5 Key Skills That DevOps Engineers Need

A DevOps engineer is in the unique position to build a bridge between a company’s development and operations teams.

Their job is to foster a culture of collaboration by reducing the gap between each set of workers. DevOps is often spoken of as a methodology or a skillset.

If you’re interested to learn more about becoming a DevOps engineer, make sure you have these skills before applying:

1. Basics Fundamentals of Linux Scripting

Since its creation in 1991, Linux has served as the preferred open-source operating system. Its superior security ranks it higher than other popular operating systems.

Understanding scripting and the basic fundamentals of this operating system is essential to your role in DevOps.

2. Ability to Provide Continuous Delivery

Expect your role in DevOps to follow the pattern of planning, coding, building, testing, and revising. Once a finished product is released, the cycle continues.
Be ready to carry on the system of developing and testing before finally deploying and operating each new product, feature, and function. In order to do this, make sure you have the knowledge and skills needed, which can be refreshed via this “Introduction to Systemctl” link here: https://www.linode.com/docs/guides/introduction-to-systemctl/.

3. Develop Infrastructure as Code

One of the best practices in the DevOps role is the ability to develop infrastructure as code. This creates an infrastructure-less prone to errors. It’s more reliable and consistent.

Gone are the days of manually configured infrastructure and shell scripts. Keep up with new and rising practices of DevOps and be ready to grow and adapt as necessary.

4. Customer-First Mindset

Your role in DevOps will emphasize the customer’s needs first. By thinking first about what the needs and desires of the customer are, you will be able to maximize your feature output and production.

Nothing that does not emphasize and prioritize the customer should be entertained. Keeping the customer in mind first will guide and direct the output and production of your department. Keep cohesion and collaboration between development and operations with the common goal of keeping the customer in mind first.

5. Soft Skills

A successful DevOps Engineer requires a mix of both soft and hard skills.

This means not only understanding code but knowing the best ways to deliver it. You should know the tools to use and the best ways to test the latest features.

In working between teams, soft skills for DevOps include:

• Interpersonal Skills: Use clear and concise communication. Practice active listening and be sure you’re understanding each team member you speak with.
• Conflict Resolution: Have the ability to exercise empathy. Make the point to understand the perspective your team members are coming from to best resolve any issues.
• Assertiveness: Take ownership of your role and position. Know the goals and steps to accomplish them and assert yourself as a leader within your teams.
• Depersonalization: Maintain a positive attitude. Understand the tasks and goals as a part of the greater success of the company as a whole, not a reflection of yourself and your personal identity. Have the acute ability to take criticism graciously and learn from it.

DevOps Skills

If you’re ready to take your career in DevOps to the next level, be sure to mind these top skills in your new role.

By combining your understanding of the fundamentals of code with an acute set of developed soft skills, you’ll be ready to successfully manage the position of DevOps engineer.