How to Become a Cloud Engineer

Imagine a world where every website you visit, every app you use, and every photo you upload on your phone runs smoothly, always accessible no matter where you are. All of this is made possible by the cloud and behind the scenes, turning this digital magic into reality, are the Cloud Engineers.

They are the ones who design and maintain the digital infrastructures that make our connected lives possible. If you’re passionate about tech, curious about how technologies work behind the scenes, and dreaming of a dynamic, well-paid, and constantly evolving career, you’re in the right place.
H-FARM College offers students a wide range of university programs designed for those who love technology, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship and want to turn that passion into a real and meaningful profession.

In this article, you’ll discover what a Cloud Engineer is, what they do, how much they earn in Italy and abroad, and most importantly, how to become a Cloud Engineer, starting from your studies to the skills and certifications you’ll need. Ready to find out if this is the right path for you?

What Is a Cloud Engineer?

A Cloud Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and manages IT infrastructures based on cloud technologies.

To put it simply, they build the invisible, yet essential, framework that supports our entire modern digital world: from streaming platforms and online banking services to apps, e-commerce systems, and multiplayer games.

This role blends skills in software development, networking, cybersecurity, and automation to build scalable, resilient, and optimized systems. A Cloud Engineer never works alone, they collaborate daily with developers, DevOps teams, data scientists, and project managers.

It’s a highly technical role, but it also requires an open mindset, strong problem-solving abilities, and a continuous drive to keep learning. Cloud technology evolves fast, and working in this field means staying curious and constantly updated.

What Does a Cloud Engineer Do Every Day?

Now that you have a clearer idea of what a Cloud Engineer is, you’re probably wondering: what does a Cloud Engineer do on a daily basis? Let’s dive into a typical day in the life of someone in this role, it might help you understand if this job is truly for you.

A Cloud Engineer’s work is extremely varied. Every day brings new challenges, but the main goal is always the same: making sure that digital platforms and services run smoothly and securely.

A typical day often starts by monitoring cloud server performance to ensure everything is running as expected. If any issues arise, like unexpected traffic spikes or service errors, the Cloud Engineer steps in with scalable solutions, such as increasing resources in real time or fixing configuration bugs.

Automation is a big part of the job. Cloud Engineers write scripts to automate repetitive tasks, build CI/CD pipelines for fast and secure code deployment, and manage highly customized virtual environments.

They also handle cybersecurity tasks: securing sensitive data, setting proper access controls, and responding promptly to potential vulnerabilities is a must.

Finally, if you become a Cloud Engineer, you’ll also be designing the infrastructures themselves, selecting the best services from platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and building tailored cloud environments for every project.

Does working in this kind of environment excite you? If you’d like to learn how to prepare for this career and find out whether it fits your goals, get in touch with the team at H-FARM College and speak directly with someone who can guide you in building your future in the world of cloud engineering.

Cloud Engineer vs Cloud Specialist: Understanding the Difference

While reading about what a Cloud Engineer does every day, you might have wondered: is that the same thing as a Cloud Specialist? It’s a common question and while the two roles can overlap, they actually serve different purposes.

A Cloud Engineer is, simply put, like a digital architect-engineer: hands-on, practical, and deeply technical. They code, configure servers, automate processes, and manage the infrastructure daily. Their work is very operational and action-oriented.

The Cloud Specialist, on the other hand, often plays a more strategic role. You’ll find them working closely with clients or company decision-makers, helping choose the best cloud solutions, analyzing cost-benefit strategies, and guiding cloud migrations. If the Cloud Engineer builds the engine, the Cloud Specialist decides how and where to drive it.

Of course, this can vary by company: in smaller teams, the two roles might blend, while in larger organizations they tend to be more specialized. Knowing the distinction can help you better decide which direction fits your interests and working style.

How to Become a Cloud Engineer: Education, Certifications, Skills

There’s no single route to becoming a Cloud Engineer but there are essential steps that can put you on the right track. A university degree in computer science or a related tech field is a solid foundation.

A great example is the Bachelor’s Degree in Software & Cloud Architecture at H-FARM College, designed specifically to train professionals ready to take on the challenges of cloud computing. This program blends theory and hands-on learning, with a strong focus on programming, cloud-native architecture, and DevOps methodologies, ideal for anyone dreaming of becoming a Cloud Engineer with robust technical skills.

Cloud Engineer Salary: How Much Can You Earn?

If you’re seriously considering this career path, it’s completely normal to wonder about your earning potential. The good news is, the Cloud Engineer salary is one of the main reasons why this job is gaining so much attention.

In Italy, entry-level Cloud Engineers typically earn between €28,000 and €32,000 gross per year. That’s a strong starting point for a junior position in the tech industry. And things move quickly: with 2–3 years of experience and a relevant certification, you could easily surpass €45,000. If you continue training, build expertise in complex projects, and master enterprise-level infrastructure, your salary could exceed €60,000 per year.

Internationally, the numbers are even more attractive. In countries like Germany or the Netherlands, mid-senior Cloud Engineers commonly earn between €70,000 and €90,000 per year. In the United States or Switzerland, earning over $100,000 annually is absolutely within reach.

And there’s more: many cloud-related roles are offered fully remote. That means you could work for a top global company… Without even leaving your home office!

Why Cloud Engineering Is One of the Most In-Demand Tech Careers

So why is the Cloud Engineer one of the most in-demand roles in tech today? The answer is simple: the cloud is the foundation of almost everything in the digital world.

Companies no longer want to invest in physical servers that are expensive to maintain and hard to scale. Instead, they’re turning to flexible, scalable, secure cloud solutions and behind these solutions, there’s always a Cloud Engineer.

Every day, startups, scaleups, and global corporations are looking for skilled professionals to design cloud infrastructures, migrate systems, automate processes, and ensure reliability. Demand is extremely high and more importantly, it’s outpacing supply. That means if you start learning today, you could enter the job market with a serious advantage.

According to LinkedIn and other recruiting platforms, the Cloud Engineer role is not only one of the most sought-after, but also one of the hardest to fill. And as technologies like AI, IoT, and machine learning continue to grow, cloud systems will only become more essential. 

If you’re looking for a career that’s solid, future-proof, and full of opportunities… you might have just found it. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with the H-FARM College team and start building your future in cloud and tech today.