Gone are the days when businesses had to have rooms dedicated to their IT infrastructure. Today, cloud computing lets them leverage remote servers to store and process data efficiently with minimal physical hardware.
Considering its benefits, it’s no surprise that cloud computing rapidly became a hundred-billion-dollar industry within a few decades. With it are various specialized professional roles working on harnessing the technology’s full potential. Understanding these cloud computing roles is essential for any organization or individual looking to thrive in this dynamic industry.
What Is Cloud Computing?
What Is Cloud Computing?Cloud computing delivers tech services, such as storage, processing power, and software, over the Internet without local hardware infrastructure. As a result, businesses avoid the cost and hassle of buying and maintaining on-premise servers and data centers.
How does it work? Cloud computing utilizes a network of servers to handle data. Cloud service companies, such as Amazon Web Service (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, and other providers, house these servers in their data centers around the world. Then, users access their cloud-based services online and on demand.
A striking benefit of cloud computing is it enhances operational agility. Organizations can quickly deploy new services and respond to changing market conditions by utilizing as much computing power as they need. It has also helped democratize access to tech. Small to mid-sized enterprises are using the cloud to access services that were once only available to large companies at a fraction of the cost.
What Are the Different Roles in Cloud Computing?
Let’s look at some cloud-related roles to help you understand who to hire to handle your operations in the cloud.
1. Cloud architect
Architects design and manage cloud infrastructure and strategy. They also plan solutions, ensure alignment with company requirements, and oversee deployments and ongoing management of cloud-based services. As such, they possess strong analytical skills and in-depth network and database management knowledge.
Since cloud architects commonly work with tools deployment and management tools from Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, they have certifications proving their capability to work with them, such as:
2. Cloud developer
If you need people to design, develop, and deploy applications running in the cloud, look for cloud developers. They build applications from the ground up and ensure your organization’s tech scalability. Of course, since cloud developers work with code, they’re proficient in common programming languages like Python and JavaScript.
Each cloud service provider has a proprietary software development kit (SDK) to integrate your apps into the cloud environment. For example, Amazon utilizes AWS SDK for JavaScript for apps using JavaScript. Hence, your software developer should have an AWS Certified Developer certification validating their skills in working with Amazon’s SDK. The same goes for other providers.
3. Cloud engineer
A cloud engineer manages, maintains, and supports the entire cloud infrastructure. They work with architects to ensure your apps’ efficient and secure operations. More specifically, they’re knowledgeable about Azure Monitor, Google Cloud Operations Suite, and other cloud management and monitoring tools.
Naturally, you expect them to be knowledgeable in data networking, security, and visualization, so consider those certified in Azure Administrator Associates or Google Associate Cloud Engineers.
4. Cloud software engineer
Like developers, cloud software engineers also build cloud-based apps from scratch. What differentiates them is scope.
Engineers focus on the project’s big-picture strategy and collaborate with other departments to ensure it’s compatible with the rest of your company’s software systems. Software engineers are familiar with continuous integration and continuous development (CI/CD) pipelines and have strong programming skills.
Many also have DevOps certificates from Linux, Amazon, or Microsoft and experience working with version control systems and CI/CD tools.
5. Cloud security specialist
As their name suggests, cloud security specialists focus on protecting cloud-based applications and infrastructure. They develop and implement policies, handle breaches, and ensure compliance with security standards.
Given their work’s high-stakes nature, they usually possess credentials with reputable cloud security organizations like ICS2’s Certified Cloud Security Professionals. They also have experience using industry-standard data protection tools like the IBM Security QRadar.
6. Cloud data engineer
Data engineers build and maintain data architectures within cloud environments. They’re responsible for extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL) data—combining data from multiple sources to a single, centralized databank—and ensuring it’s clean and ready for analytics and reporting.
They handle large chunks of data, meaning they’re proficient in related warehousing tools like Apache Spark and Amazon Redshift. It also helps if they have specialized credentials to validate their skills in handling big data, including:
7. Cloud data scientist
Data scientists have more expansive scopes than data engineers. They analyze large datasets in the cloud to generate insights and use them to inform business decisions. They also seek and implement ways to streamline this process by building and deploying machine learning models to handle big data and create visualizations for stakeholder interpretation.
Data scientists must have solid analytical and statistical skills, considering the amount of information they handle. Many also have data science-related certifications and credentials showcasing their talents in machine learning frameworks and other data competencies, like IBM Certified Data Scientist and Machine Learning Professional Certificate.
8. Cloud DevOps engineer
Like cloud engineers, DevOps engineers bridge the gap between development and operations—hence their name—by implementing CI/CD pipelines and monitoring cloud apps and services. Besides those, they’re also responsible for automating infrastructure to streamline data integration throughout the organization. Expertise in infrastructure as code (IaC) is also essential.
Cloud DevOps engineers commonly work with tools like AWS CodePipeline and possess certifications in related achievements, such as Google Cloud DevOps Engineer.
9. Cloud network engineer
These professionals are in charge of your cloud network—designing, implementing, and managing it to ensure reliable performance and security. As such, they’re trained in network design and cybersecurity, with specialized experience in cloud infrastructure. Their commonly used programs include virtual private clouds and network monitoring tools like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor.
At the same time, competent network engineers typically have verifiable credentials, like a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification.
10. Cloud support specialist
You’ll need someone to provide internal and external technical support for cloud services and applications. Luckily, a cloud support specialist can help out. They assist users with troubleshooting issues and ensure your cloud-based infrastructure’s seamlessness.
Aside from problem-solving and cloud-related skills, it’s also crucial for support specialists to be skilled in customer support processes. They should be able to explain technical details to laypeople and provide actionable instructions when resolving issues.
A general cloud-related credential, such as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, proves the support specialist’s troubleshooting skills. That said, more specialized certifications are always a plus. They’re also familiar with customer service tools like Zendesk.
5 Tips for Hiring Cloud Professionals
Now that you’re familiar with typical cloud-related roles, how do you recruit professionals to fill them for your business?
1. Identify your business needs
What cloud services do you require: Data management? Infrastructure improvement? Security? Considering your needs will help you determine the types of professionals necessary for your organization. In effect, you can streamline your recruitment process and attract candidates with the exact skills and experience required for the role and its responsibilities.
2. Understand each role and their responsibilities
Knowing the different roles within cloud computing and what they do will help you identify who you require. Our list above helps, but several more might be more fit for your business needs. For instance, you could hire a digital skills officer to train existing IT staff to work with cloud-based systems.
3. Know the certifications needed for each role
Certifications validate a candidate’s knowledge and expertise in specific areas of cloud computing. Familiarize yourself with those relevant for each role; most will have credentials from Amazon, Google, or Microsoft, considering they’re some of the largest cloud providers. However, established companies like Cisco, IBM, and Linux also provide reputable certifications.
4. Make sure cloud professionals are adequately compensated
You likely want to hire top talent with in-depth knowledge of different cloud-based systems for various providers. However, it also means you must be ready to pay them fairly for their skills. Research compensation trends in your area to ensure your offers align with the market. In doing so, you encourage more competent professionals to apply.
5. Augment your search with a recruitment agency
Having trouble finding capable candidates to fill your roles? Consider partnering with a software developer recruitment agency. They streamline your hiring process by giving you access to a wider pool of candidates while you focus on your core business activities. They’re also in charge of pre-screening jobseekers to ensure you find the right cloud professionals.
Strengthen Your IT Operations with a Cloud Computing Team
Building a team of cloud professionals is critical to your long-term success and growth, especially as cloud technology penetrates countless industries. Having the right people ensures your company reaps the advantages of cloud-based resources and stays ahead of the competition.
So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to Manila Recruitment, a premier recruitment agency in the Philippines, for assistance with recruiting, offshoring, or outsourcing top talent. Our team can help you find the best cloud professionals to catapult your business to greater heights.
Contact us today to learn more.
Passionate about promoting the ingenuity of Filipino talent, Arvin is a sought-after resource person in the field of career development. He regularly delivers keynote speeches and conducts workshops throughout the Philippines, sharing his insights and strategies for improving employability and promotability.
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