Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer

a guide to: Career

What is a Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer?

A DevOps Engineer bridges software development and IT operations, automating, integrating, and managing deployment pipelines, infrastructure, and monitoring systems to ensure continuous delivery, faster releases, and reliable, scalable, and secure software systems in modern development environments.

Why is a Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer important?

DevOps Engineers are crucial for accelerating time-to-market and enhancing system stability. They implement automation, foster collaboration, and ensure fast, reliable, and secure software releases, driving business value.

Faster Delivery:
Automates pipelines (CI/CD) for quicker, more efficient software releases.
Improved Reliability:
Ensures stable, consistent systems with minimal downtime and deployment errors.
Better Collaboration:
Bridges the gap between development and operations teams for smoother workflows.
Enhanced Security:
Integrates automated security checks early in the pipeline — embracing DevSecOps best practices.

DevOps Engineers are essential for digital transformation—combining coding, automation, and operations expertise to enable agile development, rapid innovation, and stable, secure, and efficient production environments.

Education Pathways

Option 01

  • 10th Class

    after

  • 10+2

    in the Science Stream

  • Pursue a Bachelor’s degree

    in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering

  • Pursue a Master’s (M.Tech/M.S)

    in Cloud Computing, DevOps, or Systems Engineering

  • Relevant certifications

    AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert, Google Professional DevOps Engineer, Docker Certified Associate, Kubernetes (CKA/CKAD), Jenkins, Terraform, GitLab CI/CD

Stream
Important Subjects
# Subject
1 Linux/Unix Fundamentals – Mastering command line and system administration is essential for managing infrastructure.
2 Cloud Computing – Expertise in major platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP for building scalable and flexible infrastructure.
3 CI/CD Tools – Implementing automated build, test, and deployment pipelines using tools such as Jenkins or GitLab CI.
4 Programming/Scripting – Automating workflows and developing utilities using Python, Bash, or Go.
5 Containerization – Managing and deploying applications efficiently using Docker and Kubernetes.
6 Infrastructure as Code (IaC) – Provisioning and managing infrastructure using tools like Terraform and Ansible.
7 Version Control – Collaborating and managing code changes with Git and platforms like GitHub or GitLab.
8 Configuration Management – Automating server configuration and deployments with Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
9 Monitoring and Logging – Setting up tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK Stack to track performance and troubleshoot issues.
10 Networking – Understanding network protocols, connectivity, and performance optimization for distributed systems.
11 Security (DevSecOps) – Integrating automated security checks and best practices throughout the CI/CD pipeline.
12 Database Management – Managing SQL and NoSQL databases for application performance, reliability, and data integrity.
Where to study?
SRM Institute of Science & Technology VIT University IISc Bangalore BITS Pilani PSG College of Technology IISc Bangalore NIT Surathkal TKM College of Engineering, Kollam
Career Progression for a Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer

Qualification Levels:

  • B.Tech/B.E. for entry roles; M.Tech or certifications add advantage.
  • CAD/CAE proficiency and internship experience essential.

Role Levels & Growth:

  • Design Trainee / Junior Engineer – Create models, drawings, assist senior engineers.
  • Design Engineer – Handle full product/component design and analysis.
  • Senior Design Engineer – Lead design projects, perform simulations, review prototypes.
  • Lead / Project Engineer – Oversee design teams, manage clients, ensure design integrity.
  • Design Manager / Technical Manager – Strategic planning, design optimization, cost control.
  • Chief Engineer / R&D Head / Product Head – Direct company-wide design innovation.

Further Opportunities:

  • R&D, product innovation, simulation analysis, or design consultancy.
  • Move to project management or operations leadership roles.
  • Entrepreneurship — start design studios or manufacturing consultancies.
  • Academia and research in design technologies or advanced CAD/CAE.
  • Entrepreneurship: start up a corrosion consultancy, inspection firm, materials/coatings business.
Expected Salary

Entry Level

  • ₹3 - ₹6 LPA

Mid-Level

  • ₹7.0 - ₹15.0 LPA

Senior Level

  • ₹15.0 - ₹25.0 LPA

International

Entry Level

  • $50,000 - $70,000 per annum

Mid/Senior Level

  • $70,000 - $160,000 per annum
Sectors Offering
  • Automotive & Aerospace: Vehicle systems, engines, aircraft components, and propulsion design.
  • Manufacturing & Industrial Equipment: Tools, machines, robotics, and automation systems.
  • Civil & Structural Engineering: Mechanical design support for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure.
  • Electronics & Electrical Systems: PCB enclosures, power systems, and mechatronic design integration.
  • Energy & Renewable Sector: Turbines, solar panels, power plants, and energy-efficient systems.
  • Consumer Products / Industrial Design: Appliances, packaging, ergonomic and sustainable product design.
  • Oil & Gas / Petrochemical: Plant layout, piping, and pressure vessel design and optimization.
  • Marine & Offshore: Ship hulls, rigs, and offshore structural design for durability and performance.
  • Defense & Space: Military vehicles, aerospace structures, satellites, and mission-critical components.
  • Research & Consulting: Product R&D, innovation, simulation, and design testing services.

Design by Find Right Path