Hire DevOps Developers

The DevOps engineer is one of the most sought-after positions in the tech industry, yet it remains highly specialized and difficult to fill. According to research conducted by CodinGame, this job ranks among the top three most challenging positions for recruiters to hire. If you want to find the right talent, you need to be sure that your company will get the best DevOps expertise.

However, there’s promising news for the future. DevOps practices are among the top five skills that developers are eager to learn, making it easier to meet future demand. Additionally, the rise of globalization and digital technologies has opened up the opportunity to hire remote professionals with the same qualifications as local talent, broadening the talent pool significantly.

The global DevOps market was valued at $8.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow substantially.

How to Find the Right DevOps Engineer

This guide will help you to find the perfect DevOps engineer and give a targeted approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the hiring process:

1. Understand the Skills You Need A DevOps engineer should have a strong knowledge in software development, IT operations, and system administration. Key skills include proficiency in automation tools, cloud platforms, containerization, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Look for candidates who have experience with popular tools such as Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS.
2. Look for Problem-Solving Abilities DevOps engineers are not only technical experts but also critical thinkers who can solve complex problems. During the hiring process, assess candidates’ ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently. A good DevOps engineer can anticipate problems before they arise and implement proactive solutions to keep systems running smoothly.
3. Assess Cultural Fit DevOps is about collaboration between development and operations teams. Your ideal team member should possess strong communication and teamwork skills. They should be ready to work effectively in cross-functional teams, they bridge the gap between departments and ensure smooth workflows and continuous delivery of high-quality software.
4. Expand Your Talent Search Thanks to the global market, you’re no longer limited to hiring local talent. Remote DevOps engineers can offer the same level of expertise as on-site employees, often at more competitive rates. Consider tapping into international talent pools to find the right fit for your team.
5. Evaluate Practical Experience Yes, certifications and educational qualifications are important, but hands-on experience is critical in the DevOps field. It`s better to look for candidates who have successfully implemented DevOps practices in real-world environments. Ask for specific examples of how they’ve automated workflows, reduced downtime, or improved software delivery timelines.
6. Leverage Recruitment Platforms A variety of online platforms and communities exist to help you find DevOps talent. Websites like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and LinkedIn can be great places to discover candidates who actively contribute to DevOps discussions and open-source projects.

Future Trends in DevOps Hiring

The demand for DevOps engineers grows and several trends shape the hiring process:

• There is increased focus on automation skills: Automation continues to be a core component of DevOps, and engineers with deep expertise in automating repetitive tasks will be in high demand.
• Cloud and hybrid solutions: Businesses increasingly move to cloud and hybrid infrastructures, so DevOps engineers need to be skilled in managing these environments will be especially valuable.
• Security and compliance: Many companies prioritize security, they hire DevOps engineers with experience in security practices (DevSecOps), as a result their compliance frameworks will become essential.

Hiring a DevOps Engineer: Top 4 Hiring Models

When hiring a DevOps engineer, companies can choose from four main hiring models: in-house hiring, outsourcing, staff augmentation, and freelance. Each model has its opportunities and challenges, and the right one depends on your business needs and resources.

In-house hiring

This option brings a full-time DevOps engineer onto your in-house team. It is ideal for companies who wants to build a strong team culture and ensure long-term commitment to their products. In-house engineers tend to be more motivated and dedicated since they are directly invested in the company’s success. They can explore your product in-depth and contribute to continuous development and innovation.

To find in-house DevOps talent, companies can attend tech conferences, hackathons, or partner with headhunting agencies. Additionally, using HR services to browse LinkedIn or posting job listings on platforms like AngelList or Glassdoor can attract candidates. However, simply posting a job opening may not yield the best candidates, as the current market doesn’t have a surplus of talent like in previous decades.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is one of the best option for companies that want to focus on their core business while delegating DevOps tasks to external teams. In this model, the external team is managed by your CTO or product owner, ensuring alignment with your project goals. Outsourcing gives you opportunity to tap into a larger talent pool without the need for in-house management of every team member.

While outsourcing companies carefully select their DevOps professionals, one drawback is that direct communication with each member of the external team can be limited. To find DevOps specialists through outsourcing, employers can explore platforms like Clutch or GoodFirms and review software development companies’ websites.

Staff Augmentation

Staff augmentation is like outsourcing, still the focus is on hiring DevOps engineers as full-time members of your team. These engineers will work directly under your management, providing you with more control over their day-to-day activities. This model allows you to hire talent quickly and flexibly, without the long-term commitment of in-house hiring.

With staff augmentation, you can use companies like Glorium Technologies, which connects employers with a vast base of vetted developers. This process is faster than in-house option; for instance, Glorium Technologies can provide a verified list of available DevOps engineers within 48 hours, it gives business access to a large pool of pre-qualified candidates.

Freelance

Freelancing offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness for short-term or project-based needs. Hiring freelance DevOps engineers can be a great way to scale up or down depending on your project requirements. Freelancers often work remotely and are available for temporary contracts, which can save you time and reduce overhead costs.

However, managing freelancers requires careful oversight to ensure alignment with your project goals and timelines. Platforms like Upwork or Toptal are good starting points for finding skilled freelance DevOps engineers.

Wrapping Up

The market continues to grow, expanding your search to global talent and focusing on candidates with proven experience can help you find the expert who will take your company’s development processes to the next level.

In this industry, finding top-tier talent can be challenging, but with the right approach, your business can secure the DevOps expertise it needs to succeed.