How to Become a DevOps Engineer

DevOps engineers are a group of influential individuals who encapsulates depth of knowledge and years of hands-on experience around a wide variety of open-source technologies and tools. They come with core attributes which involve an ability to code and script, data management skills as well as a strong focus on business outcomes. They are rightly called “Special Forces” who hold core attributes around collaboration, open communication and reaching across functional borders.

DevOps engineer always shows interest and comfort working with frequent, incremental code testing and deployment. With a strong grasp of automation tools, these individuals are expected to move the business quicker and forward, at the same time giving a stronger technology advantage. In nutshell, a DevOps engineer must have a solid interest in scripting and coding, skill in taking care of deployment automation, framework computerization and capacity to deal with the version control system.

How to Become a DevOps Engineer in 5 Simple Steps?

DevOps is less about doing things a particular way, and more about moving the business forward and giving it a stronger technological advantage. There is not a single cookbook or path to become a DevOps professional. It's a continuous learning and consulting process. All DevOps tasks have been originated from various development, testing, ops team consulting through consultants and running pilots, therefore it’s hard to give a generic playbook for how to get it implemented. Everyone should start with learning about the values, principles, methods, and practices of DevOps and trying to share it via any channel and keep learning.

Step 1: Master Necessary Skills

If you’re aiming to land a job as a DevOps engineer this year, it’s not only about having a deep specialized skill but understanding how a variety of technologies and skills come together. One of the things that makes DevOps both challenging to break into is that you need to be able to write code, and also to work across and integrate different systems and applications. Based on my experience, we have finalized on the list of top skill sets which you might require to be a successful DevOps engineer:

Soft Skills

Soft skills are now among the most sought-after abilities among technology executives. Businesses worldwide are spending money on upskilling to compensate for the lack of soft skills. Full-stack engineers with DevOps soft skills are in high demand among employers. So, if you possess the soft abilities listed below, you will have an advantage over others. The following are the essential soft skills of a DevOps engineer:

• Collaboration and communication

• Empathy

• Leadership

• Customer experience

• Problem-solving

DevOps engineers are the individuals in an organization who will lead the organization toward the next phase of autonomous delivery. DevOps continues to change workplace culture; therefore, smart, creative, and resilient engineers are needed. Engineers who can communicate well, lead with empathy and honesty, and challenge themselves will succeed.

Technical Skills

i. SysAdmin with Virtualization Experience

Deployment is a major requirement in DevOps role and ops engineer are good at that, all is needed is a deployments automation engine (chef, puppet, ansible) knowledge and its use-cases implementations. Nowadays, most of public clouds are running multiple flavors of virtualization so a must have 3 – 5 years of virtualization experience with VMware, KVM, Xen, Hyper-V is required along.

ii. Solution Architect Role

Along with deployments or virtualization experience, understanding and implementation of all the hardware technologies in breadth is a must like storage and networking. Nowadays there is a very high demand for people who can design a solution that scales and performs with high availability and uptime with minimal number of resources to feed on (Max utilization).

iii. A Passionate Programmer/API Expertise

Bash, PowerShell, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, Go, Python etc. are few of popular scripting languages one need to have expertise on to become an effective DevOps Engineer. A DevOps engineer must be able to write code to automated repeatable processes. One need to be familiar with RESTFUL APIs.

iv. Integration Skillset around CI-CD tool

A DevOps engineer should be able to use all his expertise to integrate all the open-source tools and techniques to create an environment that is fully automated and integrated. The goal should be for zero manual intervention from source code management to deployment state, i.e., Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment.

v. Bigger Picture & Customer Focus

While the strong focus on coding chops makes software engineering a natural path to a career in DevOps, the challenge for candidates who are coming from this world is that they need to be able to prove that they can look outside their immediate team and project. DevOps engineers are responsible for facilitating collaboration and communication between the Development and IT teams within an organization, so to succeed in an interview, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate your understanding of how disparate parts of the technical organization fit and work together.

In nutshell, all you need are the list of tools and technologies listed below -

• Source Control (like Git, Bitbucket, Svn, VSTS etc.)

• Continuous Integration (like Jenkins, Bamboo, VSTS)

• Infrastructure Automation (like Puppet, Chef, Ansible)

• Deployment Automation & Orchestration (like Jenkins, VSTS, Octopus Deploy)

• Container Concepts (LXD, Docker)

• Orchestration (Kubernetes, Mesos, Swarm)

• Cloud (like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Openstack)

Other Competencies

DevOps' worth has continued to rise as digital transformation and cloud adoption projects have become pervasive across nearly all economic sectors. Corporations are interested in DevOps. There is frequently a lot of competition for positions in the market, as well as a decline in the average income. As a result, a prospective DevOps Engineer will seek diverse abilities. Help close the skills gap between development and operations and set yourself up for a job on a DevOps team by being good at the following:

• Continuous delivery
• Understanding of multiple DevOps tools
• Automation
• Cloud
• Security skills
• Automation skills
• Learning Proactive Monitoring

If you are new to the DevOps environment, the list of DevOps skill sets may appear lengthy. Still, these are the core DevOps engineer skills that organizations are searching for, and understanding these can give your CV a competitive edge. As you improve your DevOps Engineer skills, you'll understand the industry better.

Top Cyber Security Certifications / Degrees

DevOps professionals are in huge demand. The demand for DevOps professionals in the current IT marketplace has increased exponentially over the years. A certification in DevOps is a complete win-win scenario, with both the individual professional and the organization as a whole standing to gain from its implementation. Completing a certification in the same will not only provide added value to one’s profile as an IT specialist but also advance career prospects faster than would usually be possible.

The certifications related to DevOps are categorized into.
         1)  Foundation
         2) Certified Agile Process Owner&
         3) Certified Agile Service Manager

If you are looking out for the “official” certification programs for DevOps, below are some of the useful links:

1) AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
2) Azure certifications | Microsoft
3) Google Cloud Certifications
4) Chef Certification
5) Red Hat Certificate of Expertise in Ansible Automation
6) Certification - SaltStack
7) Puppet certification
8) Jenkins Certification
9) NGINX University
10) Docker - Certification
11) Kubernetes Certified Administrator
12) Kubernetes Certified Application Developer
13) Splunk | Education Programs
14) Certifications | AppDynamics
15) New Relic University Certification Center
16) Elasticsearch Certification Programme
17) SAFe DevOps course

The introductory DevOps Certification is Foundation and certified individuals are able to execute the concepts and best practices of DevOps and enhance workflow and communication in the enterprise. And yes, these DevOps certifications hold numerous benefits in the following ways:

Step 2: Determine Your Ideal Timeline

Start Learning in a Format That Suits You

The easiest way to learn in a format that works for you is to figure out what learner you are. Are you a visual learner who needs diagrams and illustrations to grasp concepts? Are you an auditory learner who requires lectures and dialogues to grasp concepts? Or are you a kinesthetic learner who requires physical interaction with items to grasp concepts?

Once you've determined your learning style, you can hunt for resources that are tailored to it. These are the following resources that will help you get a hook on the learning process:

• Read DevOps Books and Articles
• Watch DevOps Videos
• Take DevOps Training
• Participate in DevOps Conferences
• Participate in a DevOps Community

How Long Does It Take to Become a Cybersecurity Specialist?

The level of schooling, work experience, and certification a person seeks all influence how long it takes them to become a cybersecurity specialist. Generally, becoming a cybersecurity specialist takes between one and three years, based on the individual's experience and the sort of certification pursued.

A bachelor's degree in an area related to cybersecurity is required to become a cybersecurity engineer. Computer Science, IT, and Software Engineering are a few examples. Previously, most companies would not require such a degree if an applicant was skilled enough, but as competition has increased, many corporations have adopted this criterion.

You can get a master's in cybersecurity if you have a bachelor's in another discipline. It is crucial to becoming a Senior Cyber Security Engineer. Get certified in related fields to boost your career.

Step 3: Begin Building Your Portfolio / Resume

Portfolio Example or Resume Template for Download
Container technologies with Docker and Kubernetes, CI/CD with Jenkins, AWS CodePipeline, GitHub Actions, Configuration management with Ansible, and other tools will be featured in the DevOps engineer portfolios. Building end-to-end DevOps pipelines and adding them to a portfolio shows future employers that you understand software architecture and how to apply DevOps tools and technologies within the software development and release lifecycle.

Writing blog articles on each element of the DevOps project will demonstrate expertise and competence while also helping to establish a personal brand. Due to the range of skill sets and tools in DevOps, the DevOps portfolio can be highly intimidating. Check out this blog on how to create a perfect DevOps Engineer resume and download templates for your reference.

Step 4: Know where and how to find a job in the field of DevOps.

Top Companies Hiring DevOps Engineer

The list given below points out the top ten firms that wish to hire DevOps engineers because it benefits them in various ways, including shorter development cycles, more frequent deployments, and a shorter time to market.

• Amazon
• Microsoft
• Google
• IBM
• Dell
• Cisco
• Oracle
• VMware
• Red Hat
• Accenture

These are the most well-known companies that you can aim for.

Job Outlook for DevOps Engineer

The job market for DevOps Engineers is quite promising. As firms continue implementing DevOps methods and technology, the need for DevOps engineers is projected to expand dramatically in the coming years.

The job outlook for software developers, which comprises DevOps Engineers, is expected to expand by 15% between 2021 and 2031, significantly faster than the national average. The increased demand for software engineers to construct and manage apps, networks, and tools to help firms function more efficiently drives this growth. As a result, DevOps engineers are in high demand, and their employment prospects are quite promising.

Step 5: Ace the Interview

A DevOps engineer interview involves a blend of technical and behavioral questions. Technical interviews usually include questions about the candidate's experience with DevOps tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Ansible, as well as questions about system design and scripting.

Behavioral interviews often include questions regarding the candidate's teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. A technical evaluation, such as a coding task or a system design exercise, may be included in the interview process. Check out our extensive list of DevOps interview questions.

DevOps Interview Tips

Here are some common things to keep in mind before giving the interview:

• Research the company and role before the interview.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of DevOps principles and technologies.
• Be ready to discuss how you've solved problems in DevOps.
• Be ready to discuss how you've used automation to improve processes and productivity in DevOps.
• Show your interest in DevOps and working with the company.

Who Can Become a DevOps Engineer?

Anyone with the necessary abilities and experience can work as a DevOps engineer. A DevOps engineer often requires solid expertise in software development, systems administration, and automation. They should also be familiar with programming languages like Python, Ruby, or Bash and cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Furthermore, understanding DevOps processes and methodologies is critical for success.

DevOps Engineer Requirements

• A degree in computer science, information technology, or a closely related discipline is required.
• At least three years of DevOps engineering experience is required.
• It is necessary to be familiar with scripting languages such as Python, Bash, and PowerShell.
• Knowledge of cloud computing systems such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
• Containerization solutions such as Docker and Kubernetes are preferred.
• Understanding of source control technologies like Git and SVN.
• Ansible and Chef expertise with automation and configuration management tools.
• Capable of troubleshooting and debugging complex systems.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to operate both independently and collaboratively.

Useful Tips

Here are 10 golden tips to become a DevOps Engineer:
    1.  Develop Your Personal Brand with Community Involvement
    2. Get familiar with IaC(Infrastructure-as-Code) - CM
    3. Understand DevOps Principles & Frameworks
    4. Demonstrate Curiosity & Empathy
    5. Get certified on Container Technologies - Docker | Kubernetes| Cloud
    6. Get Expert in Public | Private | Hybrid Cloud offering
    7. Become an Operations Expert before you even THINK DevOps
    8. Get Hands-on with various Linux Distros & Tools
    9. Arm Yourself with CI-CD, Automation & Monitoring Tools (GitHub, Jenkins, Puppet, Ansible etc.)
    10. Start with Process Re-Engineering and Cross-collaboration within your teams.

Why Get into the Field of DevOps?

What’s the Demand for DevOps Professionals?

1. Better Job Opportunities

DevOps is a relatively new idea in the IT domain with more businesses looking at employing DevOps processes and practices. There is a major gap between the demand for DevOps Certified professionals and the availability of the required DevOps professionals. IT professionals can take advantage of this huge deficit in highly skilled professionals by taking up a certification in DevOps for validation of DevOps skill set. This will ensure and guarantee much better job options.

2. Improved Skills & Knowledge

The core concept of DevOps revolves around brand new decision-making methods and thought processes. DevOps comes with a host of technical and business benefits which upon learning can be implemented in an enterprise. The fundamentals of DevOps consist of professionals working in teams of a cross-functional nature. Such teams consist of multi-disciplinary professionals ranging from business analysts, QA professionals, Operation Engineers, and Developers.

3. Handsome Salary

Rapid penetration of DevOps best practices in organizations and their implementation in the mentioned organizations is seeing massive hikes in the pay of DevOps professionals. This trend is seen to be consistent and sustainable according to industry experts the world over. DevOps professionals are the highest paid in the IT industry.

4. Increased Productivity & Effectiveness

Conventional IT workplaces see employees and staff being affected by downtime which can be attributed to waiting for other employees or staff and other software and software related issues. The main objective of an IT professional at the workplace would be to be productive for a larger part of the time he/she will spend at the workplace. This can be achieved by minimizing the time spent waiting for other employees or software products and eliminating the unproductive and unsatisfying part of the work process. This will boost the effectiveness of the work done and will add greatly to the value of the enterprise and the staff as well.

DevOps Salary details for the top 5 countries

• United States - In the United States, the average annual income for a DevOps Engineer is $111,600.
• United Kingdom: In the United Kingdom, the average annual income for a DevOps Engineer is £59,000.
• Germany - In Germany, the average annual income for a DevOps Engineer is €77,675.
• Canada - In Canada, the average annual income for a DevOps Engineer is $117,000.
• India - In India, the average annual income for a DevOps Engineer is ₹550,000.

Qualities of a DevOps Engineer 

Collated below are the characteristics/attributes of the DevOps Engineer.

• Experience in a wide range of open-source tools and techniques

• A Broad knowledge on Sysadmin and Ops roles

• Expertise in software coding, testing, and deployment

• Experiences on DevOps Automation tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef

• Experience in Continuous Integration, Delivery & Deployment

• Industry-wide experience in implementation of DevOps solutions for team collaborations.

• A firm knowledge of the various computer programming languages.

• Good awareness in Agile Methodology of Project Management.

• A Forward-thinker with an ability to connect the technical and business goals.

• Demand for people with DevOps skills is growing rapidly because businesses get great results from DevOps. Organizations using DevOps practices are overwhelmingly high functioning: They deploy code up to 30 times more frequently than their competitors, and 50 percent fewer of their deployments fail.

What exactly DevOps Engineer do?

DevOps is not a way to get developers doing operational tasks so that you can get rid of the operations team and vice versa.  Rather it is a way of working that encourages the Development and Operations teams to work together in a highly collaborative way towards the same goal. In nutshell, DevOps integrates developers and operations team to improve collaboration and productivity.

The main goal of DevOps is not only to increase the product’s quality to a greater extent but also to increase the collaboration of Dev and Ops team as well so that the workflow within the organization becomes smoother & efficient at the same time.

DevOps Engineer has end-to-end responsibility for the Application (Software) right from gathering the requirement to development, to testing, to infrastructure deployment, to application deployment and finally monitoring & gathering feedback from the end users, then again implementing the changes. These engineers spend more time researching new technologies that will improve efficiency and effectiveness. They Implement highly scalable applications and integrate infrastructure builds with application deployment processes.

 Let us spend some time in understanding the list of most important DevOps Engineers’ roles and responsibilities.

1. The first and foremost critical role of a DevOps Engineer is to be an effective communicator i.e., Soft Skills. A DevOps Engineer is required to be a bridge between the silos and bring different teams together to work towards a common goal. Hence, you can think of DevOps Engineers as “IT Project Managers”. They typically work on a DevOps team with other professionals in a similar role, each managing their own piece of the infrastructure puzzle.

2. The second critical role of DevOps Engineer is to be Expert Collaborators. This is because their role requires them to build upon the work of their counterparts on the development and IT teams to scale cloud programs, create workflow processes, assign tenants and more.

3. Thirdly, they can be rightly called “Mentors” as they spend most of the time in mentoring and educating software developers and architecture teams within an organization on how to create software that is easily scalable. They also collaborate with IT and security teams to ensure quality releases.

Next, they need to be a “customer-service oriented” individuals. The DevOps Engineer is a customer-service oriented, team player who can emerge from a number of different work and educational backgrounds, but through their experience has developed the right skillset to move into DevOps.

The DevOps Engineer is an important IT team member because they work with an internal customer. This includes QC personnel, software and application developers, project managers and project stakeholders usually from within the same organization. Even though they rarely work with external customers or end-users, but they keep close eye on a “customer first” mindset to satisfy the needs of their internal clients.

Not to miss out, DevOps engineer holds broad knowledge and experience with Infrastructure automation tools. A key element of DevOps is automation.  A lot of the manual tasks performed by the more traditional system administrator and engineering roles can be automated by using scripting languages like Python, Ruby, Bash, Shell, Node.js. This ensures a consistent performance of manual tasks by removing the human component and allowing teams to spend the saved time on more of the broader goals of the team and company.

Hence, a DevOps engineer must possess the ability to implement automation technologies and tools at any level, from requirements to development to testing and operations.

Few of other responsibilities of DevOps Engineer include -

• Manage and maintain infrastructure system.

• Maintaining and developing highly automated services landscape and open-source services.

• Take over the ownership for integral components of technology and make sure it grows aligned with company success.

• Scale systems and ensure the availability of services with developers on changes to the infrastructure required by new features and products.

Top DevOps Engineer Certification Exams

Below is the list of popular DevOps Engineer certification exams and certifications details -

DevOps Exam	Training Duration	Minimal Attempts	Exam Re-Take Information
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer	3 Months	No Minimal Requirement	Waiting Period: 14 days before they are eligible to retake the exam. No limit on exam attempts until the test taker has passed.
RHCA certification with a DevOps  concentration	3 Days for each training course	Red Hat Certificate of Expertise in Platform-as-a-Service Red Hat Certificate of Expertise in Atomic Host Container Administration Red Hat Certificate of Expertise in Containerized Application Development Red Hat Certificate of Expertise in Ansible Automation Red Hat Certificate of Expertise in Configuration Management	Waiting Period: 1 week
Docker Certification Associate Exam		No Minimal Attempts	Wait 14 days from the day you fail to take the exam again.
Certified Kubernetes Associate Exam	4-5 Weeks	No Minimal Attempts	Wait 14 days from the day you fail to take the exam again.
Chef Certification Exam	8 Hours	Know More	Minimal 1 week time

Conclusion

A DevOps engineer must have technical capabilities, an in-depth understanding of industry standards, and a personal dedication to building a culture of continuous development. Individuals can obtain these abilities through formal education in systems engineering or DevOps approaches, self-study, or both. Aspiring DevOps engineers can also obtain expertise in domains including system administration, software development, and IT operations. Finally, regardless of how one obtains the requisite knowledge, the key to becoming a good DevOps engineer is to learn and apply those abilities.