Occupation intelligence

Cloud DevOps Engineer

Snapshot

Cloud DevOps engineers implement and manage continuous software delivery systems and methodologies. This includes managing and configuring code repositories, build services, automated testing, and deployment mechanisms. For cloud-based workloads, a Cloud DevOps Engineer define and deploy infrastructure as code, automating test and development environments. They can define and configure automated disaster recovery solutions that meet business objectives.

Summary

Cloud DevOps engineers are vital in modern software development, bridging the gap between development and operations teams. Your work focuses on automating and optimizing the software release lifecycle, particularly within cloud environments. You'll leverage infrastructure as code, automated testing, and continuous delivery pipelines to ensure rapid, reliable, and repeatable deployments. This role requires a strong understanding of both development practices and operational infrastructure.

Key responsibilities
  • • Managing and configuring code repositories and build services.
  • • Automating testing and deployment processes using DevOps tools and methodologies.
  • • Defining and deploying infrastructure as code for cloud-based workloads.
Labour market
Shortage in Ireland and 12 more countries
ELA/EURES 2025
Industry
Digital Technology
Education
Bachelor's or equivalent level
43%
Resilience Score · 2026 (Higher is better)
Bachelor's or equivalent level 47% AI exposure · 2026
Labour market

Where this occupation is in demand

Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.

Shortage reportedSurplus reportedReported in another yearNot covered by this source

Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.

Figures cover Information and communications technology professionals — 75 jobs including this one.

13 of 17 in shortage2025All 30 growing3.7Mopenings to 2035

In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia and 9 more.

Longest-running shortage: Czechia, 4 years.

Select a place on the map to see its figures.

About this source›

Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.

What these words mean

The four things this section reports

Reported demand
Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
Where it is heading
Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
Openings
Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
Typical pay
What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.

A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.

Which way the market leans for you

In your favour
More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
Balanced
Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
Competitive
More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
Mixed evidence
Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.

Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.

How this job compares with other jobs in the same country

Strong
Among the strongest in that country
Good
Stronger than most jobs in that country
Mixed
About typical for that country
Weak
Weaker than most jobs in that country

This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.

Where these come from

Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.

None of this predicts one person's chances. It describes a market.

Explore More

Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.

Quick fit check

Could cloud DevOps engineer fit you?

Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.

Progress0/3

Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?

NexFuture™

Future Outlook for cloud DevOps engineer

The outlook for cloud DevOps engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future
How could cloud DevOps engineer change as AI adoption grows?

This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 13 years (around 2039) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
~40%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP~50%
Human advantage
MOAT~45%

Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.

2026
2033
2044
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 43% Human-owned

What still depends on people

  • automate cloud tasks
  • design for organisational complexity
  • manage disaster recovery plans
The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on cloud monitoring and reporting and cloud security and compliance. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 27% Assist

Where AI may become a co-pilot

  • implement cloud security and compliance
  • plan migration to cloud
  • do cloud refactoring
Automate 47% Automate

Tasks most exposed to automation

  • manage cloud data and storage
Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs & AI Vectors

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
AI / Machine Learning 27%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Generative AI 6%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Cognitive Software 1%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v3.0 Sources: O*NET® 30.3, ESCO v1.2.1 Updated: Sep 2026

NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.

Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Digital Technology

Day in the life

A typical day as a cloud DevOps engineer

09
09:00 · Morning
automate cloud tasks
Automate manual or repeatable processes to minimize management overhead. Evaluate cloud automation alternatives for network deployments and tool-based alternatives for network operations and management.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
deploy cloud resource
Identify and execute steps required to provision cloud resources, such as networks, servers, storage, applications, GPUs, and services. Define the cloud global infrastructure and remediate deployment issues.
12
12:00 · Midday
design cloud architecture
Design a multi-tier cloud architecture solution, which tolerates faults and is fit for the workload and other business needs. Identify elastic and scalable computing solutions, select high-performing and scalable storage solutions, and choose high-performing database solutions. Identify cost-effective storage, computing, and database services in the cloud.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
design cloud networks
Apply cloud networking concepts and implement connectivity services of cloud. Given customer requirements, define network architectures on cloud, propose optimized designs based on the evaluation of an existing implementation. Evaluate and optimize cost allocations given a network design, its cloud resources, and application data flow.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
design database in the cloud
Apply design principles for an adaptive, elastic, automated, loosely coupled databases making use of cloud infrastructure. Aim to remove any single point of failure through distributed database design.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
design for organisational complexity
Determine cross-account authentication and access strategy for complex organizations (for example, an organization with varying compliance requirements, multiple business units, and varying scalability requirements). Design networks and multi-account cloud environments for complex organizations.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Skills & knowledge

What you need to do this work

The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.

Essential skills
designing ict systems or applications
  • design cloud architecture

    Design a multi-tier cloud architecture solution, which tolerates faults and is fit for the workload and other business needs. Identify elastic and scalable computing solutions, select high-performing and scalable storage solutions, and choose high-performing database solutions. Identify cost-effective storage, computing, and database services in the cloud.

  • design cloud networks

    Apply cloud networking concepts and implement connectivity services of cloud. Given customer requirements, define network architectures on cloud, propose optimized designs based on the evaluation of an existing implementation. Evaluate and optimize cost allocations given a network design, its cloud resources, and application data flow.

  • design database in the cloud

    Apply design principles for an adaptive, elastic, automated, loosely coupled databases making use of cloud infrastructure. Aim to remove any single point of failure through distributed database design.

programming computer systems
  • do cloud refactoring

    Optimise application to best use cloud services and features, migrate existing application code to run on cloud infrastructure.

  • develop with cloud services

    Write code that interacts with cloud services by using APIs, SDKs, and cloud CLI. Write code for serverless applications, translate functional requirements into application design, implement application design into application code.

developing solutions
  • automate cloud tasks

    Automate manual or repeatable processes to minimize management overhead. Evaluate cloud automation alternatives for network deployments and tool-based alternatives for network operations and management.

  • design for organisational complexity

    Determine cross-account authentication and access strategy for complex organizations (for example, an organization with varying compliance requirements, multiple business units, and varying scalability requirements). Design networks and multi-account cloud environments for complex organizations.

working with computers
  • plan migration to cloud

    Select existing workloads and processes for potential migration to the cloud and choose migration tools. Determine a new cloud architecture for an existing solution, plan a strategy for migrating existing workloads to the cloud.

setting up computer systems
  • deploy cloud resource

    Identify and execute steps required to provision cloud resources, such as networks, servers, storage, applications, GPUs, and services. Define the cloud global infrastructure and remediate deployment issues.

developing contingency and emergency response plans
  • manage disaster recovery plans

    Prepare, test and execute, when necessary, a plan of action to retrieve or compensate lost information system data.

performing risk analysis and management
  • implement cloud security and compliance

    Implement and manage security policies and access controls on cloud. Differentiate between the roles and responsibilities within the shared responsibility model.

managing information
  • manage cloud data and storage

    Create and manage cloud data retention. Identify and implement data protection, encryption, and capacity planning needs.

resolving computer problems
  • implement ICT recovery system

    Create, manage and implement ICT system recovery plan in case of crisis in order to retrieve information and reacquire use of the system.

Knowledge areas & Software & Technologies
Knowledge areas
  • cloud monitoring and reporting

    The metrics and alarms utilizing cloud monitoring services, in particular performance and availability metrics.

  • cloud security and compliance

    Cloud security and compliance concepts, including shared responsibility model, cloud access management capabilities, and resources for security support.

  • cloud technologies

    The technologies which enable access to hardware, software, data and services through remote servers and software networks irrespective of their location and architecture.

  • DevOps

    The DevOps development approach is a methodology to design software systems and applications focused on the collaboration and between software programmers and other ICT professionals and automation.

  • ICT system programming

    The methods and tools required to develop system software, specifications of system architectures and interfacing techniques between network and system modules and components.

  • integrated development environment software

    The suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface, such as Visual Studio or Eclipse.

  • JavaScript

    The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in JavaScript.

  • Jenkins (tools for software configuration management)

    The tool Jenkins is a software program to perform configuration identification, control, status accounting and audit of software during its development and maintenance.

  • software frameworks

    The software development environments or tools used to improve the efficiency of new software development by providing specific features that support and guide the development.

  • Agile development

    The agile development model is a methodology to design software systems and applications.

Cross-sector skills
  • computer engineering
  • system backup best practice
Software & Technologies
Structured query language SQLAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignSASPythonRMicrosoft SQL ServerThe MathWorks MATLABIBM SPSS StatisticsSalesforce softwareMicrosoft Visual BasicAdobe Creative Cloud softwareOracle DatabaseOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementExtensible markup language XMLOracle PeopleSoftC++Hypertext markup language HTMLTableauOracle JavaESRI ArcGIS softwareJavaScriptTeradata DatabaseGoogle AnalyticsCAtlassian JIRAAdobe After EffectsZoomPerlMicrosoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAMarketo Marketing AutomationPHPAmazon Web Services AWS softwareMicrosoft Azure softwareMicrosoft TeamsTrimble SketchUp ProMySQLC#Eclipse IDESlack
Key traits you need
Attention to Detail Dependability Analytical Thinking Integrity Stress Tolerance Achievement/Effort Cooperation Persistence Initiative Adaptability/Flexibility Self-Control Independence Innovation Leadership Concern for Others Social Orientation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
How to qualify

Path to become a cloud DevOps engineer

What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.

Typical education level

Bachelor's or equivalent level

Study programmes

Real programmes leading to this occupation, by country.

Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development, Cloud Computing and DevOps

EQF 7 Good match No direct programme link available

Higher Diploma in DevOps and Data Analytics

EQF 6 Good match No direct programme link available

Postgraduate Diploma in Computing in DevOps

EQF 7 Good match No direct programme link available

Master of Science in Computing in DevOps

EQF 7 Good match No direct programme link available

Postgraduate Certificate in DevOps

EQF 7 Good match No direct programme link available

Master of Science in Computing in DevOps Research

EQF 7 Good match No direct programme link available

Graduate Diploma in DevOps and Continuous Software Engineering

EQF 7 Good match No direct programme link available

Award in DevOps (Computer Science)

EQF 7 Good match No direct programme link available
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

Career landscape

Where does cloud DevOps engineer fit?

This role
cloud DevOps engineer This role

Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What skills are most important for a cloud DevOps engineer?
Strong proficiency in cloud platforms (like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), scripting languages (Python, Bash), configuration management tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet), containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines is essential. Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation is also highly valuable.
How does this role differ from a traditional system administrator?
While system administrators traditionally manage infrastructure manually, a cloud DevOps engineer focuses on automating infrastructure management and the software delivery pipeline. DevOps emphasizes collaboration and continuous improvement, while system administration often focuses on maintaining existing systems.
Is this a good career path for someone transitioning from a development or operations background?
Absolutely! Developers can leverage their coding skills to automate deployments, while operations professionals can apply their infrastructure knowledge to build robust and automated systems. The combination of both skillsets is highly sought after in this field.
How much does Cloud DevOps Engineer pay in the United States?
$133,080 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $79,380 to $174,410. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.

Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated September 20, 2026 About our data