Technology & Data

Cloud Engineer

Designs and manages the cloud infrastructure applications run on.

Content last reviewed: August 2026

A cloud engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure (servers, storage, networking) that applications rely on, using cloud platforms rather than physical hardware. A typical day includes provisioning resources through code, optimizing costs, and ensuring systems can scale up or down based on demand.

Security and cost management are constant considerations: cloud engineers regularly review configurations for vulnerabilities and unnecessary spending, since cloud costs can grow quickly if unmanaged.

Core tasks

✓Designing and provisioning cloud infrastructure
✓Writing infrastructure-as-code configurations
✓Optimizing systems for cost and performance
✓Managing access controls and security configurations
✓Troubleshooting infrastructure issues
✓Planning for scalability and disaster recovery

Tools & skills used

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)Infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation)Networking fundamentalsScripting and automationSecurity best practicesCost management and monitoring tools

Typical entry paths

→Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Technology
→Cloud platform certifications are widely used alongside a degree

Common misconceptions

It's not purely 'IT support in the cloud', it involves substantial software and systems design work.
Cloud infrastructure isn't automatically cheaper or simpler than traditional servers; managing cost and complexity is a core part of the job.

Frequently asked questions

What does a Cloud Engineer do?

Designs and manages the cloud infrastructure applications run on.

What are the core tasks of a Cloud Engineer?

Day to day, this typically includes: Designing and provisioning cloud infrastructure; Writing infrastructure-as-code configurations; Optimizing systems for cost and performance.

What tools or skills does a Cloud Engineer use?

Common tools and skills for this role include Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), Infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation), Networking fundamentals, Scripting and automation.

How do people typically become a Cloud Engineer?

Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Technology. Cloud platform certifications are widely used alongside a degree.

What's a common misconception about being a Cloud Engineer?

It's not purely 'IT support in the cloud', it involves substantial software and systems design work.

What college majors lead to becoming a Cloud Engineer?

Majors that commonly lead here include Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering. A major shapes what you study, it isn't a guarantee of landing this specific role.

This describes what the role typically involves day to day. It's not a guarantee of hiring, salary, or advancement, actual responsibilities vary by employer, industry, and location. See our disclaimer.