What does a Cloud Engineer do?
Cloud engineers specialize in the creation, testing, and implementation of software applications at a company or an organization. They are the technical professionals responsible for the planning, design, management, maintenance, and support of cloud computing applications. They determine their client’s technological needs and suggest solutions that meet them. They enhance the delivery of cloud deployments and collaborate with development teams and other personnel to streamline application services.
Cloud engineers evaluate older applications and determine their viability to be migrated or transferred to cloud services. They design, implement, and manage cloud-based systems for businesses and when appropriate, they help debug cloud stacks. They collaborate with engineering and development teams to evaluate and identify optimal solutions and to educate teams on the implementation of new cloud technologies and initiatives. Cloud engineers need a bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science and fluency with programming languages including Java or C++.
- Repair and recover from hardware, software and process failures.
- Provide backup and recovery support and guidance for cloud resources.
- The person in owns the design, execution, rollout and evangelism of the cloud operating model.
- Additionally, lead in defining standards on tools supporting pipelines with a Security first mindset.
- Coach other engineers in best practices and encourage experimentation.
- Ensure the quality of architecture and design of systems.
- Plan and coordinate reviews and approval of technical deliverables.
- Build and execute unit tests and unit test plans.
- Produce data-based reports on technology risk for senior management.
- Develop infrastructure documentation, technology mappings in compliance with SOPs.
- Monitor progress by maintain, dialogue on work and results.
- Develop installation and monitoring tools for support and operations.
- Work closely with developer teams to create an automated CI/CD pipeline.
- Conduct assessments, build blueprints and roadmaps, build proofs of concept, and write technical points of view.
- Perform audit checks for security, process and resource compliance.
- Continuously improve patterns, practices, and operational efficiency within the team.
- Contribute to training and customer support activities as needed.
- Communicate fluently with business stakeholders, product managers, researchers, and developers.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in computer engineering, computer science, engineering or information systems or equivalent experience.
- Fluent in Python and a variety of programming languages, software, and systems.
- Strong computing and scripting skills.
- Comfortable with Agile practices.
- Able to work in an environment using cloud systems.
- Familiar with SaaS processes and products.
How much does a Cloud Engineer make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$151,822
/ yrCloud Engineer Career Path
Learn how to become a Cloud Engineer, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Cloud Engineer Insights
Pyramid Consulting“Though I was in trouble pyramid was attentive and took an action and helping me to resolve in 24 hours.”
delaware“This can be a great way to advance your career and achieve your professional goals.”
Searce“You get to work with CxOs as a cloud consultant and that gives you great confidence and develops your skills.”
GetSmarter“I joined quite early on and there were lots of opportunities to learn and progress in my career.”
Alvaria“There is significant room for career growth and each employee is able to contribute to our transformation.”
Infor“One thing from my end it was not learning as much as i wanted but the team is great”
Devo“Sales does a great job winning new business but the engineering teams cannot keep up.”
Aerodyne industries“Aerodyne is a great business with talented people working on some of the world’s toughest engineering problems.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of cloud engineers
A cloud engineer spends their day in various stages of cloud computing. They may be tasked with migrating the company's network to the cloud, which includes negotiating with cloud vendors. Once established, working as a cloud engineer includes testing, maintenance, upgrades, and cloud system security.
Yes, many companies need cloud engineers as they move away from on-site data storage to cloud-based systems. Cloud engineers develop and maintain the company's system. Becoming a cloud engineer is a way for an IT professional to focus their career advancement. These specialized skills are highly valuable.
Yes, it's a job that pays well. Cloud engineers make an average salary of $151,822 in the United States. Successful cloud engineers can earn up to $251,651 per year. Compensation is dependent on specific expertise and experience.
Cloud engineers may find it challenging to shift their focus from more traditional systems administration to cloud-based solutions. They may need to learn additional programming languages and become familiar with a different set of rules in the cloud environment.