Top 10 DevOps Engineer Skills in 2025

Are you prepared to take the plunge to something more thrilling than the generic role of software developer? A great option for you therefore is DevOps Engineers. There is an immense demand for DevOps engineers in recent years.

DevOps Engineers should have the right skills to facilitate reliable, safe, and expeditious software delivery, which lowers time-to-market and raises end-user satisfaction. Because of these advantages, DevOps Engineers are becoming essential for many top businesses. DevOps is also becoming a reality for even small and medium-sized businesses.  

But who is DevOps Engineer and what are the top DevOps engineer skills needed to become a successful DevOps Engineer? In this article, I will attempt to answer them. So, let’s get started! A DevOps Engineer is someone who has earned certification in DevOps courses. 

Who is a DevOps Engineer?

A DevOps engineer is a professional who specializes in the practice of DevOps. This practice focuses on the integration of development and operations tasks to streamline the software development process while maintaining high-quality standards.

A DevOps Engineer typically has a deep understanding of both Development and Operations processes and is able to work comfortably in both environments. In addition, he/she is typically well-versed in automation tools and practices, which can further speed up the software development process. You can check DevOps skills list must of DevOps engineers further below in this article.

Top 10 DevOps Engineer Skills

The role of a DevOps engineer is to manage an organization's application development and delivery process. They are responsible for ensuring that software changes are made in a controlled and coordinated manner. To be successful in this role, there are certain skills that a DevOps engineer must possess.

Source: qulix

1. Technical Skills Required for DevOps Engineers

The first and foremost DevOps engineer required skills involve strong technical skills. This includes having a good understanding of the following:

• Linux Fundamentals/Coding and Scripting Skills: DevOps engineers need to be well-versed in Linux in order to be able to set up and manage servers. They also need to know how to code and script, as this is often used for automating tasks.
• Automation Skills: The foundation of the DevOps skills process is automation, and these technical skills required for DevOps engineer are needed to be mastered to be referred to as an efficient DevOps engineer. Any DevOps engineer should be able to automate every step of the pipeline, from infrastructure and configurations to CI/CD cycles and app performance monitoring. Knowledge of DevOps tools, coding, and scripting is strongly related to the DevOps automation skill set. It's also critical to understand open-source automation tools like  Puppet, Chef, and Ansible.
• Cloud Skills: DevOps and cloud always go hand in hand. One's effectiveness is directly impacted by and dependent upon the other. The cloud gives a process the infrastructure it needs to execute tests, deploy, and release code, while the DevOps approach drives the process itself. Cloud enables resource monitoring and provides the necessary CI/CD toolkit for DevOps automation. Strong cloud computing abilities, including database and network administration, are essential DevOps engineer skill set to possess. They also need to be familiar with Microsoft Azure DevOps engineer skills, Google Cloud Platform (GPC), and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Security Skills: The rate of risks is frequently in line with the DevOps-facilitated deployment speed. This limitation means that the typical method's security at the end or as a separate process might not operate. DevSecOps has an edge in this regard since it integrates security with the SDLC from the outset. DevSecOps expertise will therefore be a benefit to success as a DevOps practitioner. Code analysis, change management, threat investigation, security training, and vulnerability assessment are a few of the DevOps engineer skills required.
• Testing Skills: The success of DevOps depends on testing. It is amongst the important skills needed for DevOps engineer. Tests that function flawlessly will be necessary for the DevOps automation pipeline. This is crucial for automated testing, which is done continuously. Automated test cases expedite the procedure and guarantee high-quality delivery to the end user. DevOps Engineers that are adept with testing technologies like Puppet, Chef, and Docker should also have expertise of virtualization. Along with knowing how to combine Jenkins with Selenium, they should also be able to run tests for a full DevOps automation pipeline.
• Technical Support and Maintenance Skills: As DevOps engineers are responsible for the upkeep of the systems, they need to have good technical support and maintenance skills. This includes being able to troubleshoot and fix problems as they arise.
• Coding and Scripting: A DevOps engineer should be proficient in both scripting and coding. Python, Java, Javascript, PHP, Bash, Shell, Ruby, and Node.js are amongst the most suggested programming languages in addition to other DevOps engineer skills and tools.  Even now, dedicated developers still use Lcl as one of their operating systems. DevOps engineers worldwide benefit from the abundance of freedom to function in this flexible environment. Linux will therefore surely be utilised at some point in the career of every DevOps engineer, even though not every developer uses it.

2. Communication and Collaboration Skills

In addition to strong technical skills, DevOps engineers also need to have good communication and collaboration skills. Developers, security experts, members of the operations team, and testers all agree that cooperation and communication are the most crucial abilities for a DevOps worker, even though they are seen as soft skills.
DevOps engineers need to be good communicators and team players. The teamwork of IT specialists and developers is the main focus of the DevOps practice. To dissolve team silos, match objectives with corporate goals, and establish a DevOps culture, it places a strong emphasis on the communication and teamwork skills of DevOps engineers.

3. Knowledge on Various DevOps Tools and Technologies

Success with DevOps depends a lot on the toolset used in its various implementation phases. Engineers should be familiar with a variety of DevOps tools, including version control, deployment automation, configuration management, continuous integration servers, and containers. In addition, they ought to be familiar with network protocols, monitoring and analytics, testing, and cloud quality tools. These are critical skills required for DevOps engineers.

• Source Code Management: The SCM tools are used to manage the source code of an application. They help to ensure that the code is stored in a central repository and that it is easy to track changes.
• Configuration Management: These tools are used to manage the configuration of an application. Their role is to ensure that the correct versions of the software are deployed and that the configurations are consistent across environments.
• Continuous Integration: Continuous integration tools are used to automatically build and test code changes. Their purpose is to ensure that code changes can be easily integrated into the main codebase and that they do not cause any problems.
• Continuous Testing: Continuous testing tools are used to automatically test code changes to ensure they meet the requirements and do not cause any problems.
• Continuous Monitoring: Continuous monitoring tools are used to automatically monitor systems and applications to identify problems early and prevent them from becoming major issues.
• Containerization: Containerization is a technique used to package an application so that it can be deployed quickly and easily. It is one of the technical skills required for DevOps engineers that is often done using containers such as Docker.

4. Learning Proactive Monitoring

As its name suggests, proactive monitoring is all about being proactive and taking steps to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. While reactive monitoring simply monitors systems for signs of trouble, proactive monitoring uses predictive analytics to identify potential issues before they happen.

By doing so, proactive monitoring can help to avoid outages and disruptions. In addition, proactive monitoring can help to improve the overall quality of service by preventing issues from ever happening in the first place, making it essential for DevOps engineer skills. A successful DevOps professional is one who possesses both passion and proactivity. 

5. Configuration and Version Management

DevOps engineers prioritize understanding customer needs and explaining technical concepts clearly. They also play a crucial role in tracking code changes for easy rollback if issues arise. This requires strong configuration and version control skills:

• Configuration Management: Ensures consistent environments across development teams.
• Version Management: Tracks code versions for easy rollback in case of problems.

6. Customer-Focused Approach

DevOps engineers succeed by prioritizing the customer. This means actively listening to their needs, explaining technical concepts clearly, and acting fast to resolve issues. They must also be adept at handling pressure and building strong customer relationships.

7. DevOps Engineer Soft Skills and Noble Thought

DevOps engineers work with others to resolve conflicts and build bridges between departments. They are able to think critically to solve problems quickly and efficiently. As a result, they are an essential part of any successful team.

DevOps Engineer Soft Skills and Noble Thought help create a more positive work environment. When everyone is working together towards a common goal, it creates a sense of unity and boosts morale. As a result, productivity increases, and everyone benefits.

8. Containerization Technologies

Docker and Kubernetes are popular containerization technologies that DevOps engineers can use to package and deploy applications in a consistent and portable way.

9. Non-functional DevOps skills

DevOps engineers need more than technical skills! They also need strong non-technical skills like communication, problem-solving, and monitoring to collaborate effectively, tackle challenges, and optimize performance.

10. Problem-Solving

DevOps engineers should know the ability to troubleshoot complex problems and identify the root cause of issues.

DevOps Training, Skills, and Certifications

Lean principles enable DevOps to optimise time and production costs; DevOps training and certification improves productivity and boosts your company's bottom line. I have explained in detail below how training and certification helps you gain the right DevOps engineer skills list. 

1) Getting the Basics Right: 

• Training: DevOps training begins with the basics, helping you understand the core idea of collaboration between software development and IT operations. 
• Certifications: Certifications at this level ensure you've grasped these fundamental concepts, laying the groundwork for more advanced learning. Before you learn other skills required to become a DevOps engineer, getting the basics right is important. 

2) Tools and Tech Learning: 

• Training: DevOps uses cool tools for automating tasks and making things run smoother. Training covers popular tools like Jenkins and Docker and technical skills for DevOps engineer. 
• Certifications: Certifications show you're a whiz with these tools. It's like having a badge that says you know your way around the DevOps toolbox. Credible training courses like DevOps Foundation certification teach you these tools in detail. 

3) Teamwork and Communication: 

• Training: DevOps is like a team sport. Training teaches you how to work together, share feedback, and break down the walls between different teams. Team work and Communication are key skills for DevOps engineer. 
• Certifications: Certifications might ask about your teamwork skills. It's like a stamp that says you're not just a tech geek but a team player. 

4) Real-World Skills: 

• Training: Learning by doing is key in DevOps training. You tackle hands-on projects that feel like real-world challenges to develop skills of a DevOps engineer.  
• Certifications: Certifications that include practical tests or want to see your project work make sure you can apply what you learned in the training to actual job situations. 

How to Develop DevOps Engineer Skills?

As a DevOps engineer, you will need to be well-versed in both development and operations to be successful. While there is no single approach to becoming a DevOps engineer, there are some key things that you can do to develop the necessary skills:

1. Practice, Practice, Practice

The best way to become proficient in anything is through practice. When it comes to learning how to code and test your DevOps engineer technical skills, the best way to practice is by working on real-world projects. There are many online resources that can help you find coding projects to work on. Once you have found a project that interests you, fork the repository and start working on it. As you work on the project, be sure to document your process so that you can reference it later.

2. Attend Industry Events and Workshops

In addition to practicing your coding skills, you will also need to be familiar with the various tools and technologies used in DevOps. The best way to learn about these tools is by attending industry events and workshops. Many of these events are free or low-cost, and they provide an excellent opportunity to learn from experts in the field and advance the skills of DevOps engineer.

3. Taking a Course

Taking a course is another great way to develop the skills needed to be a successful DevOps engineer. There is an expert-curated DevOps online training available that can teach you everything from the basics of coding to more advanced concepts such as containerization and orchestration.

No matter what approach you take, the important thing is to keep learning and practicing. By continuously expanding your knowledge, you will be able to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of DevOps and become a well-rounded engineer.

4. Earn a Degree or Certificate in Project Management

Earning a degree or certificate in project management can help you develop the DevOps engineer skills needed to be successful in DevOps. Project management is a critical component of DevOps, and having formal training will give you a significant advantage. There are many online and offline programs that offer degrees or certificates in project management. Many of these programs are offered by accredited institutions, so be sure to do your research before enrolling.

a. DevOps Foundation Certification: The DevOps Foundation Certificate is a great way to show employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in DevOps. The certification is offered by the DevOps Certification Board, and it requires passing an exam.

The exam covers a wide range of topics, including the basics of DevOps, culture and organizational change, automation, and monitoring. To prepare for the exam, you can use the resources provided by the certification board or take a DevOps Foundation course from an accredited provider like KnowledgeHut.

By earning the DevOps Foundation Certificate, you will be able to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and show employers that you are serious about pursuing a career in DevOps.

b. DevOps Certifications: There are many other DevOps-related certifications that you can earn, each of which covers a different area of expertise. Some of the most popular DevOps certifications include:

• Certified Agile Process Owner (CAPO)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Lean Kanban Management Professional (LKMP)

Each of these certifications requires key skills for DevOps engineer with a passing score, and they will all show your dedication to learning and professional development.

5. Joining a DevOps Community

DevOps community offers a great opportunity to meet other engineers and learn about the latest trends and technologies. Being active in a community will allow you to stay up-to-date on the latest DevOps news and learn from other engineers. Additionally, many communities offer opportunities to contribute to open-source projects, which is a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio.

6. Work Experience

While formal education and training are important, nothing can replace real-world experience. To be successful in DevOps, you need to have a deep understanding of the software development life cycle and the various tools and technologies used in the field. The best way to gain this experience is by working on projects that use the DevOps methodology.

Many companies are now using DevOps, so there are many opportunities to get involved. You can also look for internships or entry-level positions at companies that use DevOps. Working on projects will give you first-hand experience with the challenges and obstacles that you will face as a DevOps engineer. This experience will be invaluable as you develop your skills and knowledge.

Conclusion

I can say with confidence that more than just a technological fix, DevOps is a culture. It will benefit you more the more you comprehend. However, in order to succeed in the DevOps journey as a professional, business, or service provider, you must be adaptable, have a flexible operational model, and possess both hard and soft talents. 

The "perfect" skills required for DevOps engineer combines abilities and qualities that include strong hardware and network knowledge, a thorough understanding of both development and operations, competence with automation and configuration management tools, coding knowledge, cloud and containerization proficiency, and the ability to collaborate and troubleshoot effectively. To develop such multifaceted DevOps Engineer skills sets, its always better to learn from the professionals and opt for courses like KnowledgeHut's DevOps Foundation certification.