For many small businesses, managing, maintaining, and implementing new cloud computing infrastructure can be daunting.     Do you need a cloud engineer?

 But with forecasts that public cloud end-user spending could reach as much as $AUD23.2 billion this year, and a surge of demand triggering a critical shortage of digital skilled experts, Australian SMBs should consider building out their cloud capabilities – and that starts with sourcing relevant talent.  

A cloud engineer is a professional responsible for managing various aspects of cloud computing. Their tasks span a wide spectrum, from strategic planning and design to technical implementation, maintenance, and support. When organisations need to deploy or scale their cloud resources or gain a better understanding of cloud technologies, they turn to cloud engineers. 

As a highly technical role, cloud engineers typically possess a combination of skills. They understand databases and data management, configure networking environments, write scripts for automation, and choose the right operating systems. Security is paramount, so cloud engineers are well-versed in encryption, access controls, and best practices. 

The key responsibilities of a cloud engineer

Your first cloud engineer will be responsible for researching and defining the best cloud strategy for the company. That will involve collaborating closely with existing teams and customers to ensure the strategy is aligned to the need of the business. They will also need to communicate clearly to ensure everyone understands the chosen approach. 

Next, cloud engineers design and build. Working solo or as part of a small IT team, your first cloud engineer will be responsible for creating web services within the cloud, considering factors like geographic distribution and scalability. Their goal is to meet performance requirements whilst optimising costs. 

Once the new cloud computing infrastructure is implemented, the engineer will be responsible for monitoring system performance, analysing logs and troubleshooting issues. They set up alerts, track resource utilisation, and respond to incidents promptly to ensure reliability and minimise downtime.  This includes implementing security best practices – they configure firewalls, manage access controls, and encrypt data. This should all be done whilst considering compliance with industry standards and regulations to safeguard sensitive information. 

Finally, a cloud engineer is responsible for education and training. They will provide relevant training to other team members, ensuring the smooth adoption of cloud technologies across the organisation and that the new tech is used safely and efficiently. 

How to find and hire a cloud engineer 

The first step, once you have identified the type of role you want to hire for, is to prepare a job specification for the right person. This should be a clear job description that outlines responsibilities, required skills and qualifications. 

Once this is prepared, the best place to start is your local networks and startup programs. Connect with local startup program managers and industry events. These connections can introduce you to potential cloud engineers within the broader tech community. Leveraging resources like the OVHcloud Startup Program provides one-on-one time with an expert who can help you find the right fit for your team or make introductions to potential candidates. Existing offline (e.g. employee referrals) and online (e.g. LinkedIn job postings, job boards, own website posts) networks should be tapped into as much as possible.  

It’s also worth considering working with recruitment agents who understand your business. They can help filter candidates, especially for hard-to-fill roles. A recruitment agent with knowledge of your industry, the tech landscape and startup culture can be a valuable channel for finding the right talent. 

During the interview process, the interviewer will need to assess the candidate’s technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. It will be important to ask about their cloud service certifications, coding language fluency and skills related to concepts such as DevOps and open-source technology. 

When hiring your first cloud engineer, remember that their role extends beyond technical expertise. They will represent your brand by shaping your business’s technology roadmap, in turn impacting performance and influencing user experience. Prioritise quality over speed during the hiring process and invest in talent that aligns with your organisation’s long-term vision. 

Contributed by Satyam Santosh, Startup Program Lead, APAC, OVHcloud