what is a cloud engineer?
Cloud development is a broad field with several different roles and specializations. The main specializations are cloud architecture, cloud development, and cloud administration. What these roles have in common is that you work in various ways to create and maintain cloud-based infrastructure for organizations and companies.
cloud engineer jobswhat does a cloud engineer do?
When it comes to cloud architecture, the focus is on configuring the cloud-based infrastructure to ensure it performs as expected. Also, all functions are active and work as expected.
It's about granting access to the right users and making sure there are no unnecessary fees. Since you are the one designing and building the organization's or company's cloud-based systems, you are the one creating the blueprints for them, and you ensure that the company has access to all the important applications within the system.
As a cloud engineer, you are also responsible for development. This means you write code that creates new features, databases, and applications used in the cloud. Your mission is to ensure that cloud technologies are efficient and work as they should. For example, it is important that the applications and databases have fast upload and download times, use as little storage space as possible, and can be accessed through several different browsers.
After you have developed and installed cloud technology, as a cloud engineer you are also involved in monitoring and managing the networks. From an administrative perspective, this includes managing both local software and cloud services. An important part of this is setting up policies for the use of cloud services and creating a secure cloud environment.
Read more about the skills and qualifications required for you to succeed in the role of cloud engineer.
average salary as a cloud engineer.
Cloud engineers have sought-after skills that many companies are in great need of, and therefore there are good prospects for a good monthly salary. The average salary for a cloud engineer at entry level is between 35,000 and 45,000 kronor per month on the Swedish job market.
The large range indicates that there are several factors affecting individual salaries, but in the end, it is the individual salary setting that applies. Factors such as employer, experience, and complexity of the tasks will determine the specific salary for each person.
For a senior cloud engineer, the average salary is between 45,000 and 65,000 kronor per month. It is a role with more responsibility, where you may be in charge of an entire team of cloud engineers and the final product in various projects. To obtain such a position, you often need extensive work experience, strong educational qualifications in a relevant field, or particular personal suitability for management roles.
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what affects the salary as a cloud engineer?
There are many aspects that affect the salary for a cloud engineer. The wide range in the average salary for cloud engineers, both in junior and senior roles, indicates that there are many factors that influence on an individual level.
Some things you can influence yourself. Those with more work experience or many relevant qualifications will be in a better position to negotiate with the employer, and can therefore get a higher salary. Since cloud engineer is a complicated job that requires you to constantly update your knowledge of programming and different coding languages, professional development is also an important step to achieve a higher salary. Those who continuously update and develop their knowledge will be able to earn more than those who do not.
But there are also aspects that are not as easy to influence on your own. For example, a cloud engineer working at a larger and more established company generally receives a higher salary. At the same time, someone working at a smaller company often needs to handle more and more complex tasks, since there are not as many people involved in a single project as there are at a larger company.
different roles of cloud engineer.
Cloud engineers usually specialize in different roles associated with cloud services and cloud technology. Some different areas of specialization within cloud development are:
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cloud architecture
Anyone working as a cloud architect is an expert in building and designing cloud services. As a cloud architect, you also plan and design the cloud-based communication and distribution systems used within the organization. Since you are responsible for migrating the organization's or company's local applications to the cloud, you also ensure that costs are kept down by making sure only necessary and essential cloud services are used by the company.
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cloud development
As a cloud engineer, you use your programming skills and your knowledge of different coding languages to develop and deploy cloud services and cloud-based applications. You find the best possible cloud-based solution for users and determine how it will work on different platforms. You also make sure that everything runs smoothly and that there are no bugs.
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cloud administration
As a cloud administrator, you have a role with tasks similar to those of traditional system administrators, but for cloud-based services. You develop policies for the implementation of new cloud services and ensure that the cloud-based services in use are secure. You also make sure that system errors are kept to a minimum and that any interruptions in the systems are as brief as possible.
working as a cloud engineer.
As a cloud engineer, you use your advanced knowledge of coding and programming languages to develop and design cloud-based applications. Here you can read more about job tasks, the work environment, and other things related to the job as a cloud engineer.
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work tasks
Some recurring tasks as a cloud engineer are to:
- Design cloud services: As a cloud engineer, you build your own applications and systems. You use your technical expertise in distributed applications and systems to design the cloud-based infrastructure that will be used.
- Develop cloud-based applications: Your role also involves developing your own cloud services. You use your programming skills to develop, build, and install cloud-based applications. This means you write the code used to program the functions in the applications. In addition to the actual development, you also make sure to look for bugs and troubleshoot other system errors.
- Maintain cloud-based applications: You are responsible for maintaining and monitoring the cloud services in use. This may include performing regular checks and maintenance to ensure that the functions work as intended. You also make sure to carry out security checks to ensure that the cloud service is safe to use for the organization or company.
- Migrate the company's local applications to the cloud service: As a cloud engineer, you decide which cloud service the company needs. Once the infrastructure is set up, you make sure to migrate the local applications already in use to the cloud-based platform. You also maintain the storage in the cloud service to ensure it works as it should.
- Optimize costs for cloud services: Cloud services are very versatile, but many companies and organizations only use a part of the features. Therefore, it is important to choose cloud services that fit the needs and do not cost unnecessarily much. This is important to keep track of as a cloud engineer. You compare different options and calculate the costs for the various alternatives to make a smart choice based on the existing need. Your job is ultimately about ensuring that the company or organization can use the cloud services as desired.
- Identify bottlenecks and minimize interruptions: As a cloud engineer, you closely monitor the cloud service and applications to see if there are any issues or bottlenecks that need to be investigated further or addressed, so the company does not lose productivity due to interruptions or poor performance.
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work environment
As a cloud engineer you usually work at companies that specialize in cloud development and cloud-based solutions. There are also large companies in various industries that have hired their own cloud engineers. Regardless of who your employer is, the job as a cloud engineer will primarily be a task performed at a desk, in a classic office environment.
You spend most of your time programming various applications, troubleshooting cloud services, and performing other types of tasks that require technical equipment. Since almost all tasks are done on a computer, you can also work from home, provided your employer allows it. Some working hours may be spent in meetings with the rest of the team, with clients whose projects you are working on, at conferences and workshops for educational purposes, but overall, it is a job that involves little travel.
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your colleagues
As a cloud engineer, it's not uncommon for you to work in teams with other developers responsible for other parts of the development. It can be backend developer, frontend developer, software developer, app developer, IT technician, IT security specialist and fullstack developer. You can also have software developers (also called) software designer) as colleagues. In addition, it is not uncommon for you to work closely with a project manager or chef.
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work schedule
In most cases, cloud engineer, regardless of working hours, is a full-time job of up to 40 hours per week. At many companies, regular office hours apply, but there are also assignments, clients, and companies that require you to work around the clock. Then you work in shifts and may need to work evenings, weekends, and nights to maintain important cloud services.
It is also possible to find project-based positions or part-time jobs as a cloud engineer. Some choose to work as a consultant and others like freelancer where you as a cloud engineer can choose your own assignments and clients.
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future prospects
cloud engineer is a good career for those who want strong opportunities to advance further or take on more specialized roles within IT. Many companies and organizations make extensive use of cloud services, which has led to a high demand for cloud engineers. There is a significant need for specialist roles, such as cloud architects or cloud administrators. It is also possible to work in a consulting role as a cloud engineer, or to obtain a supervisory or managerial position.
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benefits of finding a job as a cloud engineer via randstad
There are many advantages to finding an open job as a cloud engineer through Randstad.
- different development and career opportunities
- an experienced contact person who can assist you when needed
- many open jobs in your area
- full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Do you want a permanent position as a cloud engineer? A temporary position or substitute job as a cloud engineer is often a good first step towards a permanent job. Those who have work experience as a cloud engineer are also more likely to be considered for other roles. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers thanks to a temporary job that has gone through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.
education and qualifications as a cloud engineer.
There are several ways to train as a cloud engineer:
- College/university: An IT-related education at college and university level provides a good foundation for those who want to learn programming and work as a cloud engineer. It also offers good prospects for your future career if you aim to be promoted to more responsible roles. In such cases, academic qualifications often carry significant weight.
- Vocational university: There are vocational higher education courses for programmers, whether you want to work with backend, frontend, or cloud services. There are both longer and more intensive courses to take, and it is possible to study remotely for those who wish to do so.
- Private education: There are also examples of private courses, at private schools, where you learn the basics to be able to work as a cloud engineer.
- Internal training: Some companies hire cloud engineers who do not have much experience or programming skills, but who have talent and are willing to learn. As part of the concept, you receive paid training from the employer and then continue working at the same company. This way, you combine theory with practice, while also gaining work experience.
- Internship: Gaining practical experience is valuable, and many courses include practical elements that give you a taste of working life. Having an internship will be an advantage when you apply for a permanent job as a cloud engineer.
knowledge and skills.
To become a successful cloud engineer, you need to have the following knowledge and skills:
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coding and technical skills
As a cloud engineer, it is necessary to have good knowledge of programming and various coding languages to be able to create different applications. Learning more coding languages improves career opportunities. You also need technical skills to be able to manage cloud-based services and applications.
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teamwork
Being a team player and having the ability to collaborate with others is important to become a successful cloud engineer because in this role you will work with your colleagues to optimize the final product. This is a requirement since many are specialized in different areas of the process and to achieve a good final result, cooperation between different specialists is needed. Being a good team player allows you to discuss problems, find solutions together, receive criticism, and learn from your colleagues.
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problem-solving skills
In the role of cloud engineer, you will encounter many different problems related to the development or maintenance of cloud services. Having strong problem-solving skills and being good at troubleshooting is therefore highly valuable.
frequently asked questions about the role of cloud engineer.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about working as a cloud engineer.
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what does a cloud engineer do?
A cloud engineer develops, maintains, and monitors cloud-based services. In many cases, you work as a cloud engineer at an IT company, but some large companies in various industries hire their own cloud engineers to manage the company's cloud services.
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how much does a cloud engineer earn?
As a cloud engineer at entry level, you earn on average between 35,000 and 45,000 kronor per month. At a more senior level, as a cloud engineer you can earn between 45,000 and 65,000 kronor per month. There are several factors that affect the salary and often individual salary setting applies.
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what education is required to become a cloud engineer?
There are no specific educational requirements to become a cloud engineer, but strong technical skills, basic knowledge of programming languages, and a very good ability to code are needed to be successful. We have written about the most common educational paths under education.
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how do I apply for a job as a cloud engineer?
It's easy to apply for a job as a cloud engineer. Search among our open jobs in your area. Then submit your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn.
If you need help with your job application, you can read all our job tips here!
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