So, you're thinking about hiring a DevOps engineer in 2025—but not sure where to start? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It can sound a bit complicated at first, especially if you’re not too deep into tech stuff. But once you know what to look for, it’s not that hard.
What does a DevOps engineer actually do?
In plain words, a DevOps engineer is the person who helps your developers and IT team work together better. They make sure your website, app, or software runs smoothly, gets updated easily, and doesn’t go down often.
They also help automate boring or repetitive work so your team can focus on more important things. Think of them as the “bridge” that keeps your tech running without drama.
What should you look for?
1. Knows a bit of both worlds—coding and servers
A good DevOps person should understand how code works and how servers or cloud platforms work too. They don’t need to be a full-on expert in both, but they should know enough to connect the dots.
In 2025 and coming years, most companies will use cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure. So if someone’s used any of these, that’s a big plus.
2. Comfortable with automation tools
This is important.
One big part of DevOps is automation. That just means using tools to do stuff automatically instead of doing it by hand—like testing, deploying updates, or setting up servers.
You can simply ask:
“Have you worked with tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Terraform?”
If they say yes, that’s a good sign they know how to automate things.
3. Can explain things in a simple way
Your DevOps engineer will probably work with developers, managers, testers, and maybe even with you directly. So, they need to explain what they’re doing in a way that makes sense—even to non-tech people.
If they can talk clearly and avoid buzzwords, it means they’ll be easy to work with. You can test this during your chat—just ask them to explain something simple and see how they do it.
4. Calm when things break
Things go wrong in tech all the time. A good DevOps engineer doesn’t panic. They stay calm, look at the problem, and fix it.
You can ask:
“Can you tell me about a time something broke and how you handled it?”
Their answer will give you a good idea of how they handle stress.
5. Understands basic security
These days, security is super important. Your DevOps engineer doesn’t need to be a security expert, but they should know the basics—like keeping things updated, managing who has access, and keeping data safe.
If they’ve worked with security teams before or handled cloud security, that’s even better.
6. Good attitude > too many years of experience
Of course, experience helps. But honestly, sometimes someone with the right mindset is more valuable than someone with a super-long resume.
Look for someone who’s willing to learn, takes ownership, and works well with others. If they’re curious and have the right attitude, they’ll grow fast.
7. Fits in with your team
Lastly, think about how they’ll get along with the rest of your team. Are they friendly? Do they seem respectful and open-minded?
Skills can always be taught. But being a team player? That’s a must from day one.
Wrapping it up
You don’t need to be a tech pro to hire a great DevOps engineer. Just look for someone who:
- Knows how to connect code and infrastructure
- Uses automation to make life easier
- Communicates well
- Solves problems without drama
- Understands basic security
- Has the right attitude
- Fits in with your team
Hiring the right person can save you from a lot of future headaches. So take your time, ask simple questions, and trust your gut. You’ve got this!