space.