IT Operations Engineer → DevOps Engineer

A realistic transition from IT Operations Engineer to DevOps Engineer: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 35%. Difficulty: Hard.

Difficulty: Hard7 stepsDuration: 16 to 20 monthsOverlap: 35%

Transition from IT Operations Engineer to DevOps Engineer.

Transferable skills

  • Linux
  • Python / Go scripting
  • Observability

Skills to learn

  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Terraform
  • Git & branching strategies
  • Security in pipelines

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your IT Operations Engineer experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Linux
    • Python / Go scripting
    • Observability

    Map transferable skills — Linux, Python / Go scripting, Observability — against what a DevOps Engineer needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward DevOps Engineer

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP)

    Raise Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP) to the level a DevOps Engineer relies on.

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

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • CI/CD pipelines
    • Docker
    • Git & branching strategies

    Technologies

    KubernetesTerraformGitLab CI

    Cover the biggest gaps first: CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Git & branching strategies.

  4. 4. Master advanced DevOps Engineer skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Terraform
    • Kubernetes
    • Security in pipelines

    Technologies

    GitHub ActionsArgoCDHelm

    Handle the advanced topics: Terraform, Kubernetes, Security in pipelines.

  5. 5. Get productive with the DevOps Engineer toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    KubernetesTerraformGitLab CIGitHub ActionsArgoCDHelmGCPVault

    Be hands-on with Kubernetes, Terraform, GitLab CI and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise DevOps Engineer work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

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

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

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    CKAHashiCorp Terraform AssociateAWS DevOps Engineer Professional

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

Alternative routes