DevOps Engineer Masters Program

DevOps Engineer Course FAQs

• How do I earn the DevOps Engineer certificate?

  To earn the DevOps Engineer certificate, you will be required to first complete the following modules along with the respective capstone projects:

  • DevOps Certification Training
  • Docker Certified Associate (DCA) Certification Training Course
  • Container Orchestration using Kubernetes

  Additionally, to strengthen your knowledge, you can take the two electives on Docker Essentials and Introduction to Containers, Kubernetes, and OpenShift V2 provided in collaboration with IBM Developer Skills Network.

• Can I cancel my enrollment in this DevOps Engineer Course? Will I get a refund?

  Yes, you can cancel your enrollment in this DevOps engineer course if necessary. We will refund the money after deducting an administration fee. To learn more, view our refund policy.

• Does Simplilearn provide practice exams as part of this DevOps engineer training?

  Yes, we offer the following practice tests -

  • DevOps Certification Exam Practice Test
  • Docker Certified Associate Exam Dumps

• How long does it typically take to become a DevOps engineer?

  Becoming a proficient DevOps engineer is a journey, not an event, and typically takes several years of building on an existing technical foundation. It's not an entry-level position; most DevOps engineers transition after gaining 2-3 years of experience in a role like systems administration or software development.

  • Prerequisite Experience: Expect to spend at least 2-3 years in a foundational IT role (e.g., Linux admin, developer, cloud engineer) to build the necessary core skills
  • Focused Learning: A structured program, like this 6-month master's course, can then rapidly teach you the specific DevOps tools and methodologies (like CI/CD, Kubernetes, IaC) needed for the role
  • Total Time: For someone starting from a related IT job, a realistic timeline to become a "job-ready" DevOps engineer is about 6 to 12 months of intensive, focused learning and hands-on practice

• Can a DevOps engineer be called a technical pro?

  Sure, a DevOps Engineer can be called a technical pro. They are closely engaged in complex processes that lead to software development and its timely and successful deployment according to customer/project requirements.

• How vital is Linux for a DevOps engineer?

  Compared to other operating systems like Windows and macOS, Linux is the most customizable and allows users to download the required DevOps tools the simplest and fastest way. Consequently, Linux is highly relevant for DevOps as it imparts the flexibility and scalability needed to generate a dynamic software process. Using Linux, DevOps engineers can easily modify the software as per their requirements and configure it to work for them.

• What industries use DevOps most?

  DevOps is widely used across various industries to improve collaboration, automate processes, and enhance product and service delivery. Some industries known to use DevOps extensively include:

  • Information technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Finance-based industries
  • Airlines
  • Hospitality

  Some popular companies include Accenture, IBM, Mindtree, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Amazon. You can quickly seek employment in any industry and company by pursuing our DevOps Engineer training.

• Does Simplilearn have corporate training solutions?

  At Simplilearn for Business, we collaborate with Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies to deliver digital skills training for their talent development strategy. Our corporate training offerings include short skill-based certification programs, role-based learning paths, and Simplilearn Learning Hub+ - a comprehensive learning library with unlimited live and interactive solutions that are accessible organization-wide. Our curriculum consultants customize learning solutions to meet each client's team's needs and objectives.

• What happens if I miss one of the live online classes?

  Missing a live class won't prevent you from completing the course. The program's "flexi-learn" feature was designed to support the schedules of working professionals, so you can balance your job and personal life without falling behind.

  • All live, instructor-led classes are recorded. You will have access to these recordings to watch at your convenience.
  • You can simply watch the recording on our learning platform to have your attendance marked for that session.
  • Even when catching up via recording, you still have access to 24/7 support if you have questions about the content you missed.

• What is the review of Simplilearn’s DevOps Engineer Course?

  Simplilearn is highly regarded for offering valuable, career-boosting education. The DevOps Engineer Course offers a well-structured and industry-relevant curriculum. Simplilearn testimonials and alumni reviews talk highly about the comprehensive course content, practical learning approach, and experienced instructors. The flexibility of the programs allows professionals to upskill while balancing work and personal commitments.

• Are there any other online courses Simplilearn offers under Cloud and DevOps?

  Simplilearn offers a variety of master’s, post-graduate, and certification courses that one can pursue after completing DevOps Engineer Course. You can further enhance your skills with post-graduate programs and advanced certification training courses that dive deeper into specialized areas of the DevOps Course.

  Similar programs that we offer under Cloud and DevOps:

  • Cloud Computing and DevOps Certification Program - Purdue
  • Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps
  • Cloud Computing & DevOps
  • Azure DevOps Solutions Expert Masters Program
  • AZ-400 Certification

• Is a DevOps Course certificate worth it?

  Yes, a DevOps Course training certificate is valuable, offering high-paying job prospects and skill enhancement.

  • Automation Expertise: DevOps Certification training certificate boosts productivity by automating operations, reducing costs, and improving speed, quality, and customer satisfaction through continuous integration.
  • Job Security: The demand for certified DevOps professionals is high, ensuring job stability and career advancement opportunities. An AWS Certified DevOps Engineer tackles complex cloud infrastructure challenges.
  • Diverse Career Paths: Certification opens doors to various roles, such as DevOps Architect, Cloud Engineer, Release Manager, etc., enhancing demand and career prospects.
  • Higher Income: Certified DevOps professionals command better salaries and benefits due to high demand from global companies.
  • Future Growth: DevOps is a burgeoning field, promising continuous professional growth and ample job opportunities for certified individuals.

• How do the collaborations with IBM, AWS, and Microsoft enhance this program?

  These industry partnerships ensure the curriculum is relevant and aligned with the tools and platforms companies actually use. You get access to official learning content directly from these tech leaders, adding verifiable credibility to your training.

  • IBM Collaboration: You get access to official IBM self-learning content and earn industry-recognized IBM course certificates for specific modules, such as those on Docker and Kubernetes
  • Microsoft Certification: The program provides access to the Microsoft Learn portal and content aligned with the Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer (AZ-400) certification, including an MS-branded certificate
  • AWS Official Training: As an AWS official training partner, we provide a self-learning curriculum that is aligned with AWS certifications, such as the AWS Developer Associate

• What specific DevOps tools will I get hands-on experience with?

  You will get hands-on experience with more than 12 of the most in-demand tools used in the industry today. The curriculum is built around mastering this technology stack, ensuring you can apply your skills in a real-world environment from day one.

  • Version Control: Git and GitHub
  • CI/CD: Jenkins, Maven, and AWS CodePipeline
  • Configuration Management: Ansible and Terraform
  • Containerization: Docker
  • Orchestration: Kubernetes
  • Monitoring & Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, and Kibana (ELK Stack)
  • Cloud Platforms: AWS and Microsoft Azure
  • Operating System: Linux

• What technical skills will I master by the end of this DevOps course?

  Upon completion, you will have mastered the practical and methodological skills needed to manage a modern, automated software delivery pipeline. The program is designed to make you proficient in the key pillars of the DevOps and DevSecOps lifecycle.

  • Understanding and implementing the core principles of the DevOps Methodology to foster collaboration and automate processes
  • Using Jenkins and Git to automatically build and test code for Continuous Integration (CI)
  • Automating the release of new software into production through Continuous Delivery (CD)
  • Using Ansible and Terraform to manage and provision infrastructure as code (IaC) for Configuration Management
  • Packaging applications with Docker for Containerization
  • Deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications at scale using Kubernetes Orchestration
  • Using tools like Prometheus and Grafana for Logging and Monitoring to observe system health and troubleshoot issues
  • Integrating security principles and tools into the DevOps pipeline (DevSecOps)
  • Applying DevOps principles on major Cloud Platforms like AWS and Azure

• What is the DevOps Capstone Project?

  The Capstone project is the final, summative part of the DevOps Engineer program. It's an opportunity for you to apply all the skills and tools you've learned—from CI/CD and containerization to configuration management—to solve a real-world, industry-aligned business problem from start to finish.

  • Purpose: The project proves your job-readiness by letting you build and manage a complete DevOps pipeline for a realistic scenario
  • Domain Options: You can choose a project from one of three domains: ASI Insurance, Orbit Bank, or HotelSide Hospital
  • Example Project: One project involves creating a DevOps pipeline for an insurance company to build and deploy a microservice application on Docker
  • Mentoring: You will receive dedicated mentoring sessions to guide you through the project, ensuring you have expert support
  • Portfolio: This project serves as a key piece for your professional portfolio, which you can showcase to potential employers

• Does this course cover DevSecOps?

  Yes, the program integrates DevSecOps principles as a core component of the modern DevOps lifecycle. You will learn to incorporate security practices and automation "shifting left" into the development pipeline, rather than treating security as a final, separate step.

  • The "DevOps Foundations" module explicitly covers DevSecOps principles and its best practices
  • You will learn how to integrate automated security checks, vulnerability scanning, and compliance planning into the CI/CD pipeline
  • This focus is critical, as the demand for DevSecOps skills has seen a 60% increase, and it's a key preparation for roles like Security Professional and DevOps Architect

• How are CI/CD and configuration management taught in the program?

  The program covers CI/CD and configuration management in dedicated, in-depth modules. You'll move from the "why" to the "how," using the industry's most popular tools to build, test, deploy, and manage applications and infrastructure.

  • CI/CD with Jenkins: The first core module focuses on version control with Git and building CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins, one of the most widely used automation servers.
  • Configuration Management: A separate, dedicated module covers configuration management using Ansible for automation and Terraform for Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
  • Hands-On Learning: You won't just learn the theory. You'll use these tools in hands-on labs to automate infrastructure provisioning, manage system configurations, and deploy applications.

• What is the job market outlook for DevOps engineers in 2026 and beyond?

  The job market for DevOps professionals is exceptionally strong and is projected to see significant growth. As companies increasingly rely on cloud infrastructure and microservices, they need professionals who can manage this complexity. DevOps skills are essential for business agility and competitiveness.

  • Market Growth: The DevOps market is expected to grow 25% annually from 2024 to 2032. The market is forecasted to expand from $10.4 billion in 2023 to $25.5 billion by 2028.
  • High Demand: "DevOps Engineer" is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 most in-demand jobs globally.
  • Salary Growth: The average year-over-year salary growth for DevOps roles is 12%.
  • Top Companies: Major companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, and Dell are all actively hiring for DevOps roles.

• Is this course suitable for a complete beginner with no technical background?

  No, this program is not designed for complete beginners. Unlike some introductory courses, the DevOps Engineer Masters Program has specific technical prerequisites. It's intended for existing IT professionals who want to specialize and upskill in the DevOps domain.

  • Target Audience: The course is explicitly for IT team leaders, software developers, systems administrators, cloud engineers, and other technical roles
  • Required Knowledge: It assumes you have a foundational understanding of Linux, web development, Java, and cloud platforms
  • Program Pace: The curriculum moves directly into complex tools like Jenkins, Ansible, and Kubernetes, and would be very difficult to follow without the required technical foundation

• What financing or monthly installment options are available for this course?

  Yes, flexible payment options are available to make the program fee more manageable. You can pay the total program fee in monthly installments using payment options from established financing partners, allowing you to invest in your education without paying the full amount upfront.

  • Financing Partners: Installment plans are offered through services like Splitit or Klarna
  • Transparent Fees: These payment options come with a low Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and no hidden fees

• How is a DevOps Engineer different from a Software Engineer?

  A Software Engineer is primarily focused on building the application, while a DevOps Engineer is focused on building the system that builds and runs the application. A software engineer's main job is to write and design code for features, whereas a DevOps engineer's main job is to automate and manage the entire software delivery process.

  • Primary Focus: Software Engineers write feature code (e.g., a "checkout" button). DevOps Engineers write automation code (e.g., a script to deploy the "checkout" button to 1,000 servers).
  • Core Tools: A Software Engineer lives in an IDE and uses programming languages (like Java, Python) and frameworks. A DevOps Engineer lives in the command line and uses CI/CD, IaC, and container tools (like Jenkins, Terraform, Kubernetes).
  • Main Goal: A Software Engineer's goal is a well-designed, functional, and bug-free application. A DevOps Engineer's goal is a fast, reliable, and automated release pipeline and a stable production environment.

• What is the difference between a DevOps Engineer and a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)?

  The roles of DevOps Engineer and Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) are very similar and often overlap, but they have different origins. DevOps is a broad cultural philosophy about breaking down silos, while SRE is a specific, prescriptive engineering discipline that originated at Google to achieve reliability.

  • You can think of DevOps as the "what" (the culture of collaboration and automation) and SRE as a specific "how" (a data-driven, engineering-first way to implement that culture).
  • A DevOps Engineer often focuses on the speed and efficiency of the delivery pipeline (e.g., "How fast can we deploy?"). An SRE focuses on the reliability and performance of the production service (e.g., "How do we stay 99.99% available?").
  • SREs are famous for using "Error Budgets"—a data-driven agreement on how much failure is acceptable. If a service becomes too unstable and "spends" its budget, all new feature development must stop until reliability is fixed.
  • In today's market, the roles are specializing. DevOps engineers often focus on the CI/CD and automation side, while SREs take on the advanced monitoring, incident response, and scalability challenges.

• What is DevSecOps, and how is it different from DevOps?

  DevSecOps is the natural evolution of DevOps that fully integrates security into every single stage of the software lifecycle. If DevOps is about bridging the gap between Dev and Ops, DevSecOps is about bridging the gap between Dev, Ops, and Security (Sec). The core idea is "shifting security left," meaning security is not an afterthought, but a shared responsibility from the very beginning of development.

  • Traditional DevOps might focus on automating the build and deployment, but security checks are often done by a separate team at the end, which creates a bottleneck.
  • DevSecOps automates security checks inside the pipeline. This includes static code analysis, vulnerability scanning, and compliance checks that run automatically every time a developer commits code.
  • In DevSecOps, security is "everyone's job," not just the security team's. Developers are given the tools to find and fix security issues in their own code, making the entire process faster and more secure.

• What is Platform Engineering, and is it replacing DevOps?

  Platform Engineering is not replacing DevOps; it's a modern implementation of DevOps principles. As systems (like Kubernetes and microservices) became too complex, a new problem arose: every developer was suddenly expected to be a part-time DevOps expert. Platform Engineering solves this by having a dedicated "platform team" build and manage a stable, self-service "Internal Developer Platform" (IDP) that all other developers can use.

  • The Problem: Developer cognitive load. Asking 50 different product teams to all figure out Kubernetes, security, and monitoring on their own is inefficient and leads to burnout.
  • The Solution: A specialized Platform Engineering team builds one "paved road", a golden path for development. They provide the tools, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure as a product.
  • The Relationship: The Platform Team enables DevOps for the rest of the organization. They are the SREs and DevOps experts who build the platform that allows all other developers to deliver code quickly and safely without having to be experts in infrastructure.

• What is AIOps and how does it relate to DevOps?

  AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) is the use of AI and machine learning to automate and enhance IT operations. It's a key part of the modern DevOps toolchain, especially for monitoring. As systems generate millions of log entries and data points, it's impossible for humans to find the "signal in the noise." AIOps tools are designed to do this automatically.

  • AIOps can analyze data from multiple monitoring tools (like Prometheus and Grafana) to automatically identify the true cause of a problem, instead of just showing 100 different alerts
  • AI models can learn the "normal" behavior of your application and automatically alert you when something is behaving strangely, often before it fails and affects users
  • Advanced AIOps tools can predict potential failures (like a disk running out of space) and automatically trigger a fix, like scaling up resources or cleaning up old files

• What are FinOps and GreenOps?

  FinOps and GreenOps are two new, critical responsibilities that are being added to the DevOps domain, focusing on financial and environmental accountability.

  • FinOps (Financial Operations): This is a cultural practice that brings financial accountability to the variable spending model of the cloud. In a FinOps culture, DevOps teams are responsible for understanding, managing, and optimizing their cloud spending. The goal is to make real-time, data-driven decisions that balance cloud performance and cost.
  • GreenOps (Green Operations): This is an emerging practice that integrates sustainability and energy efficiency into DevOps. As data centers and AI models consume massive amounts of energy, GreenOps focuses on monitoring and reducing the environmental impact of software. This includes optimizing code for efficiency, scaling down resources when not in use, and choosing cloud regions powered by renewable energy.

• What are the most important DevOps tools to learn in 2026?

  The DevOps landscape has a core set of "must-know" tools that are foundational to almost every job. While the market is always changing, mastering the tools in each category is essential.

  • Containers & Orchestration: Docker and Kubernetes are non-negotiable. Kubernetes is the undisputed market leader for container orchestration.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform is the industry standard for provisioning multi-cloud infrastructure. Ansible is also critical for configuration management.
  • CI/CD Automation: Jenkins is still a powerful and widely used automation server, while GitLab CI and GitHub Actions are rapidly growing, cloud-native alternatives.
  • Monitoring & Observability: Prometheus (for metrics collection) and Grafana (for visualization) are the open-source standard for monitoring cloud-native systems.
  • Version Control: Git is the absolute standard. All DevOps work, from application code to infrastructure code, lives in Git repositories.

• Why is Kubernetes so essential for DevOps?

  Kubernetes (often called K8s) is essential because it is the operating system for the cloud. It solves the problem of managing thousands of application "containers" (created with Docker) at massive scale. Before Kubernetes, you had an application; now you have 50 microservices, each with 10 copies, and you need to deploy, scale, and update them all without downtime.

  • It automates the manual, complex tasks of deploying, scaling, and networking containerized applications
  • If a container or server fails, Kubernetes automatically detects it, restarts the container, and moves it to a healthy server, all without human intervention
  • If your application gets a surge in traffic, you can tell Kubernetes to "scale the front-end to 100 copies" with a single command, and it handles the rest
  • It provides a consistent platform that runs the same way on any major cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) or in your own data center, preventing vendor lock-in

• What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and why is it important?

  Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the practice of managing and provisioning your IT infrastructure (like servers, databases, and networks) using machine-readable definition files, rather than physical hardware configuration or interactive tools. It's one of the most important pillars of DevOps.

  • The Problem: Traditionally, setting up a new server was a slow, manual process that was impossible to replicate perfectly every time, leading to "configuration drift" and errors.
  • The Solution: With IaC tools like Terraform or Ansible, you write a code file that defines your infrastructure (e.g., "I need 3 web servers, 1 database, and a load balancer").

  • The Benefits:

    • Automation: You can build or destroy an entire, complex production environment in minutes with one command.

    • Consistency: The code is the single source of truth. Every environment built from the code (Dev, Test, Prod) is 100% identical.

    • Version Control: You can store your infrastructure code in Git, just like application code. This gives you a full history of every change, the ability to peer-review changes, and the option to "roll back" to a previous version.

• What is the difference between Docker and Kubernetes?

  Docker and Kubernetes work together, but they do very different jobs. Docker is a tool for creating and running a single container, while Kubernetes is a tool for managing thousands of containers at scale.

  • The Analogy: Docker is like a single shipping container. It's a standardized box that you can put your application inside, and it will run the same way anywhere.
  • Kubernetes's Role: Kubernetes is the shipping port, the cargo ship, and the logistics network. It's the system that orchestrates all the shipping containers, telling them which ship (server) to go on, how many containers are needed, and replacing any that fall overboard (crash). 
  • How They Work Together: You use Docker to build your application into a container "image." You then give that image to Kubernetes and tell it, "Run three copies of this container, make sure they can talk to each other, and keep them running 24/7."

• What is the real salary a DevOps engineer can expect in 2026?

  DevOps engineer salaries are among the highest in the tech industry, reflecting the role's high demand and critical skillset. Compensation in the United States for 2025 shows a very high earning potential, especially for those with experience and specialized skills.

  • Average Salary: Recent market data from Q1 2025 places the average salary for a DevOps Engineer at $144,290 per year.
  • High-End Range: Senior or specialized DevOps engineers can earn as much as $230,000 per year.
  • Specialization Premium: The market shows a clear "specialization premium." Roles like Platform Engineer and Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), which are evolutions of DevOps, command even higher salaries.
  • AI Premium: Professionals who can combine DevOps/Platform skills with AI/ML knowledge (AIOps, MLOps) are in the highest demand and command the absolute top-tier salaries in the market.

• What are the most in-demand skills for a DevOps job in 2026?

  The most in-demand skills for 2026 go beyond basic automation and reflect the evolution of the role into a more strategic, platform-oriented function.

  • AI and ML are the single biggest skill gaps identified by tech leaders (44%). For DevOps, this means AIOps (using AI to monitor systems) and MLOps (building CI/CD pipelines for AI models).
  • Cybersecurity (DevSecOps) is the second major gap (30%). Companies are demanding that security be automated and integrated into the pipeline (DevSecOps), not bolted on at the end.
  • Kubernetes & Containers are no longer optional. Proficiency in Docker and Kubernetes is a baseline expectation for almost all modern DevOps jobs.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is critical. Deep knowledge of Terraform is one of the most requested skills in job postings, as it's the standard for building cloud infrastructure.
  • Cloud Platform Fluency is essential. Expertise in at least one major cloud (AWS, Azure, or GCP) is required, as this is where the infrastructure is being built.

• What does the career path for a DevOps engineer look like?

  A DevOps engineer has a dynamic and high-growth career path with opportunities to specialize or move into leadership. The role is a launchpad into some of the most senior and highest-paid positions in technology.

  • Entry-Level (Transition): Most people don't start as a DevOps engineer. They begin as a Software Developer or Systems Administrator and then transition into a Junior DevOps Engineer role.
  • Mid-Level: After a few years, you become a DevOps Engineer or Senior DevOps Engineer, where you are responsible for building and maintaining the core automation pipelines.
  • Specialization Track: From there, you can specialize into roles like:
    • Site Reliability Engineer (SRE): To focus on reliability, scalability, and performance.
    • Platform Engineer: To build and manage the internal tools and platforms for all other developers.
    • DevOps Architect: To design the entire, end-to-end DevOps and cloud strategy for the organization.
  • Management Track: You can also move into leadership as a DevOps Manager or Director of Platform Engineering, leading teams and strategy.

• How do I become a DevOps engineer if I have no experience?

  It's challenging to get a DevOps engineer job with zero technical experience, as it's not a typical entry-level role. The most successful path is to get a foundational IT job first, master it, and then pivot into DevOps by building the required skills.

  • Step 1: Get a Foundation: Start as a Linux Systems Administrator, Helpdesk/Support Engineer, or a Junior Software Developer (especially in Python). This gives you the core technical skills (Linux, networking, coding) that all DevOps roles rely on.
  • Step 2: Learn the Core DevOps Skills: While in your foundational role, you must self-study. Learn Git, basic Python or Bash scripting, Docker, and an IaC tool like Terraform.
  • Step 3: Automate Your Current Job: The best way to get experience is to create it. Find repetitive tasks in your current job (e.g., setting up servers, running reports) and automate them using the tools you've learned. This builds a real-world portfolio.
  • Step 4: Get Certified: A structured program or certification (like CKA for Kubernetes or a cloud certification) proves to employers that you are serious and have validated skills, helping you bridge the gap from your old role to your first DevOps job.

• Is a DevOps certification worth it in 2026?

  Yes, in a competitive market, a high-quality certification is extremely valuable. It serves two primary purposes: it provides a structured learning path for you, and it acts as a credible, third-party validation of your skills for employers.

  • For Career Changers: A certification is the most effective way to signal to recruiters that you have successfully upskilled from a previous role (like SysAdmin) and are ready for a DevOps position.
  • Validating Complex Skills: Tools like Kubernetes are complex. A Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification is highly respected because it's a difficult, hands-on exam that is very hard to pass without genuine expertise.
  • Cloud-Specific Knowledge: Certifications from AWS, Azure, or GCP (like the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer) are in high demand because they prove you can apply DevOps principles on the specific platform a company uses.
  • Salary Impact: Market data shows that certified professionals, particularly in cloud and security, often command higher salaries and have more negotiating power than their non-certified peers.