What Does a DevOps Engineer Do?
A DevOps engineer is responsible for automating and streamlining software development and deployment processes. By integrating development, operations, and quality assurance, they ensure faster, more reliable releases through continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Their work includes setting up automated build systems, managing cloud infrastructure, and scripting tools to maintain consistent environments across development and production.
DevOps engineers play a key role in system reliability and scalability. They monitor application performance, respond to incidents, and implement tools for observability and alerting. They also manage infrastructure as code (IaC), container orchestration, and cloud-native deployments, enabling teams to deploy changes quickly and confidently.
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DevOps Engineer Core Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain CI/CD pipelines for automated software delivery
- Develop infrastructure as code (IaC) using tools like Terraform or CloudFormation
- Manage cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP) for scalability and security
- Automate deployment workflows, system updates, and rollbacks
- Monitor application performance, availability, and system health
- Collaborate with developers to troubleshoot build or deployment issues
- Implement containerization using Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes
- Maintain documentation for environments, scripts, and operational procedures
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Bash, Python, or PowerShell)
- Experience with CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI
- Deep knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Infrastructure as code experience using Terraform, Ansible, or similar
- Familiarity with monitoring/logging tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)
Soft skills
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Ability to collaborate across dev, QA, and operations teams
- Clear and consistent documentation and communication habits
- Proactive approach to automation and system improvement
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field
Certifications
None required, but recommended certifications include AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert, and Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting microservices or serverless architectures
- Familiarity with GitOps workflows and automated security scanning tools
- Background in high-availability and disaster recovery configurations
National Average Salary
DevOps engineer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a DevOps Engineer is:
$129,630
Sample Job Description Templates for DevOps Engineers
Junior DevOps Engineer
Position Overview
A junior DevOps engineer assists in maintaining CI/CD pipelines, supporting infrastructure automation, and responding to basic technical issues. This entry-level role is ideal for candidates eager to build hands-on experience with cloud platforms, scripting, and deployment automation.
Responsibilities
- Support CI/CD pipeline builds and test integrations
- Assist with writing scripts for automation and environment setup
- Monitor system health and escalate alerts to senior staff
- Help maintain infrastructure using IaC tools
- Document operational procedures and deployment logs
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic understanding of Linux systems and command-line tools
- Familiarity with Git, Docker, or a cloud provider (e.g., AWS or Azure)
- Exposure to CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab
Soft skills
- Willingness to learn and follow best practices
- Detail-oriented with good troubleshooting instincts
- Effective communication in team environments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
Certifications
- CompTIA Linux+ (recommended)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or personal project experience in DevOps or cloud computing
- Familiarity with Python or Bash scripting
Senior DevOps Engineer
Position Overview
A senior DevOps engineer designs and manages advanced infrastructure systems and CI/CD pipelines. They lead automation initiatives, troubleshoot high-impact issues, and mentor junior engineers to ensure high-performance DevOps environments.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and optimize CI/CD pipelines
- Automate infrastructure provisioning using Terraform, Ansible, or similar tools
- Manage container orchestration via Kubernetes
- Lead incident response for build failures or deployment issues
- Monitor and improve system performance, scalability, and uptime
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep expertise in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
- Strong scripting (Python, Bash) and automation skills
- Experience with containerization and orchestration
- Familiarity with observability stacks (e.g., Prometheus, ELK)
Soft skills
- Strong analytical and diagnostic skills
- Ability to mentor and guide junior team members
- Collaborative mindset with excellent documentation habits
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
Certifications
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (recommended)
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting production-grade microservices
- Background in security and compliance automation
Lead DevOps Engineer
Position Overview
A lead DevOps engineer oversees the development and implementation of DevOps strategies, tools, and best practices. This hybrid role combines technical depth with leadership responsibilities across infrastructure, automation, and team coordination.
Responsibilities
- Define DevOps architecture and lead pipeline modernization initiatives
- Evaluate and integrate new tools for automation, monitoring, and testing
- Collaborate with engineering leads to align deployment strategies
- Enforce security, compliance, and documentation standards
- Mentor engineers and manage workload distribution across DevOps efforts
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced scripting, automation, and infrastructure design skills
- Proficiency in cloud-native DevOps, container orchestration, and CI/CD tooling
- Familiarity with GitOps and security-first DevOps practices
Soft skills
- Strategic planning and cross-functional leadership
- Excellent communication with stakeholders and engineering teams
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Education
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or engineering
Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (recommended)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading platform or SRE initiatives
- Strong understanding of software architecture and system scalability
Cloud DevOps Engineer
Position Overview
A cloud DevOps engineer automates and manages cloud-based infrastructure for continuous delivery and scaling. They work closely with development and IT teams to enable seamless deployments and cloud-native architecture in environments like AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Responsibilities
- Automate provisioning of cloud infrastructure using IaC tools
- Maintain scalable and secure cloud environments
- Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines optimized for cloud deployments
- Monitor performance, cost efficiency, and system reliability in the cloud
- Support multi-account and multi-region architecture
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep expertise with AWS, Azure, or GCP services (e.g., EC2, Lambda, CloudWatch)
- IaC proficiency using Terraform, Pulumi, or CloudFormation
- Strong scripting ability in Python, Go, or Bash
Soft skills
- Cloud-focused troubleshooting and performance tuning
- Strong collaboration with distributed teams
- Organizational awareness of cost optimization and resource tagging
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline
Certifications
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (recommended)
- Azure DevOps Expert (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with serverless deployment and container services like ECS or AKS
- Familiarity with cloud security and identity management
Infrastructure DevOps Engineer
Position Overview
An infrastructure DevOps engineer focuses on automating traditional and hybrid infrastructure, including servers, storage, and networking. They help bridge classic IT operations with DevOps workflows for consistent provisioning and reliability.
Responsibilities
- Automate provisioning of VMs, storage, and networking resources
- Maintain hybrid infrastructure and integration with cloud services
- Configure monitoring and alerting for system health and uptime
- Implement patching, backups, and high availability standards
- Support disaster recovery testing and environment cloning
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of data center and virtualized infrastructure (VMware, Hyper-V)
- Proficiency in Ansible, Chef, or PowerShell DSC for config management
- Familiarity with enterprise networking, DNS, and firewall basics
Soft skills
- Precision and process orientation in production environments
- Ability to manage legacy systems alongside cloud-first tools
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Certifications
- CompTIA Server+ (recommended)
- HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate (recommended)
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in hybrid infrastructure and on-prem/cloud integrations
- Experience with network-aware automation (e.g., static IP, VLAN provisioning)