The role of a cloud computing engineer is to look after the cloud computing aspect of IT. As a cloud computing engineer your tasks will include designing and planning, management, support and maintenance. With companies increasingly switching to cloud based systems, it’s an area that offers growing employment opportunities.
What does a Cloud Computing Engineer do?
Within cloud computing there are various roles, each of which is focussed not on the technology but on a clearly defined aspect of cloud computing. Cloud computing engineers are expected to have knowledge and experience of cloud based systems and services and the ability to design and build web services in the cloud.
Roles and responsibilities of cloud computing engineers include:
- Overseeing a company’s cloud computing strategy
- Implementing cloud based security systems
- Ensuring cloud systems adhere to regulations and privacy laws
- Liaising with cloud service providers
- Designing and developing cloud based applications
- Keeping abreast of new developments in software and cloud based technology
- Choosing the correct applications based on requirements
- Migrating existing applications and information to the cloud
- Developing cost effective strategies
- Writing and maintaining code
Who you will work with
As with most IT professionals, cloud computing engineers are required to collaborate with various departments, both on and off site, face to face and online. You will find yourself working alongside individuals from your company’s management, sales and IT departments, while communicating externally with service providers and clients. Some of the other roles you will often collaborate with include:
- AI (Artificial Intelligence) Engineer/Developer
- UX Designer
- Mobile App Developer
- Games Developer
- SQL Developer
- Java Developer
- Cyber Security Expert
- Full Stack Web Developer
- Data Engineer
- Software Engineer
- IT Analyst
- Systems Administrator
- Security Specialist
- Computer Programmer
- .Net Developer
- SAP Developer
- Python Developer
What professional qualifications you will need
Most employers will require you to possess three to five years’ experience working with cloud based services. This covers a wide field, including working with open source technology, developing software, system engineering and designing web services. Familiarity with languages such as Java, Python and Ruby is expected, along with experience working with APIs, databases and open source platforms like OpenStack, Linux and Docker. The minimum qualification required by most employers is a Bachelor of Science in computer science or a related field, though some will demand a Masters of Science degree.
How your career can develop
Cloud computing is an area of IT that is rapidly evolving as more companies migrate their business to the cloud. As such, cloud computing engineers are required to constantly retrain to learn new skills and familiarise themselves with new systems and services. Currently, employer demand is outpacing the number of available candidates with the relevant qualifications, so if you meet the requirements of the role, cloud computing is an area of tech with numerous opportunities. However, bear in mind that the skills you possess today may not be relevant a few years down the line, so continued training and development is essential to progress in a career in cloud computing.