We all know that DevOps has become an essential part of today’s technological era. But have you ever wondered how to become a DevOps engineer and what skills and knowledge you need to have to become professional in it? Today we will explore these details with in-depth explanations that will help you to become an expert in DevOps Engineer. 

The Global Development and Operations Market size is expected to be worth around USD 66.0 Billion by 2033, from USD 11.5 Billion in 2023 growing at a CAGR of 19.1% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033. 

As more businesses are implementing DevOps practices and automating the deployment procedure to perform this task, they require a skilled DevOps Engineer. Here, a Certified DevOps Engineer is an excellent credential you should have.

What is a DevOps Engineer?

A DevOps Engineer is an expert who takes responsibility for the processes of developing and releasing software to fulfil smoothly and effectively. The engineer will be responsible for the development, testing, deployment and releasing error-free software while automating repetitive tasks to save time. How to become a DevOps engineer gets easy with Certified DevOps Engineer. 

Role of DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineer reduces complexity and overcomes the gap between the actions required to change an application quickly and the tasks that maintain its reliability. Development teams and IT operations teams have different aims and skills. DevOps engineer requirements includes the skills, knowledge and practices which are elaborated below. 

It’s all about the unification and automation of procedures, and DevOps engineers here are instrumental in combining code, application maintenance and application management. In order to perform these tasks effectively, one must understand the development life cycle and DevOps culture, as well as its philosophy, practices, and tools.  

Importance of DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between development and operations, ensuring seamless integration and delivery of software. They automate and streamline the software development lifecycle, enabling continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). 

Their expertise in monitoring, security, and performance optimization ensures high-quality software delivery, reducing downtime and fostering innovation. In essence, DevOps Engineers are vital for maintaining agility and stability in modern software development practices.

Key Responsibilities and Skills required for a DevOps Engineer

Responsibilities of DevOps Engineer 

• Collaborate with development and operation teams to identify and address issues in SDLC.

• Designing and developing automation tools and frameworks for continuous integration, delivery and deployment.

• Monitoring and Managing Infrastructure.

• Troubleshooting and resolving issues related to application development.

• Implementing and maintaining version control systems, management tools, etc.

• Ensuring compliance with industry best practices and organizational policies. 

Skills of DevOps Engineer

• Programming and Scripting: Proficiency in languages like Python, Ruby, Go, Java, and scripting languages like Bash.

• Configuration Management: Experience with tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.

• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment: Familiarity with tools like Jenkins, Travis CI, GitLab CI, or CircleCI.

• Version Control Systems: Proficiency with Git and related workflows.

• Networking: Understanding of network protocols, DNS, load balancing, and related concepts.

• Monitoring and Logging: Skills in tools like Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, or Splunk.

• Networking: Understanding of network protocols, DNS, load balancing, and related concepts.

• Security: Knowledge of security best practices, compliance, and tools for securing applications and infrastructure.

• Collaboration and Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams.
  

Learn DevOps Engineer Fundamentals

Introduction to DevOps Engineer Principles and Practices

• System Integration: DevOps has successfully emphasizes the integration of diverse systems and tools within a business’s software development and deployment pipeline. It aims to generate a unified, efficient workflow where different groups and components work seamlessly together.

• Communication: Effective communication is the cornerstone of DevOps. Teams are encouraged to share information, insights, and ideas openly. Collaboration is essential to achieving communal goals and objectives.

• Continuous Delivery: It automates the software release procedure, which allows code changes to be deployed to production or staging environments at any time. It reduces the bottlenecks and delays associated with manual deployments.

• Feedback: Feedback loops are essential for continuous enhancement in DevOps. Collecting input from stakeholders and users and automated testing helps identify issues early in the development cycle.

• Continuous Deployment: Going beyond continuous deployment automatically deploys the code changes to production environments once they pass automated tests. 

Understanding of Automation Tools and Techniques 

The automation tools and techniques are crucial for a DevOps Engineer as they enhance efficiency and consistency in the software development lifecycle. Automation reduces manual intervention, minimizes errors, and speeds up processes such as code integration, testing, and deployment.

Tools DevOps Engineers use

• Jira

• Docker

• Kubernetes

• Ansible

• Git

• Prometheus

• Puppet

• Terraform

• CircleCI

• GitHub

Basics of DevOps Engineer and the Fundamentals as per the Industry

A DevOps Engineer combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to enhance collaboration and productivity. Key fundamentals include knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, version control systems like Git, containerization tools like Docker, and orchestration platforms like Kubernetes.

Career growth hinges on continuous learning, embracing automation, improving system reliability, and staying updated with industry trends. Mastery of these fundamentals ensures robust, scalable, and efficient software delivery systems.

Importance of Collaboration and Communication in DevOps Engineer

Collaboration and communication are vital in DevOps, as they ensure seamless integration between development and operations teams. Effective communication fosters a culture of shared responsibility, transparency, and quick feedback loops, essential for agile practices. 

Collaboration tools like Slack, Jira, and Confluence facilitate coordinated efforts, while regular meetings and updates keep everyone aligned. This synergy helps in identifying and resolving issues promptly, enhancing overall productivity and innovation.

Choose a DevOps Engineer Specialization

Overview of Specialized Areas

1. DevOps Professional:

It possesses advanced skills in integrating development and operations, focusing on continuous integration, deployment, automation and monitoring. They ensure efficient and reliable software delivery by developing best practices and tools, optimizing workflows and fostering across teams for seamless and agile processes.  

2. DevOps Foundation:

It covers fundamental principles and practices, emphasizing collaboration, automation and continuous development. It introduces essential tools and concepts such as CI/CD principles, version control, and basic scripting, providing a groundwork for understanding the DevOps culture and methodologies that are important for further specialization. 

3. DevOps Practitioner:

It applies DevOps principles in real-world scenarios, focusing on practical implementation and optimization of CI/CD pipelines, configuration management, and infrastructure as code. They enhance workflows, improve automation, and ensure system reliability, bridging theoretical knowledge with hands-on practices to drive efficient software delivery.

4. DevOps Developer:

It specializes in integrating development workflows with operational tasks, emphasizing code quality, automation, and collaboration. They write code, create CI/CD pipelines, and develop automation scripts to streamline deployments, ensuring seamless transitions from development to production environments.

5. DevOps Engineer:

A DevOps Engineer bridges the gap between development and operations by implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines, automating processes, and ensuring system reliability. They possess skills in scripting, configuration management, and cloud services, aiming to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and the overall software delivery lifecycle.

Consideration of personal interests, strengths, and career goals 

When it comes to selecting the specialization in DevOps, it’s essential to consider personal interests, strengths, career goals, etc.

1. Personal Interests

Reflect on the subjects and activities that you enjoy the most. You must go with the specialization that aligns with your passions. 

2. Strengths

You must identify your abilities and skills. Make sure that you are good at mathematics, problem-solving, programming, critical thinking, and working with machines. It’s essential to note that different specializations need various skill sets, and recognizing your abilities can help you choose a field where you can excel. 

3. Career Goals

You have to think about your long-term career goals and aspirations. Like the impact do you want to make in the industry, which field aligns with your vision? You have to consider if you wish to work in a particular sector or contribute to technological advancements. 

Get a DevOps Engineer Certification

Benefits of obtaining DevOps Engineer Certification

• Efficient and Practical Production Cycle

It has been the norm for development and operations teams to work individually and manage everything. It causes a delay in team communication and, ultimately, negatively affects software testing and launch. Having certification means that businesses will prioritize you for crucial operations and processes.  

• Boost in Salary

DevOps professionals are among the highest paid in the information technology industry, with average salaries ranging from $72,000 to $130,000. The certification can significantly improve potential and career prospects. 

• Enhanced career prospects

It amplifies career prospects by unlocking lucrative job opportunities and offering a competitive edge in employment. Having certification will help you to advance your career in DevOps and related fields. 

• Increased job opportunities

Employers highly value the certification, making it easier to secure job openings and advance in the field. It opens doors to new job opportunities and promotions.

Steps to become DevOps Engineer

If you wonder how long does it take to become a  devOps engineer then you must cross-check following steps. 

1. Understand the DevOps Culture and Principles: Familiarity with core principles of DevOps like continuous integration, continuous deployment, collaboration, etc. 

2. Develop a Strong Foundation in Software Development: Gain proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, Java, or Ruby. Have the knowledge of stages of software development from planning to deployment and maintenance.

3. Gain Proficiency in Operating Systems: As many DevOps tools are Linux-based, gaining a strong understanding of Linux commands and shell scripting is crucial.

4. Learn Key DevOps Tools: Master Git and platforms like GitHub or GitLab and tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, or Travis CI.

5. Gain Hands-On Experience: Start by setting up your own projects to apply what you’ve learned.

6. Get Certified: Obtain certifications like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Google Professional DevOps Engineer, or Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert. This is the best way to learn DevOps engineer skills and its practices. 

7. Understand Cloud Services: Gain expertise in one or more cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

8. Develop Soft Skills: Enhance your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

9. Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio that highlights your projects, contributions to open-source, and any certifications.

10. Network and Stay Updated: Engage with DevOps communities on platforms like Reddit, Stack Overflow, and DevOps forums.

11. Apply for Internships and Entry-Level Positions: Look for internships or junior roles specifically in DevOps, system administration, or related fields.

The best way to learn DevOps engineering skills is through hands-on practice and structured learning. Enroll in the GSDC’s DevOps Engineer Certification to gain comprehensive knowledge and practical experience. This certification covers essential tools and techniques, preparing you for a successful career in DevOps.  Here, interview questions will help you to get prepare for an interview with knowledge. You must explore the information related to it.

Create a DevOps Engineer Portfolio

Having the portfolio will help you to showcases your skills and knowledge through your projects. Developing the end-to-end DevOps pipelines and adding in to the portfolio demonstrates to future employers understanding of software architecture and applications of DevOps tools and technologies within the software development and release lifecycle. 

Start your DevOps Engineer Journey with GSDC

GSDC is one of the standard that provides certifications for professionals who want to excel in their profession. They have wide range of certifications as per the industry standards. It will help you with the skills and knowledge you needed to have to become DevOps Engineer.

Following are the steps to enrol for full-stack development certifications:

• Register for the program and complete the payment.

• You will get LMS access which will give you access to e-learning materials and more.

• Create an account on the GSDC website.

• Take the exam and pass!

Final Thoughts 

DevOps is the practice which requires the cultural change, new management principles and the use of technology tools. A DevOps engineer lies at the heart of a DevOps transformation and it’s essential to have the latest knowledge of practices and information. The above blog will help you to understand how to become professional DevOps Engineer. You must need to read the blog throughout.

Thank you for reading.