How to become a DevOps engineer? Complete Guide

Rapid expansion and increasing importance have made DevOps engineering a hot topic in software engineering. The job of a DevOps engineer is to create and maintain the infrastructure and procedures that speed up and smooth out the software development, testing, and release processes. This facilitates the company’s ability to provide clients with cutting-edge software products promptly.

To be a successful DevOps engineer, you should have a solid system administration and software development background.

You’ll need to be familiar with various tools and technologies, continually learn about new ideas and best practices, and adapt to them.

Everything about DevOps

Collaboration and communication between IT operations specialists and software developers are the foundation of DevOps engineering, which strives to automate and streamline software delivery.

It utilizes technologies and techniques to enable regular and automated software deployments, such as continuous integration, continuous delivery, and infrastructure as code.

DevOps engineers link IT operations and software development, ensuring infrastructure and processes are in place to facilitate efficient and timely software releases.

To accomplish this, you should collaborate closely with other members of the IT industry, such as system administrators, QA engineers, and programmers. DevOps engineers need to know the ins and outs of software development and IT operations to create efficient systems and procedures.

What does a DevOps engineer need to know?

Learning, doing, and being certified are all necessary stepping stones to becoming a DevOps engineer.

To become a DevOps engineer, you must have a strong foundation in software development and system administration. It includes:

• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, Java, and Ruby.
• Knowledge of source code management tools like Git and their associated workflows.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and the command line.
• Experience with automation tools like Ansible and Puppet.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• The willingness to constantly learn new things and adjust to best practices.

Additional Skills

Although the abilities mentioned earlier are essential for a DevOps engineer, there are a few others that can be useful:

• Sound knowledge of AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, among others.
• Knowledge of containers and container orchestration tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with infrastructure as code concepts and tools like Terraform.
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools like Prometheus and ELK.
• Knowledge of agile development methods and frameworks like Scrum and Kanban.

These skills can help you better design and implement effective DevOps processes and systems, making you a more valuable asset to organizations. You can develop these skills through education, training, and hands-on experience, so they don’t necessarily have to be acquired upfront.

DevOps engineers need technical expertise and the ability to communicate and work well with others. It is because they often work closely with teams of software developers, QA engineers, and other IT professionals to ensure that software is delivered quickly and efficiently.

The Journey to DevOps Engineer Role

You may take a few essential steps to become a DevOps engineer:

1. Education and training: One of the best methods to acquire the skills and information necessary for a career in DevOps engineering is to earn a bachelor’s degree in the field of computer science or a closely related field. This will give you exposure to many programming languages and tools and a strong foundation in software development, algorithms, and data structures. In addition to formal education, you can also gain experience and knowledge through online courses, workshops, and other training programs.
2. Gaining experience: As you develop your skills and knowledge, gaining hands-on experience working on real-world projects is essential. This can include internships, part-time jobs, or even working on personal projects. By gaining experience, you will learn how to apply your skills in a practical setting and gain exposure to the challenges and opportunities of a career in DevOps engineering.
3. Obtaining certification: In addition to education and experience, obtaining a certification in DevOps can be beneficial. Several certifications, such as the Certified DevOps Engineer (CDE) or the Certified Cloud DevOps Engineer (CCDE), can demonstrate your expertise and skills to potential employers.

DevOps Engineer Duties & Responsibilities

The specific roles and responsibilities of a DevOps engineer will vary by company and project but typically include the following:

• Collaborating with software development teams to design and implement systems and processes for building, testing, and deploying software
• Automating and streamlining software release processes using tools such as continuous integration and continuous delivery
• Monitoring and maintaining production systems to ensure they are stable and performant
• Troubleshooting and resolving issues with software deployments and production systems
• Developing and keeping up with system and process documentation.
• Mentoring and training other team members on DevOps best practices and tools.

Benefits and challenges of a career in DevOps engineering

There are several upsides to working as a DevOps engineer, including getting your hands dirty with cutting-edge tools and methods and expanding your knowledge base. DevOps engineers are in high demand, and as a result, they often receive generous compensation packages.

The benefits of a career in DevOps engineering include the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and processes and the ability to learn and grow as a professional continuously. DevOps engineers are highly demanding and can often command competitive salaries and benefits.

The field of DevOps engineering, like any other, is not without its difficulties. Many software deployments need DevOps workers to work long hours or be on call, creating a potentially stressful work environment. Also, DevOps engineers need to be open to learning and improvement on the job.

Tips for succeeding as a DevOps engineer

If you want to succeed as a DevOps engineer, there are some guidelines you can follow:

1. Continuously learn and stay up-to-date on the latest tools and best practices in DevOps engineering. It will help you remain competitive and ensure that you are using the most effective methods and technologies.
2. Develop strong communication and collaboration skills. DevOps engineers often work closely with teams of software developers, QA engineers, and other IT professionals, so communicating effectively and collaborating is essential.
3. Be prepared to solve problems and take on new tasks. Being open to new challenges and coming up with original solutions to issues is crucial in the fast-paced and demanding field of DevOps engineering.
4. Build a strong network and seek out mentors. Connecting with other DevOps professionals and seeking out mentors can provide valuable guidance and support as you progress in your career.
5. Think about getting your DevOps credentials verified. Although not necessary, becoming DevOps certified is a great way to show potential employers you have the knowledge and skills they’re looking for.

Conclusion 

Suppose you want to succeed as a DevOps engineer. In that case, having a solid foundation in software development and system administration and excellent communication and collaboration skills is crucial.

Continuously learning and staying up-to-date on the latest tools and best practices is also essential. Finally, it is vital to have a passion for problem-solving and a willingness to take on new challenges.