Organisations are embracing DevOps in software development to ensure quality products are delivered faster. This fast-growing domain offers a range of career opportunities for those willing to learn. You can enrol for one of the many industry-recognised certifications and then gain experience through internships and entry-level positions.

DevOps, a blend of ‘development’ and ‘operations’, is a transformative approach that enhances collaboration, efficiency, and quality in software delivery. It breaks down silos between development and operations teams, fostering a culture of shared responsibility. Supported by practices and tools that automate and integrate processes, DevOps enables faster and more reliable software delivery.

The core objective of DevOps is to shorten the systems development lifecycle, allowing for frequent and aligned updates with business goals. By adopting a DevOps culture, organisations can deliver applications at high velocity, improving products faster and staying competitive. DevOps addresses bottlenecks and long release cycles through continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), automating code building, testing, and deployment.

DevOps also emphasises infrastructure as code (IaC), reducing manual errors and enhancing scalability. Tools like Docker and Kubernetes are integral, facilitating containerisation and orchestration, and streamlining deployments. As demand for rapid deployment grows, so does the need for skilled DevOps professionals. Organisations recognise DevOps’ value in achieving business agility and innovation, making it a lucrative career path.

Successful DevOps professionals possess strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. They are proficient in tools and technologies for automating processes, monitoring performance, and ensuring system reliability. DevOps careers offer attractive salaries, continuous learning, and professional growth opportunities.

Certifications for DevOps

Certifications can significantly enhance a DevOps career by validating one’s skills and knowledge, demonstrating a commitment to professional growth, and often leading to better job opportunities and higher salaries. Here are some of the most prominent and respected certifications in the DevOps field.

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification focuses on provisioning, operating, and managing distributed application systems on the AWS platform. It is designed for individuals who perform a DevOps Engineer role with two or more years of experience provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments. Key areas covered include:

• Continuous delivery and automation: Implementing and managing continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS.
• Security controls: Implementing and automating security controls, governance processes, and compliance validation.
• Monitoring and logging: Designing, managing, and maintaining tools to automate operational processes.
• Incident and event response: Automating monitoring, alerting, and auditing.
• Infrastructure as code (IaC): Using AWS CloudFormation and other tools to deploy infrastructure as code.

Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification validates skills in Kubernetes, which is essential for managing containerised applications. This certification is aimed at Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, and other IT professionals responsible for Kubernetes management. Key areas covered include:

• Cluster architecture, installation, and configuration: Setting up and configuring a Kubernetes cluster, understanding the Kubernetes API, and deploying applications.
• Workloads and scheduling: Managing deployments, rolling updates, and scaling applications.
• Services and networking: Configuring network policies, service discovery, and load balancing.
• Storage: Provisioning and managing storage in Kubernetes.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and fixing common issues in a Kubernetes environment.

Docker Certified Associate

The Docker Certified Associate (DCA) certification demonstrates expertise in Docker, an essential containerisation tool in DevOps. This certification is intended for professionals with some experience in Docker and containerisation. Key areas covered include:

• Orchestration: Understanding and using Docker Swarm and Kubernetes for orchestration.
• Security: Applying security best practices in Docker, including image scanning and vulnerability management.
• Networking: Configuring and troubleshooting Docker networking.
• Storage and volumes: Managing Docker storage and volumes.
• Image creation and management: Building, tagging, and pushing Docker images.

Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert

The Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification covers designing and implementing strategies for collaboration, code, infrastructure, source control, security, compliance, continuous integration, testing, delivery, monitoring, and feedback. It is ideal for professionals working with Microsoft Azure. Key areas covered include:

• DevOps strategy: Developing an instrumentation strategy, site reliability engineering (SRE) strategy, and security and compliance plan.
• Implementation: Implementing continuous integration, delivery, and feedback.
• Infrastructure as code (IaC): Managing configuration and infrastructure as code using tools like Azure Resource Manager, Terraform, and Azure DevOps.
• Dependency management: Managing dependencies and package management using tools such as NuGet, npm, and Maven.
• Application infrastructure: Implementing application infrastructure by using Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and other Azure services.

Additional certifications

While the above certifications are among the most recognised, there are other valuable certifications that can enhance a DevOps career.

• Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer: Focuses on managing service availability and delivery using Google Cloud.
• Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration: Demonstrates skills in managing Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform environments.
• HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate: Validates proficiency in infrastructure as code using Terraform.

A few ways of gaining experience

Practical experience is critical in a DevOps career. Working on real-world projects, either through internships, co-ops, or entry-level positions, helps build the necessary skills and provides valuable insights into the practical aspects of DevOps. Internships and co-ops offer a structured environment where budding DevOps professionals can learn under the guidance of experienced mentors, gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, and understand the workflows and challenges faced in a professional setting.

Moreover, entry-level positions such as junior DevOps Engineers or systems administrators can serve as stepping stones, allowing individuals to gradually build their expertise and take on more complex responsibilities over time. These roles often involve tasks such as setting up CI/CD pipelines, managing servers, and writing automation scripts, providing a solid foundation in the core practices of DevOps.

Participating in open source projects is another excellent way to gain experience. Contributing to these projects not only helps in honing technical skills but also provides an opportunity to collaborate with a global community of developers and IT professionals. This collaborative experience can be invaluable, as it mirrors the teamwork and communication required in a professional DevOps environment. Open source contributions also enhance one’s portfolio, showcasing practical experience to potential employers.

Engaging with community forums, such as Stack Overflow, GitHub, or specialised DevOps communities, allows aspiring DevOps professionals to seek advice, share knowledge, and stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in the field. These platforms offer a wealth of resources, including tutorials, documentation, and problem-solving discussions, which can aid in continuous learning and professional growth.

Additionally, setting up personal labs to experiment with various DevOps tools and techniques is highly beneficial. Personal projects, such as building a CI/CD pipeline for a web application, setting up a Kubernetes cluster, or automating infrastructure provisioning with Terraform, provide hands-on experience and deepen one’s understanding of DevOps principles. These projects can be showcased in a portfolio to demonstrate practical skills to potential employers.

Career opportunities in DevOps

The demand for DevOps professionals spans various roles, each with its unique focus and responsibilities. Key roles include:

DevOps Engineer: DevOps Engineers are responsible for creating and managing CI/CD pipelines, automating processes, and ensuring seamless deployment of applications. They work closely with development and operations teams to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve the efficiency and reliability of software delivery. Key tasks include writing automation scripts, configuring build and deployment tools, and monitoring application performance.

Site reliability engineer (SRE): Site reliability engineers focus on improving system reliability through automation, monitoring, and performance optimisation. They implement practices such as error budgeting, automated incident response, and proactive performance tuning to ensure that systems are resilient and scalable. SREs work to bridge the gap between development and operations by applying software engineering principles to infrastructure and operations problems.

Release manager: Release managers oversee the release process, ensuring that new features and updates are deployed smoothly and efficiently. They coordinate with development, QA, and operations teams to manage release schedules, conduct release readiness reviews, and mitigate release-related risks. Release managers play a crucial role in maintaining the stability and reliability of production systems during deployments.

Cloud engineer: Cloud engineers manage cloud infrastructure and services, which are integral to DevOps practices. They design, implement, and maintain cloud-based solutions, ensuring that they are scalable, secure, and cost-effective. Cloud engineers often work with tools such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform to automate infrastructure provisioning, manage cloud resources, and optimise cloud performance.

Roles and responsibilities of a DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer plays a multifaceted role within an organisation, encompassing various responsibilities.

CI/CD management: DevOps Engineers design and maintain continuous integration and delivery pipelines. They ensure that code changes are automatically built, tested, and deployed to production, facilitating faster and more reliable software releases.

Automation: Automation is a key aspect of DevOps. Engineers automate manual processes to enhance efficiency and reduce errors. This includes writing scripts to automate repetitive tasks, configuring automation tools, and implementing infrastructure as code (IaC) practices.

Monitoring and logging: DevOps Engineers implement monitoring solutions to ensure system health and performance. They set up logging and alerting mechanisms to detect and respond to issues proactively, ensuring high availability and reliability of applications.

Collaboration: Working closely with development, QA, and operations teams is essential for a DevOps Engineer. They facilitate communication and collaboration between teams to streamline workflows, resolve issues, and ensure smooth deployments.

Infrastructure as code (IaC): Using tools like Terraform and Ansible, DevOps Engineers manage and provision infrastructure through code. IaC allows for consistent and repeatable infrastructure deployments, enhancing scalability and reducing the potential for human error.

Skills required for a DevOps Engineer

To excel in a DevOps role, professionals need a mix of technical and soft skills. The technical skills needed are:

Programming languages: Proficiency in languages such as Python, Ruby, and Go.

CI/CD tools: Familiarity with tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, and CircleCI.

Containerisation: Experience with Docker and Kubernetes for container management and orchestration.

Cloud platforms: Knowledge of AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform for managing cloud infrastructure.

Automation and scripting: Skills in automating tasks using tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.

The soft skills required are:

Problem-solving ability: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to diagnose and resolve issues.

Communication: Effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Collaboration: Ability to work in a team-oriented environment and facilitate cooperation between development and operations teams.

Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing technologies and processes.

Attention to detail: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and reliability in deployments and automation scripts.

Gaining practical experience through internships, open source contributions, and personal projects is essential for a successful career in DevOps. The demand for DevOps professionals continues to grow, offering diverse career opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge technologies. By developing a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills, aspiring DevOps Engineers can excel in their roles and make significant contributions to their organisations.