DevOps engineering is one of the most common and in-demand IT jobs today. It is the integration of improvement of the IT operation and software solution development to perform the tasks faster and more efficiently. It helps teams work better together and produce software quickly and reliably. DevOps is an excellent opportunity for learning and growth, whether you’re new to IT or not. This guide will tell you what skills you need, which certifications you should take, and how to gain hands-on experience to build your career serving in a DevOps role.
Understanding DevOps
DevOps means delivering IT and software development teams as a team. The objective is to speed up software delivery and improve reliability and ease of management. It’s focused on teamwork, automating processes, and using continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) to improve software creation and update.
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DevOps Engineering
A DevOps Engineer is a software engineer with IT operations who bridges development and operations. They can help the software development lifecycle by targeting automation and workflow streamlining. DevOps engineers in India are the most important component of faster and easier delivery of high-quality software in IT services, banking, healthcare, and e-commerce.
Their responsibilities typically include:
- Building and Managing CI/CD Pipelines: Seamlessly integrating and deploying code.
- Infrastructure Management: Server provisioning and configurations automation using Ansible and Terraform.
- Monitoring and Troubleshooting: Address system issues using Proposer, Nagios, and Prometheus tools.
- Cloud Computing Expertise: Acting as an On Demand Assistant to manage your AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure applications.
- Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with developers, testers, and operations teams to complete your job.
If you are interested in the Indian job market, companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and big startups invest heavily in DevOps practices. This attracts companies and makes it one of the top searched-for profiles by IT Professionals.
DevOps Engineer Prerequisites and Qualifications
A blend of educational qualifications and technical expertise, along with a good number of certifications, is what you need to become a DevOps engineer in India. Here’s a breakdown of what is typically required:
Educational Qualifications
- Degree: Preferably one with a bachelor’s in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. But sometimes education is not enough, and the skills and certifications count.
- Alternative Education: It can be transitioned into DevOps roles if you take some relevant online courses or bootcamps by people from non-technical backgrounds.
Technical Prerequisites
- Linux Fundamentals: The first crucial point is that Linux is a core component of DevOps and supports most DevOps environments.
- Programming Knowledge: Writing scripts and managing infrastructure in Python, Java, or Go.
- Cloud Platforms: However, since cloud computing has become so widespread in India, you must be familiar with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Version Control Systems: Git and repos such as GitHub or GitLab competence to manage codes.
- Automation Tools: Experience building up workflows using Jenkins, Ansible, or Terraform.
Soft Skills
- Team Collaboration: Ability to work efficiently with cross-functional teams.
- Problem-Solving: Workflows that need identifying and resolving bottlenecks.
- Adaptability: Gaining quick knowledge of new tools and technologies per project objectives.
The DevOps Roadmap
Becoming a DevOps engineer involves mastering a blend of technical and non-technical skills. Follow this structured roadmap to achieve success:
1. Master the Basics: Linux and Networking
Linux is the foundation of most DevOps operations, providing a flexible, open-source environment for tools and services. Key areas include:
- Advanced Linux Skills: Create custom Linux images for virtual machines and containers.
- Networking Fundamentals: Grasp critical concepts such as DNS, firewalls, subnetting, and static IP configuration.
- Getting Started: Platforms like Udemy offer free Linux courses, while Coursera provides networking-specific training modules.
2. Develop Strong Programming and Scripting Skills
Programming is vital for writing automation scripts and managing infrastructure as code. Focus on:
- Languages to Learn: Python, Ruby, Java, or Go are commonly used in DevOps tasks.
- Shell Scripting: Master Bash for Linux environments and PowerShell for Windows-based tasks.
- Resources: Explore beginner tutorials on LearnPython.org and popular books like Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches.
3. Get Familiar with Version Control Systems
Version control allows teams to collaborate efficiently and manage changes to code. Key tools include:
- Git: The industry-standard version control system.
- Platforms: GitHub and GitLab for cloud-based collaboration.
- Why It’s Important: Version control systems streamline the development process, making collaboration easier and reducing errors.
4. Dive into Cloud Computing
Cloud platforms are integral to modern DevOps practices. Develop expertise in:
- Major Providers: AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
- Cloud-Native Tools: Kubernetes for container orchestration and AWS Lambda for serverless computing.
- Learning Resources: AWS certifications, Google Cloud training, and Azure’s learning paths are excellent starting points.
5. Automate Everything: CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code
Automation is the backbone of DevOps, and mastering tools for CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure automation is essential.
- CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, CircleCI, and GitLab CI/CD streamline deployment pipelines.
- Infrastructure Automation: Tools like Terraform, Ansible, and Chef simplify managing cloud resources and configurations.
6. Learn Containerisation and Orchestration
Containerization enables applications to run consistently across different environments. Start with:
- Docker: Learn to build and manage containers.
- Kubernetes: Advance to orchestrating containers at scale, including deploying multiple instances for reliability.
7. Focus on Monitoring and Observability
Monitoring tools ensure your systems are running efficiently and help identify issues proactively. Popular tools include:
- ELK Stack: Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana for logging and visualization.
- Prometheus: Provides metrics for application performance.
- Why It Matters: Proactive monitoring reduces downtime and enhances user satisfaction.
Building Practical Experience in DevOps
Practical knowledge sets great DevOps engineers apart. Here’s how to gain hands-on experience:
- Personal Projects: Set up a CI/CD pipeline for a dummy application.
- Open-Source Contributions: You can contribute to an open-source project by working on real-world problems.
- Internships: Join internships around industry practices on DevOps roles to get insights.
- Sandbox Environments: If you want to experiment on AWS or Azure without costs, invest in used or spare hardware that you can keep on AWS or Azure using their free tier or free account.
Becoming a DevOps Engineer
How to become a devops engineer without experience?
- Take online immersive boot camps.
- Do coding challenges and hackathons and show your potential.
- Connect to professionals by using LinkedIn and GitHub.
How to become a devops engineer without a degree?
- Produce an excellent portfolio with your skills.
- The show highlighted certifications for technical expertise.
- Get in touch with people to mentor and guide you toward the path you seek.
Skills Required for DevOps Engineering
To excel as a DevOps engineer, mastering key skills is crucial:
- Programming and Scripting: Understanding Python, Java, or Ruby to automate things.
- Version Control: Good working knowledge of tools like Git for code change management.
- Cloud Computing: Experience with Google Cloud and/or Azure platforms or AWS.
- CI/CD Pipelines: Familiarity with Jenkins and GitLab CI/CD tool.
- Containerization and Orchestration: Some experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
DevOps Salary Insights
The salary for DevOps engineers in India is highly attractive, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in the IT sector. Salaries vary based on experience, skill set, and location.
Entry-Level Roles
- DevOps Intern: Gain foundational experience in CI/CD and cloud tools.
- Junior System Administrator: Works on Linux and networking skills.
- Salary Range: ₹4,50,000 – ₹8,00,000 per year
Freshers can start with a foundational knowledge of tools like Docker and Jenkins and build expertise over time.
Mid-Level Roles
- DevOps Engineer: Manage automation pipelines and cloud infrastructure.
- Cloud Engineer: Focus on scalable and reliable cloud solutions.
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE): Balance reliability with development velocity.
- Salary Range: ₹8,00,000 – ₹16,00,000 per year
Mid-level professionals often manage CI/CD pipelines, cloud infrastructure, and automation frameworks.
Senior-Level Roles
- Senior DevOps Engineer: Oversee complex automation frameworks.
- DevOps Architect: Design large-scale, efficient DevOps systems.
- Head of DevOps: Lead strategic initiatives for enterprise-level transformations.
- Salary Range: ₹16,00,000 – ₹35,00,000 per year
Senior roles demand expertise in designing large-scale systems and leading teams to implement DevOps best practices.
Location-Based Salary Insights
- Bangalore: ₹8,00,000 – ₹22,00,000 (India’s Silicon Valley offers the highest salaries).
- Pune and Hyderabad: ₹7,50,000 – ₹20,00,000 (Popular IT hubs with growing opportunities).
- Mumbai and Delhi-NCR: ₹6,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 (Diverse industries hiring for DevOps roles).
Factors Influencing Salary
- Certifications: Certifications like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or CKA significantly boost earning potential.
- Industry: E-commerce, BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), and healthcare IT tend to offer higher packages.
- Experience in Tools: Proficiency in Kubernetes, Terraform, and advanced cloud skills can command premium salaries.
A DevOps engineer’s toolkit is vast and varied. Some essential tools include:
- Version Control: Git and platforms like GitHub or GitLab.
- Automation Tools: Jenkins, CircleCI, Terraform, and Ansible for infrastructure as code.
- Monitoring Tools: Prometheus and ELK Stack for performance tracking and diagnostics.
- Cloud Services: AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
- Containerization: Docker is used for building containers, and Kubernetes is used for orchestration.
- Staying updated with the latest tools is key to maintaining competitiveness in the field.
Tips for Creating a Perfect DevOps Resume
Your resume is your chance to shine, as it’s your chance to show them what you have to offer and land the interviews. Here’s how to craft an impressive DevOps resume:
- Highlight Relevant Certifications: Key Things like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or CKA.
- Emphasize Hands-On Experience: It includes personal projects, open source contributions, and internships.
- Showcase Technical Skills: List your experience with CI/CD tools, scripting languages, etc.
- Tailor for Each Role: This is to customize your resume to suit the position you’ve applied for.
- Quantify Achievements: You can show impact with numbers, such as ‘Automated pipelines saved 30% of the effort needed to deploy’.
Conclusion
The career path of devOps engineering is exciting and rewarding if you are a problem solver, process streamliner, and bridge builder between development and operations. You can be valuable to this dynamic field if you own the correct essential tools, follow industry best practices, and obtain industry-recognized certifications. DevOps is beautiful because it’s flexible, and you can grow and shine at any IT career level.
Learning DevOps is the key to success and building a career in it. With the right mindset, attitude, dedication, and continuous learning, you can become an important part of shaping how modern software systems are created, deployed, and maintained. Because of the great demand, this is a good chance for anyone who wants to create long-lasting operations in the tech sector, and the opportunities are vast. Get on with the Certificate Program in DevOps & Cloud Engineering With Microsoft by Hero Vired to gain more perspective on Devops and how to pursue it with professionals and gain certification.
FAQs
You will learn Linux and networking fundamentals, which are
fundamental to DevOps. So, decide on a language like Python and start practicing with version control tools like Git. Learn Docker and use Containerise and Kubernetes for the orchestration. You can gain practical skills through courses online or personal projects.
Yes, you can. Beginner-friendly DevOps courses or a boot camp will expose you to Jenkins, Terraform, and cloud platforms. Contribute to open source projects, build hands-on experience, and set up pipelines. You can also increase your chances if you network and show what you can do with a portfolio.
Many DevOps engineers get certified and prove they deserve their jobs well. But your skills are shown with certifications, practical knowledge, and a powerful portfolio. The next step is to use your time learning cloud computing, CI/CD & automation tools to become industry-ready.
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Google Professional DevOps Engineer, or Certified Kubernetes Administrator(CKA) is much appreciated. They validate your skill in automation, cloud platforms, and container orchestration, allowing you to stand out from any employer.
Updated on January 22, 2025
