What Is Cloud Engineering? (With Skills And Careers)

Updated 10 March 2023

Cloud engineering involves the use of cloud resources and techniques to provide optimal solutions to various business needs. Professionals skilled in this field can work in a variety of positions, such as cloud systems engineer, cloud network engineer or cloud architect. Having an in-depth understanding of this field and its various career opportunities can help you decide if it is an ideal career path for you. In this article, we discuss what cloud engineering is, list the roles of cloud engineers, find out the essential skills required and list various career opportunities available.

What Is Cloud Engineering?

Finding the answer to "What is cloud engineering?" can help you streamline and scale business operations on the cloud. A career in cloud engineering involves the design, development and maintenance of cloud-based systems to fulfil various business needs. Professionals in this field use cloud computing to deliver computing services such as storage, infrastructure, networking, artificial intelligence and security, over the Internet to provide scalability, flexibility and increased collaboration for businesses. The various advantages of using a cloud include:

Using cloud computing, people can access data from anywhere in the world.
The cloud facilitates collaboration by allowing users to quickly and easily share information.
Compared to traditional techniques, companies can reduce their hardware and maintenance costs by taking advantage of cloud computing
A cloud service vendor regularly updates its software to provide secure storage of an organisation's data
Companies that switch to cloud computing can pay for the services as they use them

Duties Of A Cloud Engineer

Cloud engineers can assume a variety of roles, depending on their area of expertise, such as security, networks, databases or development. Some of their common duties include:

Evaluating and identifying optimal cloud solutions in collaboration with engineering and development teams
Educating teams about implementing new technologies and initiatives related to cloud computing
Designing, developing and deploying cloud-based applications
Achieving best practices in cloud development and maintenance
Ensuring compliance with company security policies and best practices for cloud security to provide efficient data storage and processing
Identifying vulnerabilities in cloud computing and making fixes
Providing cloud support to clients and make recommendations based on their needs

Cloud Engineer Skills

Cloud engineer skills are a combination of hard skills and soft skills that professionals use on the job or to advance in their careers. A cloud engineer may specialise in a variety of areas such as databases, security, networks, data integration and analysis and machine learning as part of their four-year degree programme such as Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) or Bachelor of Engineering (B.E). Graduates in this field can also take additional certification courses to improve their skills. Here are some examples of skills that cloud engineers require:

Hard skills

Here are some examples of hard skills that cloud engineers use on the job:

Programming

Most cloud engineers need coding skills as one of their primary hard skills. Depending on the requirements, employers may require professionals to know several coding languages. Here is a list of key coding skills necessary:

Python
C++
Java
PHP
SQL
.NET
UX Design

Knowledge of cloud providers

It is beneficial for cloud engineers to have a good understanding of the various cloud vendors and the services they provide. It is also necessary to understand the pricing models and the subscription plans that they offer. This helps professionals provide recommendations to clients planning on transitioning to the cloud. Some examples include the pay-as-you-go model and the pay-per-user model.

Computer networks

Knowledge of computer networks can assist cloud engineers in configuring, optimising, securing and maintaining cloud networks. Essential skills include:

IP setup
Cloud services
Network management
Server management
Cyber security
Cloud systems administration

Cloud computing

Cloud computing is becoming increasingly important as companies transition from on-premise to cloud solutions. Software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) are some common cloud computing services. Examples of cloud computing skills include:

Cloud database management
Cloud deployment
Cloud security
Data migration
Machine learning and artificial intelligence
Cost and workload estimation

Virtualisation

Virtualisation refers to the creation of a virtual version of a server, operating system or a storage device. Cloud computing uses the concept of virtualisation to separate a service from the physical delivery of that service. This allows multiple organisations or users to share a single physical instance of a resource. This reduces hardware usage, costs and energy consumption. As a cloud engineer, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of virtualisation.

Soft skills

Here are some examples of soft skills that cloud engineers use on the job:

Communication skills

Cloud engineers present data and findings to non-technical audiences. Having excellent communication skills enables you to deliver this information so that your clients can make informed decisions. As part of large projects, you may work with professionals from other domains to design and develop various cloud-based solutions. Communication skills help you build trust among colleagues, improve teamwork and foster a positive work environment.

Time management

Cloud engineers may work on multiple projects simultaneously. Some of their duties include designing, developing, deploying and maintaining multiple cloud-based applications. Organising their work well and completing tasks on time is easier when they have an effective time management strategy. They can effectively manage their time by setting priorities, creating to-do lists and delegating tasks.

Problem solving skills

The ability to solve problems and create logical solutions is important for cloud engineers, as this skill often helps them complete complex projects and accomplish business goals. The steps in problem solving include having a clear understanding of the requirements, conducting feasibility analysis, designing and developing algorithms to solve the problem, performing quality assurance and deploying the solution on the cloud for external use. This ensures that cloud-based solution meets the clients' needs and functions as intended.

5 Career Opportunities For Cloud Engineers

Here is a list of relevant careers along with their national average salaries and primary duties:

1. Cloud Security Engineer

National average salary: ₹8,51,727 per year

Primary duties: Cloud software engineers ensure that an organisation's cloud infrastructure is secure. They identify cloud threats and vulnerabilities and design, develop and maintain cloud networks and cloud-based systems. These professionals provide guidance on best practices that an organisation can adopt to improve its cloud security. They may also collaborate with other professionals such as data scientists, analysts and data engineers to strengthen the cloud cyber security.

2. Cloud Systems Engineer

National average salary: ₹8,65,258 per year

Primary duties: Cloud systems engineers deploy and support cloud solutions in customers' data centres. Their collaboration with the architecture, operations, sales, marketing and executive leadership team allows them to deliver effective solutions, services and customer support. They ensure that the cloud solutions that they offer meets the clients' needs.

3. Cloud Software Engineer

National average salary: ₹8,97,981 per year

Primary duties: Cloud software engineers are responsible for designing, developing, deploying and maintaining cloud-based applications. They continually review existing systems and make improvements where necessary. These professionals maintain cloud environments according to the security guidelines of the company. They also educate teams on various cloud services and discuss the best practices for cloud adoption.

4. Cloud Network Engineer

National average salary: ₹9,13,499 per year

Primary duties: Cloud network engineers handle migration of functions and components between various cloud infrastructures such as private, public or hybrid. They manage the flow and sharing of information within an organisation. They also propose strategies to scale cloud services to meet a business's growing needs, troubleshoot issues within cloud networks and implement security strategies for cloud networks.

5. Cloud Architect

National average salary: ₹15,28,794 per year

Primary duties: Cloud architects design an organisation's cloud computing architecture. They create and manage cloud-based systems. These professionals analyse cloud architecture options for the firm to meet its strategic objectives. They also have extensive knowledge of the organisation's cloud infrastructure and can help IT security by monitoring cloud activity and resolving issues.

Salary figures reflect data listed on the quoted websites at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate’s experience, academic background and location.

What Is Cloud Engineering? (With Skills And Careers)