“Cloud and devOps” has long been a constant buzzword used in IT hiring, yet despite its popularity, it is still one of the most widely misunderstood terms that has evolved significantly over time.
In 2026, when IT hiring managers say, “cloud and DevOps”, they’re looking for candidates who possess depth in operational thinking and cross team collaboration as well as the ability to design, automate, and continuously improve systems within cloud environments. This dynamic combination allows businesses to optimize for efficiency and streamline workflows for faster, more agile solutions.
However, a disconnect lies between employers and professionals. Employers use “cloud and devOps” as a broad, “catch-all” term, while professionals tend to specialize in specific tools and areas within it, leading to hiring challenges that can cause expectations to differ.
Breaking it Down: Cloud vs. DevOps
Cloud Computing
The cloud is where systems live, or in other words, the cloud “allows companies to store their infrastructures remotely via the internet, ultimately reducing costs and creating value” (McKinsey & Company). Cloud computing can be a less-expensive and faster computing solution because it removes the need for organizations to purchase, install, and maintain their own servers.
Because of these benefits, organizations have been rapidly adopting cloud computing, which is driving a high demand for cloud engineers who combine skills in software development and network infrastructure to design, integrate and monitor cloud computing systems.
DevOps (Development & Operations)
DevOps refers to how systems are built, deployed, and improved. Amazon Web Services defines DevOps as, “the combination of cultural philosophies, practices, and tools that increases an organization’s ability to deliver applications and services at high velocity”.
DevOps delivers speed, reliability, and scale through the automation of processes that have historically been manual and slow. In a world where fast and reliable solutions are keys to success, employers are increasingly looking for devOps engineers who use their skills in coding, infrastructure design, system administration, and network security to build and deploy software that accelerates business outcomes.
Combining Cloud & DevOps
Cloud and devOps go hand in hand – cloud engineers provide the tools, environment, and infrastructure, while devOps engineers use those tools to develop and automate processes that will speed up the delivery of business solutions.
So, when hiring managers say, “cloud and devOps” what they’re actually saying is, “Can you build, deploy, and maintain software using modern tools, infrastructure, and best practices?”
But there’s more. Employers are not just looking for technical execution, but for skills that are often less obvious to professionals.
Cloud & DevOps Goes Beyond Technical Skills
Automation is no longer a bonus in organizations; it’s an assumed baseline. Employers recognize this, and are responding by hiring IT candidates that possess more than just the technical skills needed to automate their operations.
When hiring managers say cloud and devOps, they’re not just asking if you have the right technical expertise anymore, they’re also asking if you have the right soft skills to work cross-functionally.
The top soft skills hiring managers quietly search for when they say cloud and devOps are:
- Communication – strong communication is essential for cloud & devOps teams to work efficiently together as they must be able to interpret complex technical information within their teams, and effectively translate it into non-technical language for professionals and stakeholders outside of their teams.
- Time management – cloud and devOps teams need to manage deliverables, deployments, and updates according to set timelines or strict deadlines.
- Collaboration (Teamwork) – cloud and devOps is designed to break down silos between teams. Effective and supportive collaboration between teammates is crucial for smooth work across roles and responsibilities.
- Adaptability – cloud and devOps practices, tools, and principles change constantly. Being able to quickly learn new technologies and adapt accordingly is essential for staying competitive.
Cloud and DevOps Disconnect Amidst Employers and IT Professionals
There is a common misalignment between employers and professionals surrounding cloud and devOps, leading to the widespread confusion that is hampering the IT hiring industry right now.
Hiring managers sometimes assume that candidates understand the full scope of both cloud and devOps, from architecture, automation, and security to deployment and operations. However, many IT professionals can interpret them differently depending on their experience, which is often narrower or tool specific.
This creates a gap where employers use “cloud and devOps” in job descriptions and interviews as a holistic, all-encompassing term, while professionals think of the specific tools and principles required for execution.
When job descriptions are not clear on their expectations, lacking a broader, more overarching understanding of the term, candidates are misplaced, and IT hiring challenges continue to bog down the delivery of fast, reliable, and agile solutions.
The Bottom Line
In order to clear up the confusion surrounding clouds and devOps, employers must clearly define their expectations and technical requirements, stating the scope of responsibility, level of ownership, and business outcomes the role is expected to deliver. These items should be reflected consistently across all interviews, job descriptions, and day-to-day role responsibilities.
Likewise, IT professionals can expand their view of how cloud and devOps practices can come together in real-world environments, so when an employer says, “cloud and devOps”, they think system design, automation, reliability, and cross-functional collaboration, in addition to the tools and platforms needed for execution.
