DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineer (or simply devops) is a specialist who participates in all stages of the product life cycle, ensures close cooperation between development teams to optimize their work processes and, as a result, helps to reduce the hour in which a software product will reach the end user.
It should be noted that DevOps is not a position, but the name of a methodology (short for development + operations). The DevOps methodology is aimed at ensuring effective interaction between developers and end users of the product and optimizing all processes of the software life cycle.
DevOps engineers are divided into several categories by areas of work, but mostly it is additional or in-depth knowledge in a separate area that gives advantages to a specialist in choosing his specialization in a project. Here are the categories of DevOps engineers:
- DevOps Evangelist. This DevOps role is designed to contribute to improving the existing product architecture. Evangelist is a leader responsible for the implementation of DevOps practices. This responsibility also includes monitoring development and deployment.
- Release manager. A DevOps engineer manages the coordination of work on a product from development to deployment. As a release manager, this specialist integrates new features into the existing framework and ensures product stability after release.
- Automation expert. Such specialists are also called integration specialists. Such an expert understands what can be automated and how one stack can fit into another stack. Aligning tools or using automation tools is also the responsibility of the automation expert.The role of software developer and tester refers to those who develop software and write code and then test what has been created QA.
- Engineer or engineer responsible for product quality. This task involves comprehensive testing and analysis to identify all possible weaknesses and gaps in the customer experience. These experts also ensure that the product meets all quality requirements.
- Monitoring product performance and implementing security measures is a critical role for a DevOps engineer. They work directly with developers to implement all possible security measures as early as possible.
Typical responsibilities of a system administrator:
- continuous code delivery (build, test and deployment);
- configuration and deployment of infrastructure (more often using code);
- automation of all product life cycle processes;
- configuration of cloud services, networks and connections between them;
- monitoring and centralized logging;
- safety of everything on the project.
Our students study specialized and selective disciplines that provide theoretical foundations and practical skills for working with software products of various profiles, and also study modern programming languages PHP, Python, Bash, Java, C++. Knowledge and practical skills in specialized disciplines enable future specialists to work with IT equipment, configure servers, storage systems and monitor network devices; gain experience in system administration, including experience managing operating systems such as Linux or Windows, and have skills in working with cloud environments.
Skills required for work:
- Basic principles of software development
DevOps must have a good understanding of the stages of the software development process: from drawing up a business plan and writing code to releasing and delivering the application to users. He also needs to understand the principles of the IT team, functions, goals and tasks of its members, know different approaches to the organization of the development process (Scrum, Kanban), have a flexible development methodology (Agile), etc. - Programming languages
Solid knowledge of various programming languages - PHP, Python, Perl and Ruby. At least one major programming language, such as C++. To effectively test other people’s code and write your own code for infrastructure, scripts and applications, a DevOps engineer must be proficient in modern programming languages. The most needed for this profession now are Python, Go, C#, Bash, Java, Kotlin, Golang. - Networks, containers, operating systems
System administration skills, including experience managing operating systems such as Linux or Windows. Sufficient experience with IT equipment, configuring servers, storage systems and monitoring network devices (via Nagios and Raygun). One of the key skills of such a specialist is understanding the principle of operation of networks, containers, architecture and operating systems. That is, “devops” must have a direct idea of the environment of deployment of programs and applications. As a rule, he is familiar with all modern OSes at least at the initial level and has deep knowledge of the Linux or Windows system. - Continuous integration and software deployment (CI/CD)
Working knowledge of automation tools and technologies such as Puppet, Chef, Jenkins, Ansible, Kubernetes, Docker, Nagios and Infrastructure as a Code. A very relevant methodology for “devops”, with the help of which you can significantly speed up the development and release of software, as well as ensure more stable operation. CI/CD allows you to automate a number of IT development processes: from code integration in the repository to launch in production. - TestingA DevOps specialist must have up-to-date approaches to code testing, know how different types of testing are performed, use appropriate tools, etc. This includes mastering the skills of testing infrastructure code and automating these processes. Using source code management (Version Control System), for example, using GIT. Knowledge of task management software such as Jira, Trello or Gemini.Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues in test and production environments.
- Cloud technologies and version control
In addition, modern cloud solutions and tools, as well as software code version control systems (Git, etc.) should belong to the field of “devops” knowledge. Knowledge and ability to work with Cloud Automation for DevOps (platforms like Azure, AWS, GCP, Alibaba, etc.). - technical English.
Where do DevOps engineers work?
A DevOps engineer is a trendy and in-demand IT specialty that is at the intersection of development, testing, administration, and management. It arose as a result of the development of the methodology of the same name, which is aimed at continuous execution and automation of key stages of software development. Devops helps IT teams and companies to accelerate the release of products, minimize the number of errors and defects, recover systems faster after failures, automate routine processes and tasks, and also improve the quality of support and user service. DevOps is considered one of the most valuable and highly paid professions in the labor market.