20 Best DevOps Engineer
Freelancers
to Hire
in 2023

DevOps engineering is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the systems development life cycle and provide continuous delivery of high-quality software. It involves a cultural shift towards collaboration between development and operation teams and aims to automate and optimize the processes of software development, testing, and deployment. DevOps engineers typically have knowledge of both software development and IT operations and use tools and technologies to automate infrastructure, monitor performance, and integrate features and updates quickly and continuously.

A DevOps engineer is responsible for helping to create and maintain a development environment that promotes the rapid development, testing, and deployment of software. Their primary role is to bridge the gap between development and operations, ensuring that the software development team can develop and deploy software quickly and efficiently.

In order to accomplish this, a DevOps engineer must have a deep understanding of software development, cloud computing, and automation technologies, as well as an understanding of key IT operations areas like networking, security, and data management.

The specific responsibilities of a DevOps engineer may vary depending on the organization and the project, but some common tasks may include developing and maintaining continuous integration and delivery pipelines, managing configuration management tools, developing and modifying automation scripts, monitoring systems, and working with developers and other stakeholders to ensure that the software deployment workflow meets all requirements and delivers quality software in a timely manner.

There are several reasons why an organization may want to hire a DevOps engineer, including:

1. Faster and more efficient software delivery: DevOps engineers are experts in automation, continuous integration, and continuous delivery. They can develop and implement processes that make the software delivery process faster, more efficient, and more reliable.
2. Improved collaboration: DevOps engineers promote better collaboration between development and operations team members, which can help to break down organizational silos and encourage teams to work together more effectively.
3. Enhanced scalability and reliability: DevOps engineers understand how to design and implement systems that are scalable and reliable, even when dealing with large numbers of users or complex applications.
4. More secure systems: DevOps engineers have a deep understanding of security best practices and can help to implement security measures throughout the software development process.
5. Increased agility and flexibility: Organizations that embrace DevOps practices can respond to changing market conditions more quickly and adapt to the needs of their customers more effectively.

Overall, hiring a DevOps engineer can help to increase the speed, quality, and efficiency of software delivery while promoting collaboration, security, scalability, and flexibility.

Hiring a DevOps Engineer involves the following steps:

1. Define your requirements: You need to have a clear idea of what skills and experience you require from a DevOps Engineer. Identify the specific tasks and responsibilities that the engineer will be responsible for.
2. Write a job description: A well-written job description is crucial in attracting the right candidates. Be specific about what you are looking for and the tasks and responsibilities that the engineer will have. Use clear and concise language that is easy to understand. Post the job on Contra.
3. Search for candidates on Contra based on their skills, experience, and location and even reach out to candidates directly.
4. Review resumes and applications: Shortlist candidates who meet your requirements and have the necessary skills and experience.
5. Conduct interviews: Conduct thorough interviews asking questions that are specific to the requirements of the role. Focus on their experience working with automation tools, cloud computing, continuous integration and delivery, and other related areas.
6. Check references: Check references before making a job offer. This will give you an insight into the candidate's skills and experience.
7. Make a job offer: If the candidate meets all your requirements, make a job offer with a competitive compensation package and benefits.

Overall, hiring a DevOps Engineer requires careful planning and preparation. Follow these steps to find the right candidate for your organization.

DevOps Engineers use a variety of software tools and technologies to automate and optimize the software development process. Some of the most popular software tools used by DevOps Engineers include:

1. Configuration Management tools: Tools like Ansible, Chef, Puppet, and Saltstack are used to automate the process of setting up and managing infrastructure.
2. Source Control Management: Git, Mercurial, and Subversion are some of the most widely-used source control management tools that allow for easy collaboration, branching, and versioning of code.
3. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment: Jenkins, Bamboo, and TeamCity are popular CI/CD tools that automate the build and deployment process, allowing for faster and more consistent delivery of software.
4. Containerization: Docker and Kubernetes are popular containerization tools that allow for easy deployment and management of applications in a containerized environment, providing scalability and portability.
5. Monitoring: Tools like Nagios, Zabbix, and Grafana are used to monitor system and application performance, allowing for quick detection and resolution of issues.
6. Cloud Platforms: Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform provide DevOps Engineers with on-demand infrastructure and services to build, test, and deploy software.

Overall, DevOps Engineers use a range of software tools and technologies to automate and optimize the software development process, allowing for faster, more efficient, and more reliable delivery of software applications.

Freelancers are paid commission-free on Contra. They may charge per project, per hour, or per milestone. Freelancers get paid for the work they produce for their clients. Clients must pay a minimum of $250 or $25 an hour to post an opportunity on Contra.

The cost of hiring a DevOps Engineer varies based on a number of factors, including:

1. Experience: DevOps Engineers with more experience usually command higher salaries and benefits packages.
2. Location: The cost of living can vary widely from one location to another, which can influence the salary and benefits that organizations offer.
3. Skills: DevOps Engineers with specialized skills or certifications may command higher salaries.
4. Company size: Larger companies may be able to offer more competitive salaries and benefits packages than smaller organizations.

According to data from Glassdoor, the average base salary for a DevOps Engineer in the United States is around $113,000 per year, but this can vary significantly based on the factors mentioned above.

In addition to salary, hiring a DevOps Engineer also involves costs associated with recruitment and onboarding, such as advertising the job, conducting interviews, and providing training and support.

Ultimately, the cost of hiring a DevOps Engineer will vary depending on a range of factors specific to your organization.

The salary of a DevOps Engineer can vary depending on a number of factors such as location, experience, skills, and industry.

According to the data from Glassdoor, the average base salary for a DevOps Engineer in the United States is around $113,000 per year. However, salaries can range from around $80,000 to $170,000 per year depending on the factors mentioned above.

In addition to the base salary, DevOps Engineers may also receive bonuses, stock options, and other incentives based on their performance.

The salary of a DevOps Engineer can also vary by industry. For example, the average salary for DevOps Engineers in the software and technology industry is higher than that of other industries, such as healthcare.

Overall, the salary of a DevOps Engineer can be quite lucrative and is generally reflective of the high demand for these specialized skills in the workforce.

To start working as a DevOps Engineer, here are some steps you may consider:

1. Build a solid foundation in computer science: A degree in computer science, IT, or a related field can provide a foundation of knowledge in programming, networking, and systems engineering.
2. Improve your hard and soft skills: DevOps Engineers need strong programming skills in languages like Python, Java, Ruby, and Bash. You can improve your programming skills by taking courses, attending seminars, and practicing. Soft skills that DevOps Engineers should have include communication, collaboration and complex problem-solving.
3. Learn automation and DevOps tools: DevOps Engineers need to be familiar with tools like Git, Jenkins, Ansible, Docker, and Kubernetes. You can learn these tools by taking online courses or participating in training programs.
4. Gain experience in IT operations: DevOps Engineers need to understand IT operations and system administration. You can gain experience and become qualified by working in IT operations or system administration roles.
5. Get certified: There are several DevOps-related certifications available, such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Google Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer, or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
6. Build a portfolio: Build a portfolio on Contra that showcases your skills and experience in DevOps, such as automation scripts, deployment pipelines, or infrastructure as code templates. This can be valuable in demonstrating your ability to prospective employers.
7. Apply for jobs: Once you have built a foundation of skills and experience, look for DevOps Engineer job openings and start applying. Network with others in the field to learn about job opportunities and industry trends.

Overall, a career in DevOps can be rewarding and challenging, and it requires a strong combination of technical skills, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new tools and technologies.

The time it takes to become a DevOps Engineer largely depends on the individual and their background, education, and experience. It can take anywhere from 6 months to several years to build the necessary hard and soft skills and experience to become a DevOps Engineer.

If you have a degree in computer science or a related field and already have experience in IT operations or software development, it may take less time to acquire skills in automation tools, cloud computing, and DevOps practices.

On the other hand, if you don't have a technical background or experience in IT operations or software development, it may take longer to build the skills necessary to become a DevOps Engineer. In this case, you may need to take courses, participate in boot camps, or gain experience through internships or apprenticeships.

Ultimately, becoming a DevOps Engineer is not a linear path and requires a continuous process of learning and adaptation to new technologies and processes. It is important to be open to learning, stay up to date with the latest industry trends, and continuously improve your skills and knowledge.