Do you want to start a career in the technology sector where you can solve real-world problems that impacts people? Then, a career as a Cloud Engineer can be an intelligent choice for you.
Cloud engineers develop, test, deploy, and debug cloud-based apps for companies and other organizations. They also monitor cloud systems and work with other tech professionals to integrate or migrate current, on-premise structures to a cloud-based environment.
You usually need a VET qualification or a Bachelor's degree in computer science to work as a Cloud Engineer in Australia. Completing vendor certifications with leading cloud providers such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft will improve your entry into this role.
This blog is the perfect place to discover what it takes to pursue this career. It explains the role of a cloud engineer, the career requirements, the average salary for this profession, Cloud Engineer job openings, and the steps to becoming a cloud engineer in Australia.
1. What Is A Cloud Engineer?
The term "cloud" defines the software and applications that run using the internet and are accessible remotely.
Cloud engineers are systems and network engineers that evaluate an organization's technology and migrate specific functions and processes to a cloud-based infrastructure.
They have specialized knowledge of multi-cloud technologies to design multi-cloud configurations and deploy and manage the cloud environment.
These tech professionals help move business applications and processes to public, hybrid, and private cloud systems. This way, they modernize systems and enhance how an organization stores and accesses information.
2. What Does A Cloud Engineer Do?
Cloud engineers are in charge of designing, coding, and implementing secure cloud-based software and applications. They perform a range of duties within their organization's tech department, some of them including:
Design multi-cloud configurations
Assist organizations with the installation, migration, and deployment of cloud-based systems.
Automate cloud-based platforms and functions throughout the system
Migrate current system data and infrastructure to cloud-based networks.
Troubleshoot tech issues, access controls, and administration and arrive at solutions.
Collaborate with a team of tech professionals to find and implement cloud-based solutions.
Manage the technical assistance and maintenance duties of cloud-based systems.
Attend client meetings
Lead ICT project teams
Stay up-to-date with new technology, cloud-based technologies, industry trends, and news.
Continue training and education in cloud-based technology.
3. What Skills Do Cloud Engineers Use?
In addition to quality education, cloud engineers also require a specific skill set to excel at their jobs. They need a combination of soft skills and technical skills, as mentioned below:
Technical Skills
You must understand Cloud Architecture, Linux, AWS, and network design and management well.
You should be familiar with multiple cloud providers environments such as SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) platforms, PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service), and IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) platforms.
You should have extensive knowledge of programming languages, including Java, Python, and Ruby.
Working experience with DevOps, APIs, automation, virtualization, database management, and critical service providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) is desirable.
Migration experience with the three key players – AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure
You must have strong cybersecurity skills to ensure safe and trusted cloud computing environments.
You should have extensive knowledge of private, public, and hybrid cloud infrastructures.
Soft Skills
Creative thinking
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Teamwork skills
Able to work extra hours to meet strict deadlines, and other stressful situations
4. What Qualifications Do I Need To Become A Cloud Engineer?
Aspiring Cloud Engineers must fulfil the following eligibility requirement to pursue the career:
You should be at least 17 years old.
Gain your Senior Secondary Examination certificate.
Completing a Bachelor's degree in computer science is highly regarded for this role. However, you can start with a VET qualification and strong coding skills.
Some of the relevant IT courses to learn the job skills:
To enhance your career prospects, you must complete vendor certifications with leading cloud providers such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.
5. Steps To Become A Cloud Engineer In Australia
Follow the below steps to meet the Cloud Engineer role requirements and get started in the profession:
Step 1: Get Qualified
The first step to pursuing the profession is to know what degree is best for cloud engineers. The ideal qualification to prepare for a Cloud Engineer career is a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, information systems, technology, or another related field.
These programs focus on the technical aspects of software, computing, systems infrastructure, and other technical subjects.
Students learn essential tech skills such as coding, networking, and database management that help them stand out from potential hires and enjoy more career advancement opportunities.
Step 2: Learn Programming
As one of the primary duties of the role is to develop cloud-based software, you must learn the major programming languages used for software development.
Python is a multi-use language that developers mostly use for data analysis.
Java is a fundamental programming language for building mobile and desktop apps and other projects.
Ruby is an open-source language often used to create web applications.
C++ is a language that runs on multiple platforms. Developers use it to build a range of applications.
Gaining proficiency in these programming languages is beneficial as you will use them while working as a cloud engineer.
Additionally, developing a thorough understanding and expertise with mainstream cloud services, such as Amazon Web Service, Azure, and Hadoop, will make you a strong candidate for cloud engineering roles.
Step 3: Gain Professional Experience
Gaining professional experience will further improve your job prospects. Look for internships and open-source projects to get cloud engineering experience.
This hands-on experience helps you learn valuable skills and build a work portfolio that validates your cloud engineering expertise.
Step 4: Consider Earning A Master's Degree
Although a postgraduate qualification is optional, earning one can help you advance your career.
Pursuing a Master's in a specialized technical field, such as software engineering or systems engineering, gives you in-depth knowledge of information technology, programming, and development and adds to your career development.
Step 5: Get Certified
Getting certified in cloud computing can strengthen your resume and make you highly employable for your future job. Look for software engineering and information technology certifications from Microsoft, Google, or Amazon that will help refine and showcase your skills.
AWS Associate Cloud Engineer certification, AWS Solutions Architect certification, etc., prepares, trains, and certifies you for Amazon's public cloud computing platform.
You may also consider completing a Microsoft Azure certification program that provides an array of cloud services, including computing, analytics, storage, and networking.
Cloud Certifications expand your knowledge and skill base in cloud applications and security and improve your entry into different roles in the healthcare, entertainment, and finance industries.
Industry Bodies:
6. Cloud Engineer Jobs In Australia
You can break down the cloud engineering profession into the following:
Solutions Architect (design cloud-based programs and infrastructure)
Cloud developer (develop cloud-based applications)
SysOps engineer (manage developed applications).
Cloud Engineer job roles may include but are not limited to:
Cloud Implementation Architect
Cloud Implementation Engineer
AWS Cloud Engineer
Azure Migration Engineer
Azure Cloud Engineer
Cloud Migration Engineer
Cloud Management Platform Consultant
Cloud Solutions Architect
Cloud Systems Engineer
People with a background in cloud engineering can specialize in the following areas to pursue other cloud engineering job titles:
Software engineering and architecture
Systems engineering and administration
Full-stack development
Front-end development
Back-end development
Cloud engineering experts can also work in software development and data science if the job involves cloud computing.
7. What Is The Typical Work Environment Of Cloud Engineers?
If you are interested in beginning a career as a cloud engineer, you should gain insight into the day-to-day work environment of this profession.
Cloud engineers usually work full-time within a business or organization. They spend significant time in front of computers working on technical applications in an office setting.
Professionals working on large projects may require extra hours to complete them within tight deadlines.
8. How Much Do Cloud Engineers Make In Australia?
Do cloud engineers get paid well? Yes. Cloud Engineers are one of the highest-paid tech jobs in the world. According to Indeed, Australia's average cloud engineer salary is $127,518 annually. This salary figure may vary by company, location, and other factors.
As you build more experience and technical expertise as a cloud engineer, your earning potential can also increase. Also, cloud engineer salaries in Australia can increase by earning further qualifications, such as a master's degree.
Highest paying Australian cities for Cloud Engineers are:
Canberra ACT - $207,530 per year
Sydney Western Suburbs NSW - $153,721 per year
Melbourne City Centre VIC - $142,776 per year
Mitchell ACT - $137,628 per year
Sydney NSW - $135,735 per year
Melbourne VIC - $134,372 per year
Sydney Central Business District NSW - $128,392 per year
Brisbane QLD - $127,580 per year
Perth, WA - $120,215 per year
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cloud Job Has The Highest Salary?
The following are the most sought Cloud Jobs, along with their average salaries in ascending order:
Cloud Implementation Architect - $163,226 per year
Cloud Management Platform Consultant - $154442 per year
AWS Cloud Engineer - $150,000 per year
Cloud Solutions Architect - AU$142,574 per year
Azure Cloud Engineer - $137,500 per year
Cloud Implementation Engineer - $128,107 per year
Cloud Systems Engineer - $115,000 per year
Are Cloud Engineers in Demand in Australia?
Machine learning and AI have a big part in the smooth functioning of organizations. Acknowledge their importance; an increasing number of organizations are heavily investing in the top cloud platforms – Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS that combines to create the 'intelligent cloud.'
Intelligent cloud helps solves challenging issues and optimize the use of data science. By implementing this technology, an organization can unlock the benefits of cloud computing - increased capabilities, flexibility, scalability, accessibility, real-time feedback, and personalized experiences.
As per a 2019 report by NetEnrich, around 68% of IT departments use cloud infrastructures for data storage. This figure is set to rise fast in 2023 and beyond, thereby making the best time to become a cloud engineer.
The demand for cloud computing has soared in recent months, owing to the switch to hybrid, and remote working, taking the focus away from on-premise. In Australia, around 42% of businesses now use its services.
Being a fast-growing industry, there is a high demand for talented cloud professionals to plan, build and maintain cloud-based systems and safely migrate existing IT infrastructure to the cloud.
The government projects opportunities for Cloud Engineers to grow strongly over the next five years in all industries and employment sectors, particularly ICT, scientific, government, education, technical, and financial services.
Is Cloud Engineering Hard To Learn?
Nothing is hard to achieve if you are passionate, willing to learn, and determined to succeed. Like any career, to become a Cloud Engineer, you need to have a specific skill set to work and excel in your job.
Though database and programming language form a good foundation, you should also have strong DevOps engineering skills and cyber security experience to help organizations mitigate risk to new operating models.
Completing certification programs helps you gain advanced skills and knowledge of the latest technologies, work experience, and job preparation. Some of the popular certification options to validate your expertise are:
How To Become a Cloud Engineer Without a Degree?
Though most cloud engineers enter the profession with formal IT or computer science qualifications and experience, you can even make your way into this lucrative career without a technical background.
So, you want to know how to get into cloud engineering without experience. In that case, you need to find ways, like getting certified, to prove your fundamental skills and practical knowledge of the following disciplines to succeed as a cloud engineer.
Database skills
Cloud computing and programming languages – SQL, Python, Go Programming Language (Golang), Clojure, Erlang, Haskell, XML with Java Programming,
Operating systems - Linux
Software Developmental Operations or DevOps
Quality assurance
Data integration and analysis skills
Information security and disaster recovery
You should know that working in a rapid-paced and competitive Cloud Engineering industry can be challenging yet highly rewarding. To pursue a career without experience, it is essential to remain curious and motivated, willing to work hard and stay updated with industry developments.
Cloud engineer training and placement providers like Logitrain trains you in the hottest certifications in the Australian job market, including Cisco, Microsoft, ITIL, CompTIA, and AWS certifications.
You develop work experience while preparing for the certificate that improves your employability for a cloud computing job.
Which Country Is Best For Cloud Engineers?
Boasting world-class universities for scientific research, Germany is one of the best countries worldwide that pay their Cloud Engineers handsomely.
Other top countries in security protection, data privacy, regulations against cybercrime, support for industry standards, and ICT readiness/broadband deployment include Japan, Australia, the United States, and Singapore.
Can I Be A Cloud Engineer Without Coding?
No. Solid coding skills are a must for potential Cloud Engineer aspirants. You should have good command and working experience in programming languages such as Python, Java, C++, Ruby, Go Programming Language, Clojure, Erlang, Haskell, and more.
It is essential because, as a Cloud Engineer, you would use these languages to perform various daily tasks such as data analysis and development of mobile, web, and desktop applications.
How To Cecome an Azure Cloud Engineer?
A career as an Azure Cloud Engineer puts you on the leading edge of the rapidly thriving technology in the IT industry. Several certification programs online can prepare you for this career, such as:
Microsoft Azure AZ-900
Microsoft AZ-104
Microsoft AZ-303
Microsoft AZ-304
Microsoft AZ-500
The coursework of these training programs covers cloud computing, cloud infrastructure, cloud security, virtual machines, and networking services and provides you with the skills to get started in this role.
10. Conclusion
The world of technology is moving fast than ever, with cloud infrastructures at the front stage. There has never been a better time to join the tech sector!
Cloud engineering courses include technical training, hands-on projects, and employability skills development. Completing these courses is the first step to getting the skills and training to become a Cloud Practitioner.
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