Data Center Engineer → Infrastructure Engineer

A realistic transition from Data Center Engineer to Infrastructure Engineer: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 10%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium7 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 10%

Transition from Data Center Engineer to Infrastructure Engineer.

Skills to learn

  • Virtualisation & compute
  • Networking
  • Infrastructure as Code
  • Linux
  • Cloud (hybrid)
  • Disaster recovery

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Data Center Engineer experience

    2–4 weeks

    Map your current strengths against the Infrastructure Engineer role.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Infrastructure Engineer

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Storage & backup

    Raise Storage & backup to the level an Infrastructure Engineer relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Infrastructure Engineer role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Virtualisation & compute
    • Disaster recovery
    • Linux
    • Networking

    Technologies

    ProxmoxTerraformVeeam

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Virtualisation & compute, Disaster recovery, Linux.

  4. 4. Master advanced Infrastructure Engineer skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Infrastructure as Code
    • Cloud (hybrid)
    • Automation

    Technologies

    AWSAzureKubernetes

    Handle the advanced topics: Infrastructure as Code, Cloud (hybrid), Automation.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Infrastructure Engineer toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    ProxmoxTerraformVeeamAWSAzureKubernetesNutanix

    Be hands-on with Proxmox, Terraform, Veeam and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Infrastructure Engineer work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Infrastructure Engineer tasks at work.

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Infrastructure Engineer

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    VMware VCP-DCVAZ-104AWS Solutions Architect Associate

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Infrastructure Engineer, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes