Cloud Engineer: Facts, Skills, and Next Paths

A Cloud Engineer designs, deploys, and manages cloud infrastructure to keep applications running reliably and securely. Day-to-day work includes provisioning virtual machines, configuring networks, setting up CI/CD pipelines, and automating operational tasks with scripting languages like Python or R.

Core responsibilities span cloud engineering, operations, and maintenance across platforms such as Azure, AWS, and GCP—often supporting application migrations and ensuring compliance with security standards (e.g., Azulo federal civilian agency support). The role sits within engineering teams and collaborates with account executives and portfolio teams to develop scalable go-to-market strategies (Cisco Federal Cloud + AI Infrastructure). Concrete tasks include acting as the primary Azure contact for cloud and on-premises infrastructure operations (Leidos for FTC), and designing end-to-end generative AI solutions for enterprise-scale systems (Booz Allen Hamilton).

The median salary for a Cloud Engineer is approximately $151,818. The most frequently requested skills in current job postings are Cloud Platforms (90%), Cloud Infrastructure (60%), Python or R (60%), Agile/Scrum (50%), DevOps (50%), Compliance (50%), Network Administration (50%), and CI/CD (50%).