Career guide

Cloud Engineer career guide

Design, build and run systems on AWS, Azure or Google Cloud.

What does a cloud engineer do?

A cloud engineer designs, deploys and operates systems on cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, covering compute, storage, networking, identity and cost.

Most cloud engineers specialise in one provider first. The core concepts carry over, so a second provider is much faster to learn.

Typical responsibilities

Deploy and manage cloud infrastructure and services
Design networking, identity and access controls
Automate infrastructure with code
Monitor performance, availability and cost
Plan migrations from on-premises systems
Apply security and backup best practices

Skills you need

Technical skills

Core services of one cloud provider (compute, storage, networking)
Identity and access management
Virtual networks and security groups
Infrastructure as code
Linux and scripting
Cost management
High availability and disaster recovery design

Soft skills

Architecture thinking
Cost awareness
Clear documentation
Working with application teams

Tools and technologies

AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud console and CLI
Terraform
Linux
Python or PowerShell
Docker
Cloud monitoring tools

Certifications

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Beginner
Microsoft
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateIntermediate
AWS
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)Intermediate
Microsoft
Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerIntermediate
Google Cloud

Certifications are optional for most roles; skills and projects matter more. Providers retire and rename exams regularly, so check the provider's website before you register. Last reviewed October 2026.

Cloud Engineer salary

We only publish salary ranges based on verified data, and we don't have a reliable source for this role yet. Meanwhile, if you have an offer or a target CTC, work out what you would actually take home.

In-hand salary calculator Salary hike calculator

Career path

Step 1
Cloud Support Associate
Step 2
Cloud Engineer
Step 3
Senior Cloud Engineer
Step 4
Cloud Architect
Step 5
Principal Architect or Head of Cloud

Titles and the time between steps vary by company and individual.

Your first 90 days of learning

First 30 days

Cloud fundamentals

Choose one provider and learn its core services
Learn identity and access management and least privilege
Deploy a simple web app on a virtual machine

Days 31-60

Networking and automation

Build a virtual network with public and private subnets
Rebuild your setup with Terraform
Set up monitoring, alerts and a cost budget

Days 61-90

Architecture and certification

Design a highly available two-tier application
Take practice tests for an associate-level certification
Document your architecture with a diagram and the trade-offs

Interview preparation

Common topics to prepare for cloud engineer interviews. These are preparation areas, not questions from a specific company's interview.

Core compute, storage and networking services
Designing for high availability
Identity and access management
Public vs private subnets and security groups
Controlling cloud costs
Migrating an on-premises application

Company interview guides Take the aptitude assessment Practice questions

Resume guidance

Name the provider and the services you worked with
Describe architectures you built and the requirements they met
Quantify cost or reliability improvements only where accurate
List certifications with the year earned

Is your resume ready for cloud engineer roles?

Upload your resume to check ATS readiness, matched keywords and what to improve.