How to become a DevOps Engineer?

Looking to build a career in DevOps but not sure where to start? In today’s fast-paced IT industry, DevOps engineers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between development and operations to streamline software delivery. If you’re wondering how to become a DevOps engineer, the journey involves mastering automation tools, cloud computing, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices. Pursuing an MCA in DevOps or enrolling in a DevOps Engineer Masters Program can provide the technical expertise and hands-on experience needed to excel in this field. In this guide, we’ll explore the skills, certifications, and career paths to help you become a successful DevOps engineer.

What is a DevOps Engineer?

A DevOps Engineer refers to a professional in the IT industry who works at streamlining the lifecycle of software development in the organization. They generally have a fair understanding of both development and operations in the company, hence the name DevOps Engineer, and are entrusted with the task of maintaining smooth functioning of the company’s IT infrastructure. 

How to become a DevOps Engineer?

The roadmap to becoming a DevOps Engineer starts with a professional Computer Science degree. An MCA program helps kickstart a promising career in DevOps Engineering by providing in-depth knowledge of cloud computing, automation, and CI/CD pipelines. However, the degree alone is not enough.

Students keen on pursuing a career in DevOps must also upgrade themselves with the desired domain skills. These include automation skills, software security skills, collaborative skills, and the ability to communicate effectively. Enrolling in a Masters Program where you can learn DevOps can further enhance technical expertise and industry-relevant training.

In addition to these vital skills, DevOps Engineers also need to be well acquainted with methodologies that involve communication, collaboration, and integration between development and operations to ensure streamlined software development. If you’re looking for specialized training, opting for a DevOps course can provide hands-on experience and practical knowledge to build a successful career in this field.

Besides these skills, some prominent certifications may also be helpful on the career path of a DevOps Engineer. Shared below are a few vital certifications for aspiring DevOps professionals:

• DevOps Training
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
• Kubernetes
• Docker Certified Associate
• Puppet

Popular job roles of DevOps Engineer

Upon successful completion of the desired qualification and upgrade to the required skills for DevOps Engineering, graduates can proceed to apply for jobs in the following positions:

• Automation Architect
• Release Manager
• Software Developer
• Security Engineer
• Configuration Manager

DevOps Engineer roles & responsibilities

We mentioned some popular and lucrative job roles in the DevOps Engineering industry. Listed below are some of the key roles and responsibilities in these roles:

1. Computer programming, maintenance of the software development lifecycle, and delivery processes  
2. Collaboration between the development and operations teams for smooth and continuous delivery of processes 
3. Testing of software to ensure data security
4. Performing root cause analysis for errors in production 

Skills required for DevOps Engineer

Some of the requisite skills and tools for a successful DevOps career include:

Becoming a successful DevOps Engineer requires a combination of technical expertise, automation skills, and strong collaboration abilities. Here are some of the key skills needed to excel in this field:

1. Proficiency in Operating Systems & Scripting

A DevOps Engineer should have a strong understanding of operating systems like Linux and Windows. Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell is essential for automating repetitive tasks.

2. Cloud Computing & Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

With cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud dominating the industry, DevOps professionals must be skilled in managing cloud environments. Tools like Terraform and AWS CloudFormation help automate infrastructure deployment.

3. Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

CI/CD pipelines ensure smooth and automated software deployment. Familiarity with tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, and GitHub Actions is crucial for automating build, test, and deployment processes.

4. Containerization & Orchestration

Understanding Docker and Kubernetes is essential for managing and scaling containerized applications efficiently. These technologies help in deploying applications seamlessly across different environments.

5. Security & Monitoring

DevOps Engineers must integrate security practices (DevSecOps) into the software development lifecycle. Knowledge of tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK Stack helps monitor application performance and detect vulnerabilities.

6. Collaboration & Communication Skills

Since DevOps bridges the gap between development and operations teams, strong communication and teamwork skills are necessary to ensure seamless integration and efficiency.

DevOps Engineer salary in India

The pay scales may vary as per the qualifications, skills, and experience of the professional. However, the average entry-level salary of a DevOps Engineer in India is estimated to range from INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs per annum. With the increase in experience and skills, senior DevOps Engineers will likely earn an average salary of INR 16,54,365 per annum.  

Become a DevOps Engineer with online MCA

We discussed the expected job opportunities and salaries in DevOps for aspiring professionals above. The key qualification that can help students pursue a successful career in DevOps Engineering at lucrative pay scales is MCA. A two-year graduate degree course, Master of Computer Applications, equips students with all the necessary skills and information to design, execute, and manage DevOps solutions.

Students also gain hands-on experience in configuring and deploying software applications, a key skill required for DevOps Engineers. You can now pursue online MCA from the comfort of your homes with Sikkim Manipal University. It offers online MCA programs to students on the Online Manipal platform. Online MCA from Sikkim Manipal can indeed be the first step to becoming a DevOps Engineer.

Conclusion

In the fast-growing technology era, DevOps Engineering is one of the best methodologies that helps combine the best of both development and operations to ensure seamless software delivery. This results in the high demand for professionals with this skill. An MCA can help you launch your career in DevOps Engineering. You, too, can pursue an MCA in 100% online mode from anywhere in the world via the Online Manipal portal.