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The 8 Most In-Demand DevOps Engineer Skills

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02nd Aug, 2023
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The 8 Most In-Demand DevOps Engineer Skills

DevOps is a term that combines development and operations aimed at improving communication within organizations to increase productivity and efficiency. Since its inception, DevOps has gathered a lot of attention and there is no doubt that it has many benefits for organizations. It is essential for you to know the most demanding DevOps engineer skills to be able to fit in and find the right job. It might seem that the job of a DevOps engineer is easy because all they do is "automate everything." But that is not really true. In reality, being a skilled DevOps engineer is quite difficult as it requires a unique blend of technical expertise and business awareness. This article will get you the top skills for DevOps engineer so that you do not stay behind when it comes to stay updated with the latest trends.

Due to the high demand for DevOps professionals, companies are willing to pay big bucks for someone who has the right mix of DevOps skills. A DevOps Engineer is someone who has earned certification in DevOps courses. He/She is often seen as a key player in any software development team.

Who is a DevOps Engineer?

A DevOps engineer is a professional who specializes in the practice of DevOps. This practice focuses on the integration of development and operations tasks to streamline the software development process while maintaining high-quality standards.

A DevOps Engineer typically has a deep understanding of both Development and Operations processes and is able to work comfortably in both environments. In addition, he/she is typically well-versed in automation tools and practices, which can further speed up the software development process. You can check DevOps skills list must of DevOps engineers further below in this article.

Top 8 DevOps Engineer Skills

The role of a DevOps engineer is to manage an organization's application development and delivery process. They are responsible for ensuring that software changes are made in a controlled and coordinated manner. To be successful in this role, there are certain skills that a DevOps engineer must possess.

1. Technical Skills Required for DevOps Engineers

The first and foremost DevOps engineer required skills involve strong technical skills. This includes having a good understanding of the following:

a. Linux Fundamentals/Coding and Scripting Skills

DevOps engineers need to be well-versed in Linux in order to be able to set up and manage servers. They also need to know how to code and script, as this is often used for automating tasks.

b. Automation Skills

Automation is a key part of DevOps, and so DevOps engineers need to be able to automate tasks using tools such as Puppet, Chef, and Ansible.

c. Cloud Skills

As many organizations are now moving to the cloud, DevOps engineers need to have good cloud skills in order to be able to set up and manage cloud-based infrastructure. This includes knowing how to use AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

d. Security Skills

Security is an integral part of DevOps engineer basic skills, as it ensures that the systems and data are protected. DevOps engineers need to be able to implement security measures such as encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems.

e. Testing Skills

Testing is essential in DevOps in order to ensure that the code changes made do not cause any problems. DevOps engineers need to be able to use automated testing tools such as Selenium and Jenkins.

f. Technical Support and Maintenance Skills

As DevOps engineers are responsible for the upkeep of the systems, they need to have good technical support and maintenance skills. This includes being able to troubleshoot and fix problems as they arise.

2. Communication and Collaboration Skills

In addition to strong technical skills, DevOps engineers also need to have good communication and collaboration skills. Engineers often work across multiple teams and need to be able to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders.

They need to be able to build relationships, resolve conflicts, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Possessing both hard and soft skills is one of the DevOps engineer skills required that will truly excel in their field.

3. Knowledge on Various DevOps Tools and Technologies

a. Source Code Management

The SCM tools are used to manage the source code of an application. They help to ensure that the code is stored in a central repository and that it is easy to track changes.

b. Configuration Management

These tools are used to manage the configuration of an application. Their role is to ensure that the correct versions of the software are deployed and that the configurations are consistent across environments.

c. Continuous Integration

Continuous integration tools are used to automatically build and test code changes. Their purpose is to ensure that code changes can be easily integrated into the main codebase and that they do not cause any problems.

d. Continuous Testing

Continuous testing tools are used to automatically test code changes to ensure they meet the requirements and do not cause any problems.

e. Continuous Monitoring

Continuous monitoring tools are used to automatically monitor systems and applications to identify problems early and prevent them from becoming major issues.

f. Containerization

Containerization is a technique used to package an application so that it can be deployed quickly and easily. It is one of the technical skills required for DevOps engineers that is often done using containers such as Docker.

4. Learning Proactive Monitoring

As its name suggests, proactive monitoring is all about being proactive and taking steps to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. While reactive monitoring simply monitors systems for signs of trouble, proactive monitoring uses predictive analytics to identify potential issues before they happen.

By doing so, proactive monitoring can help to avoid outages and disruptions. In addition, proactive monitoring can help to improve the overall quality of service by preventing issues from ever happening in the first place, making it essential for DevOps engineer skills.

5. Configuration and Version Management

As a DevOps engineer, one of your key responsibilities is to ensure that all code changes are tracked and can be easily rolled back in the event of a problem. In order to do this effectively, you must possess the strong configuration and version management skills required for DevOps engineer.

Configuration management is the process of managing environment variables and configuration files to ensure that all developers are working with the same set of configurations and that there are no inconsistencies between environments.

Version management is the process of keeping track of different versions of code and configurations. It helps identify the problematic version of code so that you can roll back to a previous version.

6. Customer-Focused Approach

DevOps engineers have to be always focused on the customer and their needs. In order to accomplish this, they must listen to the customer and understand their needs. They also need to be able to explain things in a way that the customer will understand.

In addition, DevOps engineers must be able to work well under pressure and handle difficult situations. They are expected to think quickly and make decisions that are in the best interest of the customer. Lastly, the DevOps engineer skill set involves building relationships with customers to gain their trust and keep them happy.

7. DevOps Engineer Soft Skills and Noble Thought

DevOps engineers work with others to resolve conflicts and build bridges between departments. They are able to think critically to solve problems quickly and efficiently. As a result, they are an essential part of any successful team.

DevOps Engineer Soft Skills and Noble Thought help create a more positive work environment. When everyone is working together towards a common goal, it creates a sense of unity and boosts morale. As a result, productivity increases, and everyone benefits.

8. Non-functional DevOps skills

While being a skilled DevOps engineer is undoubtedly important, there are also a number of non-functional skills needed for DevOps engineers to be nurtured and developed. For example, effective communication is essential to coordinate with other members of the team to ensure collaboration.

Good problem-solving skills are also important, as DevOps engineers are often required to debug issues and find creative solutions to complex problems. Additionally, having the ability to monitor production environments and measure performance also helps to carry out the role effectively.

How to Develop DevOps Engineer Skills? 

As a DevOps engineer, you will need to be well-versed in both development and operations to be successful. While there is no single approach to becoming a DevOps engineer, there are some key things that you can do to develop the necessary skills:

1. Practice, Practice, Practice

The best way to become proficient in anything is through practice. When it comes to learning how to code and test your DevOps engineer technical skills, the best way to practice is by working on real-world projects. There are many online resources that can help you find coding projects to work on. Once you have found a project that interests you, fork the repository and start working on it. As you work on the project, be sure to document your process so that you can reference it later.

2. Attend Industry Events and Workshops

In addition to practicing your coding skills, you will also need to be familiar with the various tools and technologies used in DevOps. The best way to learn about these tools is by attending industry events and workshops. Many of these events are free or low-cost, and they provide an excellent opportunity to learn from experts in the field and advance the skills of DevOps engineer.

3. Taking a Course

Taking a course is another great way to develop the skills needed to be a successful DevOps engineer. There is an expert-curated DevOps online training available that can teach you everything from the basics of coding to more advanced concepts such as containerization and orchestration.

No matter what approach you take, the important thing is to keep learning and practicing. By continuously expanding your knowledge, you will be able to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of DevOps and become a well-rounded engineer.

4. Earn a Degree or Certificate in Project Management

Earning a degree or certificate in project management can help you develop the DevOps engineer skills needed to be successful in DevOps. Project management is a critical component of DevOps, and having formal training will give you a significant advantage.

There are many online and offline programs that offer degrees or certificates in project management. Many of these programs are offered by accredited institutions, so be sure to do your research before enrolling.

a. DevOps Foundation Certification

The DevOps Foundation Certificate is a great way to show employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in DevOps. The certification is offered by the DevOps Certification Board, and it requires passing an exam.

The exam covers a wide range of topics, including the basics of DevOps, culture and organizational change, automation, and monitoring. To prepare for the exam, you can use the resources provided by the certification board or take a DevOps Foundation course from an accredited provider like KnowledgeHut.

By earning the DevOps Foundation Certificate, you will be able to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and show employers that you are serious about pursuing a career in DevOps.

b. DevOps Certifications  

There are many other DevOps-related certifications that you can earn, each of which covers a different area of expertise. Some of the most popular DevOps certifications include:

  • Certified Agile Process Owner (CAPO)
  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
  • Lean Kanban Management Professional (LKMP)

Each of these certifications requires key skills for DevOps engineer with a passing score, and they will all show your dedication to learning and professional development.

5. Joining a DevOps Community

DevOps community offers a great opportunity to meet other engineers and learn about the latest trends and technologies. Being active in a community will allow you to stay up-to-date on the latest DevOps news and learn from other engineers. Additionally, many communities offer opportunities to contribute to open-source projects, which is a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio.

6. Work Experience

While formal education and training are important, nothing can replace real-world experience. To be successful in DevOps, you need to have a deep understanding of the software development life cycle and the various tools and technologies used in the field. The best way to gain this experience is by working on projects that use the DevOps methodology.

Many companies are now using DevOps, so there are many opportunities to get involved. You can also look for internships or entry-level positions at companies that use DevOps. Working on projects will give you first-hand experience with the challenges and obstacles that you will face as a DevOps engineer. This experience will be invaluable as you develop your skills and knowledge.

Conclusion

As businesses strive to become more agile, the demand for talented DevOps engineers is only going to grow. Organizations are increasingly looking for ways to optimize their operations and release new features and products faster. While the specific skills required for the job will vary depending on the company and project, there are some general qualities and DevOps skills that are always in demand. If you want to stand out from the rest, you must have at least some of the skills required to become a DevOps engineer that we have discussed.

DevOps engineer is probably the right career choice for you. But before you can tackle those big demands, you need to learn about the best DevOps practices and experience interactive workshops offered by KnowledgeHut DevOps courses. By receiving training from certified DevOps practitioners, you will develop the skills to become an in-demand DevOps engineer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to Increase Personal Skills in Leadership and Management as a DevOps Engineer?

To effectively increase your personal skills when you lead and manage a team, you must communicate your vision and expectations clearly. You also need to listen to your team's feedback and suggestions and take their input into account when making decisions. It will help you better serve your team and meet their needs.

2. Does DevOps Engineers Do Coding?

DevOps engineers rely heavily on automated tools and processes to manage their workflows. In many cases, they will also write code to automate tasks. As a result, coding is one of the skills required to become a DevOps engineer.

3. How Much Does a DevOps Engineer Make?

Many DevOps engineers have a background in either software development or system administration. As such, they are well-positioned to understand the challenges and needs of both groups. DevOps engineers typically earn a salary of $107,250-$160,000 per year.

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KnowledgeHut is an outcome-focused global ed-tech company. We help organizations and professionals unlock excellence through skills development. We offer training solutions under the people and process, data science, full-stack development, cybersecurity, future technologies and digital transformation verticals.
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