Hire remote cloud engineers that you can trust

A cloud engineer is a technical professional responsible for designing, implementing, and managing cloud-based infrastructure and services. They work with platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to build scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud solutions. Cloud engineers handle everything from initial cloud migration to ongoing optimization, ensuring that applications and data are accessible, performant, and protected.

Cloud engineers are essential for cloud migration projects, helping businesses move from on-premises infrastructure to cloud platforms. They design and manage microservices architectures, implement container orchestration with Kubernetes and Docker, set up CI/CD pipelines, configure auto-scaling and load balancing, implement disaster recovery solutions, optimize cloud costs, and ensure compliance with security standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR.

The cloud engineering tech stack typically includes cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), infrastructure as code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation, Pulumi), container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, ECS/EKS), CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI), monitoring solutions (Prometheus, Grafana, CloudWatch, Datadog), and security tools (IAM, Vault, AWS Security Hub). Cloud engineers also work with databases like RDS, DynamoDB, and Cloud SQL.

A cloud engineer is responsible for designing cloud architecture, implementing infrastructure as code, managing container orchestration, setting up networking and security, optimizing cloud costs, and ensuring high availability and disaster recovery. They collaborate with DevOps teams, software developers, and security professionals to deliver robust cloud solutions that meet business requirements.

Junior cloud engineers have foundational knowledge of one cloud platform and basic scripting skills. Mid-level engineers are proficient in multiple cloud services, infrastructure as code, and container technologies, with 2-4 years of experience. Senior cloud engineers have 5+ years of experience, expertise in multi-cloud architectures, and can lead complex cloud transformation projects. Cloud architects focus on high-level design and strategic planning.

Cloud engineers design and implement cloud infrastructure, automate deployments using infrastructure as code, manage Kubernetes clusters and containerized applications, configure networking (VPCs, subnets, load balancers), implement security best practices and IAM policies, set up monitoring and alerting systems, optimize cloud spending, ensure compliance with industry standards, and provide 24/7 support for critical cloud systems.

Freelance cloud engineers offer flexibility for short-term projects or specific cloud migrations. In-house cloud engineers work full-time and are ideal for companies with ongoing cloud infrastructure needs. Outsourced cloud engineers from platforms like Boundev provide pre-vetted talent with verified certifications, offering cost-effective solutions with faster onboarding and reduced hiring risk.

A cloud engineer job description should specify required certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator, GCP Professional), experience with infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation), container experience (Docker, Kubernetes), networking knowledge, security expertise, and programming skills (Python, Go, Bash). Include responsibilities like designing cloud architecture, managing CI/CD pipelines, and optimizing costs.

Key assessment questions include: 1) How would you design a highly available architecture on AWS/Azure/GCP? 2) Explain the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. 3) How do you implement infrastructure as code with Terraform? 4) Describe your experience with Kubernetes and container orchestration. 5) How would you optimize cloud costs for a growing application? 6) What security best practices do you follow for cloud environments?

Cloud engineer salaries vary by experience, location, and specialization. In the United States, junior cloud engineers earn $80,000-$100,000, mid-level engineers earn $100,000-$140,000, and senior cloud engineers or architects earn $150,000-$200,000+ annually. Specialized certifications (AWS Solutions Architect Professional, GCP Professional Cloud Architect) can increase earning potential by 15-25%.