Cloud computing powers nearly every modern business, and cloud engineers are among the most in-demand tech professionals. This guide explains how to become a cloud engineer, from the fundamentals to your first job.
What does a cloud engineer do?
Cloud engineers design, build, secure and operate infrastructure on platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Daily work may include provisioning servers and networks, automating deployments with Infrastructure as Code, managing containers, monitoring performance and controlling costs. Mastering these fundamentals is the foundation of how to become a cloud engineer.
Core skills you need
- Linux fundamentals — command line, permissions, processes Following this path is a practical answer to how to become a cloud engineer while working full-time.
- Networking — IP addressing, DNS, subnets, load balancers, VPNs
- One major cloud platform — start with AWS, Azure or GCP
- Infrastructure as Code — Terraform or CloudFormation
- Scripting — Python or Bash
- CI/CD — GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins
- Containers — Docker and Kubernetes
- Security — IAM, encryption, least privilege, compliance basics
Best certifications for cloud engineers
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner — beginner foundation
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate — one of the most requested cloud certifications
- Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Google Associate Cloud Engineer
- HashiCorp Terraform Associate
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
A step-by-step path
1. Learn the fundamentals (1–2 months)
Linux, networking and basic scripting.
2. Pick a cloud and earn an associate cert (2–3 months)
Use the free tier to practice hands-on, not just watch videos.
3. Build real projects (ongoing)
- Host a static website with a CDN and custom domain
- Deploy a containerized app with a CI/CD pipeline
- Write Terraform to build a VPC, subnets and an autoscaling group
- Set up monitoring and cost alerts
4. Get your first role
Common entry titles include cloud support associate, junior cloud engineer, DevOps engineer I, systems administrator and NOC engineer. IT support professionals often move into cloud roles internally.
Career path and growth
Cloud engineers commonly progress to senior cloud engineer, DevOps/SRE, cloud security engineer, and cloud architect. Architects design multi-account environments, governance and policy-as-code at enterprise scale.
Resume tips for cloud roles
List cloud services and tools explicitly (e.g., “AWS: EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, Lambda; Terraform; GitHub Actions”). Recruiters and applicant tracking systems search for these exact keywords — see resume keywords.
Beginner cloud projects that impress hiring managers
- Static website with CI/CD: host on S3 or Azure Storage with a CDN, custom domain, HTTPS and automatic deploys from GitHub.
- Three-tier app with Terraform: VPC, public and private subnets, load balancer, autoscaling group and a managed database — all in code.
- Serverless API: API Gateway, Lambda and DynamoDB with logging and alarms.
- Kubernetes deployment: containerize an app and deploy it to a managed Kubernetes cluster with Helm.
- Cost and security guardrails: budgets, alerts, IAM least-privilege roles and a policy that blocks public storage buckets.
Document each project with an architecture diagram, the problem it solves and what you learned. These make excellent interview talking points.
Interview topics to prepare
Expect questions on networking (CIDR, routing, DNS), IAM, high availability, disaster recovery, Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD pipelines, monitoring and cost optimization. Be ready to walk through a design on a whiteboard and explain trade-offs.
How to become a cloud engineer: key takeaways
Here is a quick recap of how to become a cloud engineer to save or share:
- Learn Linux, networking and scripting before diving into a cloud platform.
- Earn an associate-level certification and practice hands-on in the free tier.
- Build projects with Terraform, CI/CD and containers to prove your skills.
- List specific cloud services on your resume so recruiters can find you.
For official labor-market data and more career research, see the AWS Certification and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ready to put this into practice? Make sure your resume matches every job you apply for with the HiReXL ATS Resume Optimizer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I become a cloud engineer without a degree?
Yes. Many cloud engineers are hired based on certifications, hands-on projects and experience in IT support or system administration.
How long does it take to become a cloud engineer?
With consistent study, a career changer can become job-ready for an entry-level cloud role in roughly 6 to 12 months.
Which cloud should I learn first?
AWS has the largest market share and the most job postings, making it a common first choice, but Azure and GCP are also strong options.
Changing jobs? Get past the ATS first.
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