As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, cloud computing has become the backbone of scalable, flexible, and cost-effective infrastructure. Powering this shift are Cloud Engineers, the professionals who design, implement, and manage these complex systems. In this blog, we’ll break down what a Cloud Engineer does, the skills required to become one, and how you can start your journey.
What is a Cloud Engineer?
A Cloud Engineer is responsible for building and maintaining the cloud environments that companies rely on for storing data, running applications, and delivering digital services. They typically work with major cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to create systems that are scalable, secure, and resilient.
Cloud Engineers might focus on architecture, operations, development, or security — or wear multiple hats, depending on the size of the team and organisation.
Key Skills for Cloud Engineers
- Cloud Architecture Fundamentals: Understanding how cloud environments are structured, including the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, is foundational.
- Platform Expertise: Familiarity with at least one major platform (like AWS or GCP) is essential — this includes compute services, storage, networking, and serverless functions.
- Programming & Automation: Scripting skills (e.g., Python, Bash) and infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) are vital for building and automating environments.
- Security & Governance: Identity and Access Management (IAM), data encryption, and network policies play a critical role in protecting cloud systems.
- Cost Optimisation: Knowing how to balance performance and cost is key — Cloud Engineers often need to monitor and fine-tune services to avoid overspending.
How to Become a Cloud Engineer
You don’t need a cloud-specific bootcamp to get started. Many Cloud Engineers begin by learning software development or IT infrastructure and build cloud skills on top. Here’s a path that works:
- Build a Strong Foundation
Start with software engineering, DevOps, or systems administration skills. Courses in Python, networking, and Linux can be a great place to begin. - Get Hands-On with Cloud Platforms
Sign up for a free tier with AWS or GCP and start experimenting. Follow guided tutorials on deploying web apps, configuring databases, or setting up serverless functions. - Earn Certifications
Entry-level certifications like the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Google Cloud Digital Leader are great for beginners. As you progress, aim for associate or professional-level certs. - Work on Real Projects
Whether it’s contributing to open-source, creating a personal project, or deploying an app to the cloud, real experience is what employers value most. - Stay Curious
Cloud tech evolves fast. Keep learning through communities like freeCodeCamp, A Cloud Guru, or online courses from providers like Coursera or Pluralsight.
Want to Start with Software Engineering Instead?
While Northcoders no longer runs a dedicated Cloud Engineering bootcamp, our full-time and part-time software development courses give you the skills to launch a tech career. Many of our graduates go on to roles in DevOps, platform engineering, and cloud-adjacent specialisms.