How to become a cloud engineer

If you're tech-savvy and looking for an engaging and potentially lucrative career, cloud engineering may be a good fit for you. Cloud engineers apply advanced IT concepts to cloud infrastructure to help companies and government entities work more securely and efficiently. Learn what education, certification, and experience are necessary to become a cloud engineer.

What does a cloud engineer do?

Cloud engineers develop, integrate, and troubleshoot cloud applications and infrastructure for organizations that need greater scalability, efficiency, and security. Cloud engineers have slightly different responsibilities depending on their specialties:

• Cloud software engineers: Create and maintain applications
• Cloud support engineers: Solve cloud infrastructure performance issues
• Cloud network engineers: Design, implement, and manage infrastructure

Cloud engineers can pursue careers in any industry that relies on technology, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, finance, and education.

Salaries in cloud engineering vary depending on a person's field and years of experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employees in computer and information technology fields earned a median of $104,420 in May 2023. The pay range in this sector is wide. Computer support specialists, who do not need a degree, earned a median of just of $60,000 in 2023. Computer and information research scientists, on the other hand, must have a master's degree and made over $140,000 the same year.

Steps to become a cloud engineer

If you're interested in pursuing an information technology role, becoming a cloud engineer can be a rewarding choice. Below is an overview of the education and experience you'll need to enter and succeed in this field.

Step 1: Earn a degree in computer science

A bachelor's or master's degree program in computer science can offer a solid knowledge base in computers and computer systems. This includes:

• Operating systems
• Networking
• Algorithms
• Cybersecurity
• Data structures and analysis
• Computational principles

These degree programs may be more general and focus on core concepts, providing flexibility in pursuing a specific IT career path. You might also consider a cloud-specific degree program, which several institutions offer.

Step 2: Secure an IT internship

Cloud computing, like any IT specialization, requires a lot of hands-on experience. Scoring an internship with a tech company can allow you to gain that experience in a supervised environment.

During your internship, you may focus on the following skills and concepts:

• Cloud platforms
• Programming
• Networking
• Systems administration

Having this experience can also boost your résumé, showing employers that you understand how to apply your theoretical knowledge in a practical way.

Step 3: Consider obtaining additional certifications

While a bachelor's degree program offers broad foundational skills, certification programs can teach you how to become a cloud engineer with specific technical knowledge. Certifications can also demonstrate your know-how and set you apart from other applicants.

Some of the major cloud computing companies offer beginner-friendly courses that can help you grasp cloud computing concepts. These include:

• IBM's Introduction to Cloud Computing
• Amazon's AWS Cloud Technical Essentials
• Google Cloud Computing Foundations

Keep in mind that some of these courses convey general principles, while others (like AWS courses) are platform-specific.

Get started on edX

Whether you're just starting your computer science degree or you're looking to pivot in your IT role, sign up for an edX cloud computing course to expand your knowledge.