Mastering Azure DevOps : A Comprehensive Guide to Roles and Responsibilities in Software Development


The career path of becoming an Azure DevOps Engineer is thriving in today's tech-savvy world. More than 80% of businesses now run in the cloud, so there is a lot of demand for DevOps engineers who know how to use Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft Azure has quickly become a popular cloud platform among businesses. A skilled and trained Azure DevOps developer can use the service to their advantage in many ways, including but not limited to teamwork, code development, and application deployment.

In this blog, we’ll discuss Azure DevOps responsibilities, the required skill set, salary, the pros & cons of choosing this career path, and much more. So, let’s get started!

What are the Top Roles and Responsibilities of Azure DevOps Engineers?

DevOps Engineer understands the software development lifecycle and different tools for digital pipeline development.

One of the Azure DevOps responsibilities and roles is coordinating between programmers and the IT department to ensure the timely delivery of new software. Let’s look at the top roles and responsibilities of Azure DevOps engineers.

1. Roles of Azure DevOps Engineer 

Azure DevOps engineers have to deal with multiple roles in the office. The following are the top roles of Azure DevOps engineers:

  1. 1

    DevOps Evangelist

    DevOps Evangelist promotes the culture of DevOps methodologies and makes sure that all IT professionals know how to implement them. 

  2. 2

    Security Engineer

    DevOps security engineers work with developers to make sure that all the products have passed the security standards.

  3. 3

    Azure DevOps Developer/Tester

    DevOps includes both operations and software development, each of which has its own tasks and responsibilities.

    The DevOps strategy also has a significant impact on the testing process. DevOps engineers implement an automated testing process to guarantee reliability throughout every test. 

  4. 4

    Release Manager 

    The release manager supervises the integration, development, testing, and deployment to ensure the product life cycle is perfect. He/she is also responsible for maintaining the production chain for the successful delivery of DevOps products. 

  5. 5

    Automation Architect 

    Automation makes the production system easy by reducing the time of the development phase. Automation Architect implements strategies and analyzes designs for smooth deployment. 

  6. 6

    Experience Assurance Professional 

    Experience Assurance professional ensures that the functionality and features meet the client’s requirements. If not, he/she analyzes the whole product to make changes that satisfy customers. 

2. Responsibilities of Azure DevOps Engineer 

The following are the top objective Azure DevOps responsibilities:

  1. 1

    Documentation 

    Azure DevOps Engineers have to communicate with clients to understand their requirements better.

    Also, they have to consult with developers and stakeholders to understand their needs too. Then they document all requirements related to the project to create a plan and execute it. 

  2. 2

    Management 

    One of Azure DevOps responsibilities is coordinating product design & development and business operations to make new product launches smooth and straightforward.

  3. 3

    Design & Development

    DevOps engineers are responsible for improving organizational development infrastructure. They reduce risks by deploying automation while coding, testing, and deploying software products. 

  4. 4

    Collaboration & Support 

    Yielding good results requires extensive collaboration. DevOps engineers have to collaborate with operations and development teams to ensure the reliability and scalability of the application. 

  5. 5

    Deployment 

    Supervising software deployment is one of Azure DevOps responsibilities. They are responsible for deploying automated processes and CI/CD tools and developing CI/CD pipelines. 

  6. 6

    Knowledge 

    Azure DevOps engineers must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and practices in the industry. This will help them to improve operational efficiency.

What are the Required Skills to Become an Azure DevOps Engineer?

Azure DevOps engineers have to work with developers and other IT professionals. So, the following skills are required to become an Azure DevOps engineer:

  • Cloud Skills 

    Cloud computing and DevOps are always together. Both factors affect and are affected by each other's efficiency.

    When a process is driven by the DevOps methodology, cloud computing enables it by providing the required platform for testing, deploying, and releasing code.

  • Infrastructure Automation Tools 

    Automation is a crucial part of the software development life cycle. Many different scripting languages can automate all manual processes. Languages like Ruby, Bash, Python, Node and Shell are just a few examples. 

  • Coding & Scripting 

    The DevOps engineer's skill set would only be complete with the ability to code and script. Some of the most common programming and scripting languages required for Azure DevOps engineers are Python, Ruby, Python, Java, Javascript, PHP, Bash, Shell, and Node.js.

  • Testing 

    To achieve success with DevOps, testing is essential. Efficient, reliable tests are a must for the DevOps automation pipeline. In the context of continuous testing, where automated tests are run in the background, this is crucial.

  • Custom-Focused Approach 

    The ultimate aim of any effective DevOps procedure is to satisfy customers. In light of this, DevOps engineers must make it their mission to ensure that all of their work serves the needs of the business and the end user.

  • Soft Skills

    DevOps is a mixture of development and operations. So, one of the Azure DevOps responsibilities is to communicate with other IT professionals, which requires good communication skills. 

How Much Can You Expect to Earn as an Azure DevOps Engineer Around the World?

Azure DevOps engineer salaries vary with different locations around the world. So, let’s have a look at how much you can expect to earn as an Azure DevOps engineer.

Location

Average Salary/Year

Average Salary/Hour

United kingdom

£82,472

£29.18

usa

$136,500 

$70

india

₹ 2,100,000

₹ 1,077

australia

$130,000

$66.67

canada

$120,938

$62.02

Which Companies are Seeking Azure DevOps Engineers the Most?

Azure DevOps engineers are highly in demand as the use of cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing is mostly adopted by organizations.

According to the latest industry trends, the following are some of the significant companies that are constantly seeking Azure DevOps engineers:

  • Microsoft

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)

  • Accenture

  • Deloitte

  • Cognizant

  • Infosys

  • Wipro

  • IBM

  • Capgemini

  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

What are the Advantages of Working as an Azure DevOps Engineer?

As an Azure DevOps Engineer, you will have opportunities to grow, learn, and work with other people. The following are the benefits you can reap by working as an Azure DevOps engineer:

  • High Demand 

    Azure DevOps Engineers are in high demand due to the growing adoption of cloud technologies and DevOps practices. Its high demand in the market makes it the perfect career for those who want to enter the cloud computing field. 

  • Competitive Salary

    Due to the high demand for Azure DevOps Engineers, they can command a competitive salary.

  • Career Growth Opportunities

    Azure DevOps Engineers with experience can advance to positions such as senior DevOps engineer or manager.

  • Learning Opportunities

    As Azure DevOps is a constantly evolving field, there are always new tools and technologies to learn, which can help keep your skills relevant and in demand.

  • Flexibility

    Azure DevOps Engineers can work from home or anywhere with an internet connection, which gives them a lot of freedom and a good balance between work and life.

Are There Any Downsides of Working as an Azure DevOps Engineer?

Everything comes with a little bit of a downside, and the same is true for the DevOps career. Let’s discuss the downsides of working as an Azure DevOps engineer. 

  • Complexity

    Azure DevOps is a complicated system, and as an engineer, you will need to be able to use a wide range of tools and technologies. The learning curve can be steep, and keeping up with new updates and features can require ongoing training and education.

  • Responsibility

    As an Azure DevOps engineer, you will be in charge of managing important infrastructure and apps, which can be stressful and take a lot of time. You may need to be available 24/7 to respond to emergencies and troubleshoot issues.

  • Collaboration

    Effective DevOps requires collaboration across different teams and departments. This can require strong communication skills and the ability to work well in a team.

  • Burnout

    The demands of working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment can lead to burnout if you don't take care of yourself. It's important to prioritize work-life balance, take breaks when you need to, and ask for help when you're too busy.

  • Rapidly Evolving Technology

    Azure DevOps is a rapidly evolving field, with new technologies and tools always emerging. As an engineer, you'll need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and be prepared to adapt to new technologies as they arise. 

Best Online Resources to Boost Your Knowledge in Azure DevOps

There are many online resources available to boost your knowledge of Azure DevOps. Here are some of the best resources:

Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Learn is an official learning platform that offers a wide range of free online courses and tutorials on Azure DevOps. 

Introduction to Azure DevOps

In this course, you’ll learn what Azure DevOps is, its services, and complete an exercise to create Azure DevOps organizations. After this course, you’ll have a basic idea of Azure DevOps.

Azure DevOps Labs

A collection of hands-on Azure DevOps Labs that allow you to learn and experiment with Azure DevOps in a sandbox environment.

Agile Planning and Portfolio Management with Azure Boards

In this lab, you’ll learn agile planning and portfolio management. You’ll learn how Azure Boards can be used to track work across your team. This lab includes 7 tasks and a video for better understanding. 

Azure DevOps Community

A  Microsoft Community Hub where you can ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from other Azure DevOps users.

You can learn more about Azure DevOps and stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices by using these resources.

Udemy

Another popular online learning platform with many courses on Azure DevOps, covers topics such as continuous integration and delivery, automation, and testing. Let’s have a look at one of its courses for Azure DevOps.

Udemy | Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners

In this course, you’ll learn how to plan, manage, and deploy Azure DevOps applications. It’s the basic course for beginners who want to step into this field.

This course includes 12 downloadable resources, a 3.5-hour video, and a certificate of completion. After this course, you’ll learn all the basic knowledge you need to know about Azure DevOps. 

Whizlabs

Whizlabs is an online learning platform where you can find a wide range of courses for Azure DevOps. Let’s have a look at one of the courses it offers to pass the AZ-400 exam. 

Exam AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions

This course is a prerequisite to the Az-400 exam. It includes 10 practice tests and 93 videos. After completing this course, you can easily pass the AZ-400 exam with flying colors.

YouTube

There are many channels on YouTube that offer tutorials, demos, and tips on Azure DevOps, including Microsoft's official channel and others such as DevOps on Azure. Let’s have a look at the video of the channel “DevOps on Azure.” 

Azure DevOps: Zero to Hero Tutorial

This video includes everything you should know about Azure DevOps to start your career path. After this course, you’ll be able to pass the Azure DevOps Engineer certification. 

Tips on How to Get Ahead in Your Career as an Azure DevOps Engineer

As an Azure DevOps Engineer, there are several things you can do to get ahead in your career. Here are some tips:

  • Keep Learning and Stay Up to Date

    The tech industry is constantly evolving, and it's essential to stay up to date with the latest developments in Azure and DevOps. Attend conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay current and learn new skills.

  • Gain Hands-On Experience

    It's not enough to just have theoretical knowledge; practical experience is critical. Take on new projects, participate in hackathons, and work on open-source projects to gain hands-on experience.

  • Collaborate and Network

    Collaborate with your colleagues, participate in online forums and discussion groups, and attend meetups and conferences to build your network. Networking can help you learn new things and connect with like-minded professionals.

  • Build and Maintain a Strong Online Presence

    Develop a strong online presence by creating a blog, contributing to open-source projects, and engaging in social media. This can help you establish yourself as an authority in your field and attract potential employers.

  • Communicate Effectively

    Good communication skills are crucial for success as an Azure DevOps Engineer. Ensure you can clearly explain your ideas and solutions to your team members and stakeholders.

Key Takeaways 

Mastering Azure DevOps is important for any software development team that wants to improve their workflow, increase productivity, and only release the best software.

This complete guide to software development jobs and Azure DevOps responsibilities will teach you everything you need to know to master DevOps.

It would help if you had a good balance of technical and social skills to be a good Azure DevOps engineer. As an Azure DevOps engineer, you need to know about new industry trends to do well in your job.

FAQ

What is Azure DevOps used for?

Azure DevOps is a suite of tools and services designed to help teams manage their software development lifecycle.

It provides capabilities for project planning, source code management, continuous integration and deployment, testing, and collaboration. 

With Azure DevOps, teams can work more efficiently and effectively to deliver high-quality software faster.

What are the 3 main features of Azure DevOps?

The following are the 3 main features of Azure DevOps:

  • Dashboards 

  • Collaboration services 

  • Plan, track, and monitor work

What is Azure DevOps vs Jira?

Azure DevOps offers a comprehensive suite of tools for the entire software development lifecycle, while Jira focuses on issue tracking and project management using Agile methodologies.

Both platforms offer integrations with various tools and services, and Jira offers both cloud-based and on-premises options, whereas Azure DevOps offers a cloud-based solution as well as an on-premises option.

Is Azure DevOps better than AWS?

When it comes to cloud technology, AWS, and Azure are head-and-shoulders above the competition because they each offer something unique and valuable to DevOps.

Even though Azure is expanding at an impressive rate, Amazon Web Services (AWS) remains the dominant market leader in the cloud computing industry.

Which programming language is best for Azure DevOps?

The best programming languages for Azure DevOps are: 

  • NET

  • Java

  • PHP

  • Node. js

  • Python

Can I learn Azure DevOps without coding?

Yes! Azure DevOps can be learned without coding as it includes capabilities of project management, collaboration, and reporting other than building, releasing, and testing pipelines. Well, if you learn the basic coding and scripting languages, it’ll be easier for you to learn Azure DevOps.

About the author

Youssef

Youssef is a Senior Cloud Consultant & Founder of ITCertificate.org

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