8 In-Demand DevOps Skills for Engineers

Key takeaways

A DevOps engineer bridges the development and operational aspects of the software development process.

• Key DevOps technical skills include knowledge of programming languages, proficiency with testing tools, and the ability to use Linux to automate applications and testing environments.

• Effective communication and problem-solving are vital workplace skills for a DevOps engineer. 

• You can qualify for the DevOps engineer role by earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems, software engineering, or a related field.

Take a closer look at what DevOps engineers do, including the skills and qualifications needed to pursue this role. Afterward, if you’re ready to explore foundational concepts in DevOps, enroll in the IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to develop a DevOps mindset, implement Agile principles, employ tools for automation, and more. 

What is DevOps?

DevOps is the consolidation of development and operational teams in order to provide benefits to the software development process and build upon conventional methods where developers and operations teams previously worked separately. These benefits include an increase in the speed of development and the frequency of product innovation. The increase in collaboration as a result of the DevOps model is largely responsible for the improvement in efficiency since team members are better able to work together and share the responsibilities of tasks. 

DevOps engineer skills and job duties

DevOps engineers are involved in the entire software development process and perform various tasks within that process. These include:

• Maintaining and troubleshooting software

• Ensuring the proper security of software systems and minimizing vulnerabilities

• Working with customers to better understand their needs

• Collaborating with the rest of the information technology (IT) department

• Updating software

• Creating solutions for technical errors that occur

• Writing code and automating processes using scripting

What are the 7 C's of DevOps?

The 7 C’s of DevOps are the seven processes of a DevOps lifecycle. These phases include:

1. Continuous development

2. Continuous integration

3. Continuous testing

4. Continuous deployment

5. Continuous monitoring

6. Continuous feedback

7. Continuous operations

How to become a DevOps engineer

You typically need a bachelor's degree to be a DevOps engineer, with relevant degree options including a bachelor’s in computer science, electronics engineering, management information systems, mathematics, and software engineering. Gaining experience in information technology is also important. It's common for DevOps engineers to have prior experience in software engineering, software development, and other IT positions. You can also earn a DevOps certification to demonstrate your knowledge and acquire skills. Some DevOps certifications you can earn are Amazon Web Services Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, Google's Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer, and CompTIA Linux+.

Read more: What Is a Bachelor’s Degree? Types, Cost, and Application Requirements

Essential DevOps human skills

While you need plenty of technical skills as a DevOps engineer, your interpersonal skills are also important since you will be working with other members of a team. Here are some of the human skills to develop:

1. Collaboration

Because DevOps aims to bring together the development and operational sides of software development, collaborating with others is a key skill to have as a DevOps engineer. Along with understanding development and operations, you should be able to work with any other IT departments that play a role in the software development process to ensure successful outcomes.

2. Continuous learning

As a DevOps engineer, staying current with the latest tools and technologies is important to ensure you’re as productive as possible. Continuous learning can also help you become a better decision-maker as your knowledge grows.

3. Communication

When working with members of your team, it’s a valuable skill to effectively communicate your ideas in a clear way that others will understand. As a DevOps engineer, you need strong verbal and written skills.

4. Problem-solving and decision-making

When issues arise in the software development process, it’s your responsibility as a DevOps engineer to find and implement a solution. Effective problem-solving means you understand the problem in its entirety and, after exploring all options, decide on the best possible solution.

Essential DevOps technical skills

Your work as a DevOps engineer requires proficiency in several technical skills. Here's a look at important technical skills worth developing:

1. Testing skills

One of your job responsibilities is identifying issues within the software, and you should be familiar with testing tools to spot software bugs that need fixing. Testing helps ensure you deliver a quality end product to customers.

2. Coding and scripting

As a DevOps engineer, you need to have knowledge of programming languages and be able to write code in languages such as JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, Bash, Shell, and Python. Coding and scripting skills are also important for effectively utilizing operating systems. 

3. Security skills

DevOps teams using third-party code during software development can potentially leave the program susceptible to security concerns. In order to combat this, you should have security skills, including threat investigation, code analysis, and vulnerability assessments. 

4. Linux

Linux is a widely used, open-source operating system. You will use Linux as a DevOps engineer to automate applications and testing environments, perform configuration management, and implement security settings that protect against viruses and malware.

How to develop DevOps skills

You have several options for further developing your DevOps skills. Degree programs are one option. You can even choose to pursue a master’s degree in an area such as software development or IT management to improve your career outlook as a DevOps engineer. You can also earn certifications or enroll in online courses such as those found on Coursera. Focusing on continuous learning will help you keep up with advancements that help you do your job and ensure your skills are up to date so you can pursue advancement opportunities. Another way you can stay knowledgeable of the latest DevOps developments is by joining an online community where professionals share information.

Explore our free resources for DevOps engineers

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to keep track of the latest trends in DevOps engineering. Continue your learning journey with our other free digital resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Breaking Down SRE and DevOps: Which One Fits You Best?

• Explore certifications: 5 popular software engineering certifications

• Take a quiz: Python Skill Assessment

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