What Is a Devops Engineer Contract and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a DevOps engineer hired on a contract basis, you help with the development and operations of a software project for a company or client. In this role, you may help configure software, troubleshoot problems, manage user communications, and help ensure smooth deployments for updates. You often work with existing software instead of creating it from scratch. The duration of each contract varies but normally lasts anywhere from three months to one year. Software development usually takes time, so extended contracts are noticeably more common in this field. Some contract DevOps engineer jobs are remote.

The qualifications to get a contract job as a DevOps engineer typically include a bachelor's degree in a technical discipline plus several years of experience with software development and operations. Many people in this field gain experience in full-time positions before working as independent contractors. Some employers consider your experience in lieu of a degree. It’s recommended you create a digital portfolio that demonstrates your DevOps abilities to potential clients. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of this job also requires communication, research, and coding skills, as well as the flexibility to adapt to the needs of both fixed period and ongoing projects.