SD-WAN Engineer → Cloud Network Engineer

A realistic transition from SD-WAN Engineer to Cloud Network Engineer: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 55%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium7 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 55%

Transition from SD-WAN Engineer to Cloud Network Engineer.

Transferable skills

  • Routing
  • Security groups / NACL
  • Troubleshooting

Skills to learn

  • Terraform
  • Hybrid connectivity
  • Load balancing

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your SD-WAN Engineer experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Routing
    • Security groups / NACL
    • Troubleshooting

    Map transferable skills — Routing, Security groups / NACL, Troubleshooting — against what a Cloud Network Engineer needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Cloud Network Engineer

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Cloud networking (VPC/VNet)
    • Automation

    Raise Cloud networking (VPC/VNet), Automation to the level a Cloud Network Engineer relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Cloud Network Engineer role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Terraform
    • Hybrid connectivity

    Technologies

    AWS VPCAzure VNetTransit Gateway

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Terraform, Hybrid connectivity.

  4. 4. Master advanced Cloud Network Engineer skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Load balancing

    Technologies

    TerraformF5HAProxy

    Handle the advanced topics: Load balancing.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Cloud Network Engineer toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    AWS VPCAzure VNetTransit GatewayTerraformF5HAProxyPrometheusKubernetes

    Be hands-on with AWS VPC, Azure VNet, Transit Gateway and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Cloud Network Engineer work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

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

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Cloud Network Engineer

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    AWS Advanced Networking SpecialtyAzure AZ-700Terraform Associate

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

Alternative routes