How to Become a DevOps Engineer – A Detailed Guide

In the dynamic field of software development and IT operations, the role of a DevOps Engineer has emerged as a crucial and sought-after position. To venture to become a DevOps Engineer is like stepping into a world where software development and IT operations work hand in hand for better, faster, and more reliable results. Imagine it as a roadmap, a guide that shows you the way through this exciting field. DevOps isn’t just about tools and techniques; it’s a way of thinking that brings people together to create top-notch software. 

In other words, we can say that understanding this “DevOps Roadmap: How to Become a DevOps Engineer” is like having a treasure map for your career. It tells you the important stops, skills, and principles you need to learn to succeed in DevOps. In a time where technology is always changing, having this roadmap is like having a trusty guide that helps you stay on track, learn the right skills, and be a valuable part of the software development world. It’s your key to making things work better, faster, and smoother in the world of IT!

What does the role of a DevOps Engineer entail?

A DevOps Engineer is an adaptable IT expert with extensive knowledge in both development and operations. They are skilled in coding, overseeing infrastructure, system administration, and using DevOps tools. Beyond technical abilities, these engineers exhibit strong interpersonal skills by collaborating across different parts of an organisation, promoting a more cohesive work environment.

They deeply understand common system architectures, provisioning, and administration. Furthermore, they are proficient in developer tools and practices, including using source control, conducting code reviews, creating unit tests, and embracing agile principles.

The prerequisites and qualifications for DevOps Engineers involve a combination of educational achievements, technical skills, industry certifications, and practical experience to ensure a well-rounded and capable professional in the dynamic field of DevOps.

Educational Qualifications

Undergraduates, such as obtaining a bachelor’s degree, mark the first university-level achievement post-Year 12. It delivers thorough skill development and career training over several years. Advanced skills are offered through postgraduate degrees, comprising graduate diplomas and master’s programs, serving to progress or transition careers. Typically, a pertinent bachelor’s degree is required for entry into postgraduate studies.

 

Vocational Education and Training Program

Vocational Education and Training (VET) program, encompassing certificates, diplomas, and advanced diplomas, provide individuals with specialised practical skills for the workplace.

 

Professional Certifications

Professional certifications empower individuals to acquire and demonstrate specific skills, potentially boosting employability, and gaining recognition within industries in Australia or globally. Certain certifications may have particular entry prerequisites.

 

What’s the timeframe to become a DevOps Engineer?

Becoming a DevOps engineer typically takes around six months, assuming you possess basic Linux admin and networking skills and follow the DevOps engineer learning path provided below. However, this career doesn’t happen overnight and varies based on factors like mindset, existing skill level, and career position.

Despite this, abundant free tools and resources are available to assist you on your journey. Some professional DevOps engineering sites even provide free or significantly discounted exams to support your growth and validate your expertise. 

Guiding Path to DevOps Excellence: Becoming a DevOps Engineer

To become a DevOps engineer, one needs a passion for coding, problem-solving skills in development, a bachelor’s degree, and practical experience.

1. Programming Proficiency

• Importance of Coding Skills: Developing coding proficiency is fundamental for a DevOps engineer. It serves as the backbone for understanding and implementing various DevOps processes.

• Online Courses and Boot Camps: Numerous online coding courses and boot camps provide tailored programming programs, offering a structured approach to learning languages such as HTML, CSS, C++, Python, and JavaScript.

• Starting with Fundamental Languages: The journey begins with mastering fundamental languages, laying the groundwork for more complex coding tasks in the DevOps domain.

2. Operating Systems Mastery

• Familiarity with Major Operating Systems: A DevOps engineer must have a comprehensive understanding of major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

• Understanding Hardware Functions: Mastery extends to understanding hardware functions, memory and storage management, security protocols, file and network management, as well as command interpreter systems and I/O device management.

• Knowledge Application: This knowledge ensures the effective application of DevOps practices within different operating environments.

3. Bachelor’s Degree Attainment

• Balancing Skills and Education: While skills are crucial, obtaining a relevant bachelor’s degree in computer science, software design, engineering, information technology, or related fields provides a well-rounded educational foundation.

• Recommended Degrees: Pursuing degrees aligned with the industry, such as computer science, software design, engineering, information technology, or programming, enhances the engineer’s knowledge base and employability.

4. Certification Achievement

• Significance of Certifications: Certifications are vital in showcasing specific skills to potential employers. Recognised certifications like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer—Professional validate the engineer’s expertise.

• Availability of Free DevOps Courses: Platforms like LinkedIn and Microsoft offer free DevOps courses, providing accessible opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement.

5. Practical Experience Gain

• Importance of Hands-on Experience: Beyond theoretical knowledge, hands-on experience is crucial. Collaborating with developers, automating processes, securing internships, and utilising platforms like GitHub foster practical skills.

• Showcasing Coding Projects: Actively participating in coding projects and showcasing them on platforms like GitHub becomes a tangible representation of the engineer’s skills and accomplishments.

6. Application for DevOps Engineer Roles

• Leveraging a Strong Portfolio: With a degree, certifications, and practical experience, applying for DevOps engineer positions requires compiling a strong portfolio. Highlighting technical skills, certifications, and degrees enhances the engineer’s candidacy.

• Networking and Transitioning: Networking within the industry and expressing interest in transitioning into DevOps positions can open doors for career opportunities and mentorship.

Hence, the roadmap for DevOps engineers underscores the importance of dedication to continuous learning, practical skill application, and active networking. This multifaceted approach ensures a well-rounded and successful career in DevOps engineering.

Job Functions and Responsibilities of a DevOps Engineer

A DevOps engineer collaborates closely with both operations and development teams to design and oversee software systems. This entails working in tandem with QA professionals, software developers, and other IT staff. Their responsibilities encompass a range of crucial tasks, including documenting server-side functionalities, developing, installing, testing, configuring, and maintaining IT solutions. Additionally, they contribute to the growth of existing technologies by creating processes and expansion plans. 

Effective communication of operational requirements and development forecasts with the entire team is vital to their role. Furthermore, DevOps engineers play a pivotal role in deploying updates seamlessly into the production environment using configuration management software. They are also responsible for routine application maintenance, troubleshooting to ensure flawless production operations, and proactively identifying opportunities for performance enhancement and recommending necessary modifications.

Typical Tools Employed by DevOps Engineers

Various tools and technologies commonly used in the field of DevOps and cloud computing are: 

• Git: Version control system for tracking source code changes, enabling developers to collaborate.

• Python: Programming language extensively used for scripting, automation, and building diverse applications in the DevOps domain.

• Jira: Project management tool facilitating agile development, issue tracking, and seamless collaboration among team members.

• Jenkins: Automation server for building, testing, and deploying code, ensuring continuous integration and delivery in the development process.

• Ansible: Configuration management tool automating the setup and management of infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and consistency.

• Docker: Containerization platform enabling the creation and deployment of lightweight, portable applications in isolated environments.

• Kubernetes: Container orchestration system for automating containerised application deployment, scaling, and management.

• Terraform: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool, allowing the provisioning and management of infrastructure resources in a declarative manner.

• Prometheus: Monitoring and alerting toolkit, tracking metrics and ensuring the health and performance of systems in real-time.

• Kibana: The visualisation tool works with Elasticsearch, providing insights and visual representations of log and time-series data.

       And more!

DevOps Engineer Career Options 

• Release Manager: Plans, designs, and orchestrates software development, guiding the DevOps team to ensure timely software delivery.

• Security Engineer: Ensures ongoing software builds are secure, playing a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and safety of the development process.

• Automation Engineer: Develops and maintains Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) processes, utilising tools like Jenkins, Git, Mavens, Gradel, and Git for efficient application deployment.

• DevOps Test Engineer: Focuses on ensuring software efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness throughout the development and deployment phases.

• Site Reliability Engineer: Integrates software engineering principles to address challenges in both infrastructure and operations, ensuring system reliability and performance.

• Software Tester: Brings expertise in software testing to accelerate the development and testing of new software, contributing to product quality.

• DevOps Lead: Takes a leadership role in guiding and coordinating DevOps teams, ensuring effective collaboration and the successful implementation of DevOps practices.

• DevOps Software Developer: Engages in software development within a DevOps context, integrating development and operations to streamline the software delivery process.

• DevOps System Engineer: Specializes in the engineering aspects of systems within a DevOps framework, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.

• DevOps Security Professional: Focuses on securing DevOps processes, implementing security measures, and safeguarding software throughout its lifecycle.

Let’s Wind Up

Becoming a DevOps Engineer involves mastering coding, obtaining relevant certifications, gaining practical experience, and embracing continuous learning. With versatile roles like release manager and automation engineer, it’s a transformative journey for those passionate about shaping the future of software development and operations.

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