Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers are masters of cloud service providers that companies such as Amazon (Amazon Web Services) and Microsoft (Azure) have released for use by contracted companies.

Summary

The cloud is the center of computing in modern day as we know it. It has never been easier for individuals and companies to utilize tools made available by major companies for all of their computing needs, known as the "cloud"; A network of remote servers that store and manage data and applications rather than keeping them on your local device. However, this monumental feat of the internet is maintained and best utilized by masters of the cloud, known as Cloud Engineers. These individuals know how to utilize the cloud for business needs, or even work on the cloud itself.

The cloud is highly complex to navigate, leading to the need of individuals who are familiar with its navigation. Individuals with both IT and Computer Science backgrounds are assets to cloud navigation for their unique skills brought to the challenge. Here are some of the needs of navigating the cloud as a Cloud Engineer:

Cloud Architecture: Meet an organization's needs through designing and planning an architecture of cloud solutions that can scale over time, will be reliable, and are highly secure.

Automation: The use of writing scripts or readily available automation tools to perform and streamline repetitive tasks, leading to the efficient and consistent management of cloud data and resources.

Monitoring, Optimization: Already deployed cloud infrastructures need continued management to ensure they are running as planned, especially in concern to properly and efficiently using cloud resources.

Educational Requirements

Cloud Engineering may seem complicated, but it does not have to be. The foundation is best laid out through a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Computer Engineering, or another technology related field. Strong foundations in principles in computer sciences will go a long way.

Relevant coursework is a great way to transition from the classroom to practical work using various cloud platforms. Areas covered in course work may include databases, networking, operating systems, and software development.

Certifications may give a competitive edge in the job hunt, and are a good way to demonstrate expertise in cloud technologies. Certifications are available from major cloud services, such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

Salary Information 2023

According to salary.com, the average salary of a Cloud Engineer in 2023 was $135,677.

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Information retrieved from SANS Institute, salary.com