As businesses increasingly rely on technology to drive innovation and stay competitive, the demand for skilled DevOps engineers has never been higher. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a DevOps engineer, this road map will help you understand the steps you need to take.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a DevOps engineer in the United States is $134,489 per year. This is significantly higher than the average salary for all occupations, making it a lucrative career choice. The demand for DevOps engineers is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, with employment in computer and information technology occupations, including DevOps engineers, projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029.
What is a DevOps Engineer?
Before diving into the road map to becoming a DevOps engineer, it’s important to understand what exactly a DevOps engineer does. DevOps is a software development approach that combines software development and IT operations. It aims to shorten the systems development life cycle and provide continuous delivery with high software quality.
A DevOps engineer is a professional who is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams in a software development organization. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the infrastructure, tools, and processes that enable development and operations teams to work together efficiently.
DevOps engineers have a deep understanding of software development and IT operations, and they use this knowledge to ensure that software is delivered quickly, reliably, and at scale. They work closely with developers, quality assurance engineers, and IT professionals to automate and streamline the software development process.
The role of a DevOps engineer varies depending on the organization and the project, but some common responsibilities include:
- Designing and implementing automation pipelines for software development, testing, and deployment.
- Managing and monitoring infrastructure, including servers, networks, and databases.
- Writing scripts and code to automate tasks and processes.
- Troubleshooting issues and resolving incidents.
- Working with development teams to ensure that software is designed and developed with scalability, reliability, and maintainability in mind.
- Collaborating with operations teams to ensure that infrastructure and tools are designed and deployed with security, scalability, and reliability in mind.
- Managing cloud-based services and cloud computing platforms. Analyzing data and metrics to identify areas for optimization and improvement.
Why Become a DevOps Engineer?
- There are many reasons why becoming a DevOps engineer can be a rewarding career choice. Here are a few:
- High demand: As mentioned earlier, the demand for DevOps engineers is high and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. If you want to become a top DevOps engineer, now is a great time to start.
- High salaries: DevOps engineers are in high demand, and as a result, they command high salaries. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a DevOps engineer in the United States is $134,489 per year. If you want to become a top earner in the field, it’s important to continuously learn and stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices.
- Opportunity to work on exciting projects: DevOps engineers get to work on a wide range of projects, from building and maintaining infrastructure to automating the software development process. This means that no two days are the same, and you’ll always be working on something new and exciting.
- Opportunity to make a positive impact: As a DevOps engineer, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that software is delivered quickly and reliably. This means that you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the businesses and organizations that you work for.
Steps to Becoming a DevOps Engineer
Now that you have a better understanding of what a DevOps engineer does and why it can be a rewarding career choice, let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to become one.
- Gain a strong foundation in computer science and software development: To become a DevOps engineer, you’ll need to have a strong foundation in computer science and software development. This means that you should have a deep understanding of programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++. You should also have a good understanding of data structures, algorithms, and computer networks.
- Learn Linux: As a DevOps engineer, you’ll be working with Linux servers, so it’s important to have a good understanding of the operating system. This includes being able to navigate the command line, perform basic tasks, and troubleshoot issues. If you want to become a top system administrator, it’s important to have a strong understanding of Linux.
- Learn a configuration management tool: DevOps engineers use configuration management tools to automate the deployment and management of infrastructure and applications. Popular tools include Puppet, Chef, and Ansible. Choose one of these tools and become proficient in using it.
- Containerization Technologies: Containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes are used to package software and its dependencies into lightweight, portable containers, making it easy to deploy and manage applications across different environments.
- Cloud Computing Platforms: Cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform are used to host and manage applications and infrastructure.
- Monitoring and Logging Tools: Monitoring and logging tools like Nagios, Grafana, and ELK (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) are used to monitor and track the performance and health of infrastructure and applications.
- Programming languages: DevOps Engineers should have a solid understanding of programming languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, Perl, and Bash. These programming languages are commonly used for automation, scripting, and developing software applications. Understanding of programming concepts and principles such as object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms, and design patterns is also essential.
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a practice of managing and provisioning infrastructure through code. DevOps Engineers should be familiar with tools such as Ansible, Chef, and Puppet, which are used for automating infrastructure management tasks. Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is also important.
- Version Control: Version control is a practice of managing changes to code and other files over time. DevOps Engineers should be familiar with tools such as Git, SVN, and Mercurial, which are used for version control. Understanding of branching and merging strategies, code review practices, and pull requests is also important.
- Networking and Security: DevOps Engineers should have knowledge of networking and security concepts such as TCP/IP, SSL/TLS, VPNs, firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). Familiarity with security compliance frameworks such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR is also important.
- Collaboration and Communication: DevOps Engineers should be effective communicators and collaborators. They should have knowledge of collaboration tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, which are used for communication and project management. Understanding of agile methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban, and knowledge of project management tools such as Jira and Trello, is also important.
These are some of the most important programming languages and specific skills required for DevOps Engineers. However, the specific requirements may vary depending on the organization, the project, and the technology stack being used. It is important for DevOps Engineers to keep up-to-date with the latest trends, tools, and technologies in the DevOps ecosystem.
Certifications required to become a DevOps Engineer:
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA): This certification validates the knowledge and skills required to design, deploy, and manage Kubernetes clusters.
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional: This certification validates the knowledge and skills required to deploy and manage applications on AWS using DevOps principles and practices.
- Certified Jenkins Engineer (CJE): This certification validates the knowledge and skills required to design, implement, and manage Jenkins pipelines and other DevOps tools.
Here are some free resources to learn DevOps:
- YouTube: YouTube is a great source for learning DevOps concepts and practices. Many DevOps experts and organizations have their own YouTube channels where they share tutorials, demos, and talks on various DevOps topics. Some popular channels include DevOps Tutorial, Simplilearn DevOps Tutorial, and Learn DevOps.
- DevOps Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbvTJr0rC_pXA2zV1XEpEjg
- Simplilearn DevOps Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEiEAq2VkUUKgEFU3-6pNelhCCbGnvWqn
- Learn DevOps: https://www.youtube.com/c/LearnDevOps
- Udemy: Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a wide range of DevOps courses. While many of the courses are paid, Udemy also offers a selection of free courses. Some popular free courses include DevOps Fundamentals, Docker Mastery, and Jenkins CI/CD Pipeline.
- DevOps Fundamentals: https://www.udemy.com/course/devops-fundamentals/
- Docker Mastery: https://www.udemy.com/course/docker-mastery/
- Jenkins CI/CD Pipeline: https://www.udemy.com/course/jenkins-ci-cd-pipeline/
- Coursera: Coursera is another online learning platform that offers DevOps courses from top universities and organizations. While most of the courses on Coursera require payment, the platform offers a selection of free courses. Some popular free courses include Introduction to DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) Fundamentals.
- Introduction to DevOps: https://www.coursera.org/learn/devops-introduction
- Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) Fundamentals: https://www.coursera.org/learn/site-reliability-engineering-sre-fundamentals
- edX: edX is a non-profit online learning platform that offers DevOps courses from top universities and organizations. While many of the courses on edX are paid, the platform offers a selection of free courses. Some popular free courses include DevOps Fundamentals and Kubernetes Fundamentals.
- DevOps Fundamentals: https://www.edx.org/course/devops-fundamentals
- Kubernetes Fundamentals: https://www.edx.org/course/kubernetes-fundamentals
- DevOps Institute: The DevOps Institute is a non-profit organization that offers a wide range of DevOps certifications and training courses. While most of the courses require payment, the organization offers a selection of free resources such as webinars, whitepapers, and e-books.
- GitHub: GitHub is a platform for hosting and collaborating on software development projects. It is also a great resource for learning DevOps concepts and practices. Many DevOps experts and organizations share their code and configurations on GitHub, making it a great source for learning best practices and techniques.
- DevOps Roadmap: The DevOps Roadmap is a free resource that provides a comprehensive guide to learning DevOps. It includes a list of essential skills and concepts, as well as a curated list of free and paid resources for learning DevOps.
- DevOps Bootcamp: DevOps Bootcamp is a free online course that provides an introduction to DevOps concepts and practices. The course includes video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on exercises to help learners gain practical experience with DevOps tools and techniques.
- DevOps Bootcamp: https://www.devopslibrary.com/devops-bootcamp/
- DevOps University: DevOps University is a free online resource that provides a range of DevOps courses and tutorials. The platform covers topics such as Agile methodologies, cloud computing, and automation tools. It also includes hands-on labs and quizzes to help learners test their understanding of the material.
- Google Cloud Training: Google Cloud Training offers a wide range of free courses and tutorials on DevOps tools and technologies. Some popular free courses include Google Cloud Fundamentals for AWS Professionals and Kubernetes in Google Cloud.
- Google Cloud Fundamentals for AWS Professionals: https://www.coursera.org/learn/gcp-fundamentals-aws
- Kubernetes in Google Cloud: https://www.coursera.org/learn/kubernetes-engine
These are just a few of the many free resources available for learning DevOps. By taking advantage of these resources, aspiring DevOps engineers can gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field.
In conclusion, becoming a DevOps Engineer is an exciting and rewarding career path that requires a combination of technical and soft skills, as well as a commitment to continuous learning. With the right tools, resources, and certifications, anyone can enter the field of DevOps and contribute to the development and deployment of high-quality software products. One of the most important aspects of becoming a DevOps Engineer is learning the specific tools and technologies used in the field. Some of the most commonly used tools include configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef, as well as containerization platforms like Docker and Kubernetes. Other important tools and technologies include continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins, version control systems like Git, and cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. In addition to technical skills, it is also important for DevOps Engineers to possess strong communication and collaboration skills. Effective communication is crucial for facilitating collaboration between development and operations teams, as well as other stakeholders such as business analysts, project managers, and quality assurance professionals. DevOps Engineers must be able to clearly communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and work effectively in cross-functional teams.
To become a successful DevOps Engineer, continuous learning is also essential. Fortunately, there are many free resources available to help individuals learn about DevOps and develop their skills. These resources include online tutorials, courses, and certifications from platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and edX, as well as free tools and resources from organizations like the DevOps Institute and Google Cloud. Certifications can also play a key role in advancing a career in DevOps. Some of the most popular certifications include the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), the Amazon Web Services Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, and the Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions certification. These certifications can help demonstrate a candidate’s knowledge and expertise in specific tools and technologies, as well as their commitment to continuous learning and professional development. As demand for DevOps Engineers continues to grow, there are many companies that are hiring for these positions. Some of the top companies hiring for DevOps Engineers include Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and IBM, as well as smaller companies and startups in a variety of industries. Job descriptions for DevOps Engineers typically require experience with programming languages like Python, Java, and Ruby, as well as experience with system administration and deployment tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Jenkins.
In summary, becoming a DevOps Engineer requires a combination of technical skills, communication skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. With the right resources, tools, and certifications, anyone can enter the field of DevOps and contribute to the development and deployment of high-quality software products. Effective collaboration and communication between development and operations teams, as well as other stakeholders, is crucial for success in DevOps. With the growing demand for DevOps Engineers, there are many opportunities available for those looking to pursue a career in this exciting and dynamic field.