what is a DevOps engineer?

A DevOps engineer designs new products or improves existing ones to increase revenue for a company. That means you should know the phases of the product development cycle to design, develop and create new product ideas for businesses.

As a DevOps engineer, you work in any industry that produces consumer products, from pharmaceutical industries that create medical equipment to manufacturers of mechanical toys. To succeed in your role, it is crucial to understand mechanical engineering principles, especially in designing or developing equipment and gadgets. Some DevOps engineers also spend their careers developing systems or components that facilitate the use of products.

As a DevOps engineer, you conduct market research to identify gaps, targeting users and similar products before you design a product. From the research, you develop new concepts that meet the needs of consumers. You also decide on the features to incorporate for your product to stand out. After creating the prototype and design, you collaborate with engineers and other specialists in the field to ensure the digital products meet the quality standards. You also engage marketing teams to build a marketable product with a promising return on investment (ROI).

Would working as a DevOps engineer suit your problem-solving skills and familiarity with coding and scripting? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a DevOps engineer role.

DevOps engineer jobs
1

average DevOps engineer salary

According to Job Bank, DevOps engineers take home a median salary of $152,269 per year. When you have entry-level experience, you start with a salary of $146,250 annually, while experienced DevOps engineers earn over $155,678 yearly.

Your earnings fluctuate based on your region or province. In Nova Scotia, your average salary is 154,482 per year, while in Manitoba, you earn $151,719 annually. When you work in regions with a high demand for DevOps engineers, you will likely earn more due to the shortage of qualified professionals. Working in urban areas with tech hubs also improves your salary prospects.

Aside from location, your employer also influences your earnings. Working for a small start-up limits your salary since they have fewer resources. You are likely to earn more if you land a role in a large company.

download our salary guide
2

types of DevOps engineers

As a DevOps engineer, you use your expertise to create products, from conceptualization to the final production stage. You can specialize in the following areas:

  • product design engineer: your job is to plan and build a functional product for your employer from the idea provided. You research various ways to implement the concept and prepare the technical drawings and prototypes. You can also improve on existing products.
  • project DevOps engineer: you supervise the entire product life cycle process, from idea conceptualization to releasing the product to the market.
  • test DevOps engineer: you are in charge of running quality assurance tests and ensuring a product meets the industry standards. You also analyze the efficiency and functionality of the product.
  • technical DevOps engineer: as a DevOps engineer, you are in charge of the technical aspects, creating the blueprints or drawings and checking artist renderings for practicability.
group having an interactive meeting
group having an interactive meeting
3

working as a DevOps engineer

If you enjoy collaborating with other professionals on development projects, you will have fun working as a DevOps engineer. Check out the duties and responsibilities associated with the role.

4

DevOps engineer skills and education

To work as a DevOps engineer, you require the following educational qualifications:

  • bachelor’s degree: to become a DevOps engineer, you require a bachelor’s degree in computer systems engineering, software engineering or computer science. You can also pursue a college program in computer science to get an entry-level position as a DevOps engineer. Some employers ask for a master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant field, especially if you are taking up a senior position.
  • professional certification and licensing: you require a territorial or provincial association of professional engineers to work as a DevOps engineer. Like other engineers, you are eligible for registration to an association after you complete the supervised work experience and the professional practice examination. For instance, in Alberta, register with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, while in Manitoba, register with Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba.

competencies and characteristics of DevOps engineers

The skills you need as a DevOps engineer include the following:

  • communication: you need good communication skills when you are a DevOps engineer. It helps you communicate clearly with clients, team members and company stakeholders when explaining the product design or development process.
  • research skills: market research is important in determining the consumer needs and features to include in a product. Research skills help you understand the target market and competition before designing a product.
  • attention to detail: as a DevOps engineer, you draw blueprints and prepare technical drawings for various products. If you aren't detail-oriented, you are likely to miss important aspects of the design specifications.
  • computer skills: computer skills are handy since you use various applications to create your designs. Experience in using CAD software also helps you draw exceptional designs.
  • interpersonal skills: as a DevOps engineer, you work alongside various professionals. You need interpersonal skills to collaborate with them and avoid conflicts.
  • flexibility: as a DevOps engineer, it is important to be flexible so that you can handle tasks at any hour. Software issues arise any time of day or night, so you have irregular hours. Sometimes, you stay on call to resolve issues.
5

FAQs

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a DevOps engineer.

6

meet a recruiter

Make sure your resume is up-to-date, including information about your technical skills and certifications. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities.

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.