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IT Job Roles / DevOps & Automation

DevOps Engineer:
Skills, Certifications & Practice Tests

Discover what DevOps engineers do, how they automate software delivery and manage reliable cloud systems, and which certifications match your experience. Explore MeasureUp practice tests for GitHub Actions, Microsoft DevOps, AWS, DevSecOps and platform administration.

The role at a glance
01
Automate delivery pipelinesBuild, test and deploy software through repeatable CI/CD workflows.
02
Define infrastructure as codeProvision environments consistently through version-controlled templates.
03
Improve observabilityWatch metrics, logs and reliability signals to detect and resolve issues.
04
Secure every releaseIntegrate code, dependency and secret checks into software delivery.
25+ years in certification prep
10M+ tests taken
Practice + Certification Modes
Answer explanations & reporting
Role explained

What does a DevOps Engineer do?

A DevOps engineer connects development and operations to make software delivery faster, safer and more repeatable. The role combines CI/CD automation, cloud infrastructure, observability, secure deployment practices and collaboration. Responsibilities may overlap with platform engineering or site reliability engineering (SRE), depending on the company.

01

CI/CD pipelines & releases

Build and maintain automated build, test, approval and deployment workflows using GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps.

02

Infrastructure as code (IaC)

Provision and update infrastructure from version-controlled definitions using tools such as Terraform, Bicep or CloudFormation.

03

Containers & cloud platforms

Deploy and operate cloud services, containers and workload environments with consistent release controls.

04

Observability & incident response

Use logs, metrics, traces, alerts and recovery procedures to improve service reliability and resolve incidents.

05

DevSecOps & supply chain security

Apply least-privilege access, secret management, dependency checks and code scanning throughout delivery.

06

Git, scripting & collaboration

Use Git, APIs and scripting to reduce manual work and coordinate with software, security and operations teams.

DevOps Engineer vs. Software Developer

DevOps engineers focus on delivery automation, environments and operational feedback. Software developers primarily design and implement application features; the two roles collaborate closely.
Explore Software Developer →

DevOps Engineer vs. IT Engineer

DevOps engineers build automation into the software delivery lifecycle. IT engineers may focus more on implementing and troubleshooting infrastructure and networks. The responsibilities can overlap in cloud-focused organizations.
Explore IT Engineer →

Your DevOps career path

How to become a DevOps Engineer

There is no single mandatory qualification. Build a base in software development and systems, create working automation projects, learn cloud reliability and security practices, and choose a certification aligned with your platform and responsibilities.

01

Learn Git, scripting & cloud basics

Understand Git workflows, Linux or Windows administration, networking, HTTP, Python or shell scripting, and one cloud platform.

Practice Git and CLI workflows in a real repository
02

Build a complete CI/CD workflow

Build a project that runs tests on pull requests, creates artifacts and deploys to a staging environment with approvals.

Demonstrate tests, approvals and a repeatable deployment
03

Automate infrastructure & operations

Manage environments using IaC, reusable templates, access controls, secrets and reproducible deployment patterns.

Keep environments and secrets controlled by policy
04

Measure reliability and certify strategically

Add logs, alerts and rollback drills. Choose GH-200 for GitHub Actions, AZ-400 for Microsoft DevOps or DOP-C02 for advanced AWS delivery.

Use runbooks, DORA metrics and targeted practice tests
Match certification to your DevOps focus

DevOps Engineer skills: practice tests and certifications

Choose preparation based on the tools and work you want to do: CI/CD, cloud deployment, secure automation or platform administration. These six MeasureUp Practice Tests support related paths, but they are not interchangeable or mandatory for every DevOps role.

Core CI/CD automation GH-200

GitHub Actions

Practice workflow automation, reusable actions, runners, pipeline security and enterprise-scale CI/CD.

View practice test
Microsoft DevOps expert AZ-400

Microsoft DevOps Solutions

Prepare for source control, build and release pipelines, security, instrumentation and delivery collaboration.

View practice test
Advanced AWS DevOps DOP-C02

AWS DevOps Engineer - Professional

Practice AWS deployment automation, monitoring, IaC, resilient services and incident response.

View practice test
DevSecOps specialization GH-500

GitHub Advanced Security

Focus on secret scanning, Dependabot, CodeQL and protecting code throughout delivery workflows.

View practice test
Platform administration GH-100

GitHub Administration

Prepare for permissions, organization policies, repository administration and enterprise workflow governance.

View practice test
Azure operations foundation AZ-104

Microsoft Azure Administrator

Strengthen Azure compute, storage, networking, identity and monitoring knowledge relevant to DevOps.

View practice test
Choose by platform and experience. GH-200 focuses on GitHub Actions, AZ-400 on Microsoft DevOps, and AWS DOP-C02 on advanced AWS delivery. GH-500 covers DevSecOps, while GH-100 and AZ-104 provide complementary administration skills. Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert requires AZ-400 plus an eligible prerequisite certification; confirm the current accepted route with Microsoft. MeasureUp lists its AZ-400 Practice Test as last updated in August 2024, so check alignment with the latest exam objectives before purchasing. Retired AWS SOA-C02 and older Terraform TA-003 material are not recommended here as preparation for current exam versions. Review Microsoft DevOps certification requirements.
Why MeasureUp

Practice DevOps knowledge. Identify the gaps that matter.

Hands-on pipelines and incident drills build operational skills; certification practice adds structured feedback. MeasureUp helps you assess concepts, target weaker exam domains and revisit progress before scheduling an exam.

01

Exam-style simulation

Use timed Certification Mode to assess knowledge against the objectives of your selected certification exam.

02

Focused DevOps learning

Customize Practice Mode to focus on automation, infrastructure, security or cloud operations topics.

03

Explanations & references

Understand correct and incorrect answers, then follow the supporting references for deeper study.

04

Readiness reporting

Use exam-domain results to compare attempts and prioritize your next study session; team features vary by plan.

One platform. Two ways to prepare.

Growing as a DevOps Engineer or upskilling your team?

Prepare for GitHub, Azure or AWS DevOps certifications individually, or support consistent skills development and reporting across delivery, operations and platform teams.

For individuals

Build the automation skills behind reliable releases.

Start with GitHub Actions or cloud administration, then move into expert DevOps or secure-delivery certifications that fit your experience and goals.

Practice and Certification Modes
Detailed explanations and references
Track progress across selected DevOps exams
Explore individual plans
For engineering & delivery teams

Make DevOps certification readiness easier to manage.

Use business access and learner reporting to support software delivery, operations, cloud and DevSecOps teams without losing sight of individual progress.

Team access and license management
Scores and objective-level reporting
Flexible solutions for different team sizes
Explore business solutions
Quick answer

What does a DevOps Engineer do?

A DevOps engineer automates the way software is built, tested, released and operated. The role connects developers and operations teams, using version control, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, security controls, monitoring and incident response to deliver changes reliably.

Typical tools include GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps for automation; cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure; IaC tools; and logs, metrics and tracing for operations. DevOps is a set of collaborative practices rather than a single tool or certification. DORA recommends measuring delivery throughput and instability using five complementary software delivery performance metrics.

DevOps career FAQs

Common questions about DevOps engineering careers

Practical answers on DevOps responsibilities, certification paths, CI/CD, secure pipelines and exam preparation.

What does a DevOps Engineer do?
A DevOps engineer improves software delivery and operations by automating builds, testing, releases, infrastructure provisioning and monitoring. The role involves collaborating across development, operations and security rather than simply administering one tool.
How can I become a DevOps Engineer?
Build foundations in Git, scripting, Linux or Windows, networking and one cloud platform. Create a working CI/CD project, use infrastructure as code, practice monitoring and incident response, and choose a certification aligned with your hands-on experience.
Which skills are most important for DevOps Engineers?
CI/CD, version control, IaC, cloud operations, scripting, containers, monitoring, security controls, troubleshooting and collaboration. Common tools include GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Terraform, Docker and Kubernetes, depending on the role.
What is the difference between DevOps Engineer and Software Developer?
Software developers focus primarily on building application features and services. DevOps engineers focus on enabling reliable integration, testing, delivery, infrastructure automation and operational feedback. The responsibilities overlap and both work together throughout the software lifecycle.
Is DevOps the same as Site Reliability Engineering (SRE)?
Not exactly. DevOps emphasizes collaboration and automation across development and operations. SRE applies software engineering approaches to operations with strong focus on reliability, observability, incident response and service objectives. They share many practices.
Should I choose GitHub Actions GH-200 or Microsoft AZ-400?
Choose GH-200 if your goal is hands-on GitHub Actions workflow automation and management. Choose AZ-400 for broader expert-level Microsoft DevOps processes, pipelines, security and instrumentation. They cover different scopes and neither is a universal prerequisite for the other.
What are the prerequisites for Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert?
Microsoft requires passing AZ-400 and holding an accepted prerequisite certification. Azure Administrator Associate is one route. As Microsoft certification paths change, check the official certification requirements rather than relying on older AZ-204 references.
Is AWS DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 suitable for beginners?
DOP-C02 is a professional-level AWS certification designed for practitioners with hands-on experience operating and automating AWS systems. Beginners are better served by fundamentals, cloud administration and practical deployment projects before attempting this advanced exam.
Can companies track DevOps certification readiness with MeasureUp?
MeasureUp offers business purchasing, access administration and reporting options. Managers can review available score and exam-objective reports for learners, subject to the selected solution and user permissions. Certification preparation should complement practical delivery and reliability measurements.
Build data that works

Ready to build your DevOps Engineer career?

Choose a certification aligned with your tools, practice its exam objectives and keep building reliable automation projects that demonstrate your skills.

Career and certification references

Career guidance: Microsoft Learn DevOps Engineer role, DORA five delivery performance metrics, and DORA platform engineering guidance. Responsibilities vary by organization, cloud platform and technical specialization.

Certification guidance: Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert, AWS DevOps Engineer Professional, and GitHub Actions, Advanced Security and Administration certifications. Verify certification status, prerequisites and exam-version coverage before purchasing.

MeasureUp resources: Practice Test modes, Seats for teams and business solutions. Independent practice tests help assess exam knowledge but do not contain live exam questions or replace hands-on CI/CD, cloud and security experience.