We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Platform Engineer

Platform Engineers are specialists on whose shoulders lies the responsibility of designing, building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports applications and services. They are the brains behind the scenes, ensuring that users have a seamless and efficient experience while interacting with the platform.

Read more

Platform Engineers are specialists on whose shoulders lies the responsibility of designing, building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports applications and services. They are the brains behind the scenes, ensuring that users have a seamless and efficient experience while interacting with the platform.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a Platform Engineer can vary depending on the size and complexity of the organization. However, some key responsibilities typically include:

  • Designing and building cloud-based infrastructure
  • Developing and implementing automation tools and processes
  • Managing and monitoring platform performance
  • Collaborating with developers and other teams to ensure platform alignment with business needs
  • Staying up-to-date with the latest cloud technologies and best practices

Skills and Qualifications

To become a Platform Engineer, individuals typically need a strong foundation in computer science and engineering principles, with a focus on cloud computing. They should also possess the following skills:

  • Proficient in programming languages such as Python, Java, or Go
  • Strong understanding of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
  • Experience in infrastructure automation tools such as Terraform or Ansible
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration

Career Growth

Platform Engineers can advance their careers by taking on leadership roles or specializing in specific areas of cloud computing, such as security or data management. With experience and additional certifications, they can progress to roles such as Cloud Architect or DevOps Engineer.

Transferable Skills

The skills developed as a Platform Engineer are highly transferable to other roles in the IT industry. These include:

  • Cloud computing expertise
  • Infrastructure automation
  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking
  • Collaboration and communication

Projects

Individuals interested in pursuing a career as a Platform Engineer can undertake various projects to enhance their practical skills. This includes:

  • Building and deploying cloud-based applications
  • Automating infrastructure management tasks
  • Developing tools to improve platform efficiency
  • Contributing to open-source projects related to cloud computing

Personal Growth

Platform Engineering offers significant opportunities for personal growth. By working on complex technical challenges and collaborating with diverse teams, individuals can develop their leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. They also gain a deep understanding of cloud computing and its applications across various industries.

Personality Traits and Interests

Individuals who excel as Platform Engineers typically possess the following personality traits and interests:

  • Strong technical aptitude and passion for cloud computing
  • Analytical mindset and problem-solving orientation
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Continuous learning mindset and willingness to adapt to new technologies
  • Collaborative and team-oriented nature

Online Courses

Online courses offer a flexible and accessible way to gain the skills and knowledge required for a career as a Platform Engineer. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including cloud computing fundamentals, infrastructure automation, and platform design. By engaging in online courses, individuals can develop a solid foundation in the field and enhance their competitiveness in the job market.

Online courses typically incorporate various learning methods such as video lectures, hands-on projects, quizzes, and discussions. This comprehensive approach allows learners to grasp complex concepts, apply them in practical scenarios, and receive feedback on their progress. Moreover, online courses provide the flexibility to learn at one's own pace and schedule, ensuring that individuals can balance their learning with other commitments.

While online courses alone may not be sufficient to qualify for all Platform Engineer roles, they can significantly contribute to one's career prospects. By leveraging online courses to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge, individuals can enhance their chances of success in this growing and in-demand field.

Share

Help others find this career page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Salaries for Platform Engineer

City
Median
New York
$198,000
San Francisco
$180,000
Seattle
$160,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$198,000
San Francisco
$180,000
Seattle
$160,000
Austin
$166,000
Toronto
$184,000
London
£98,000
Paris
€71,000
Berlin
€140,000
Tel Aviv
₪536,000
Singapore
S$140,000
Beijing
¥475,000
Shanghai
¥646,000
Shenzhen
¥722,000
Bengalaru
₹1,144,000
Delhi
₹500,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Platform Engineer

Take the first step.
We've curated 19 courses to help you on your path to Platform Engineer. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing concepts, technologies, and architectures. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this rapidly growing field.
Provides a practical guide to Kubernetes, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics such as cluster management and autoscaling. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Kubernetes and how to use it to manage containerized applications.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Docker, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics such as Docker Compose and Docker Swarm. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Docker and how to use it to build and deploy applications.
Focuses on the strategic aspects of platform businesses, providing practical guidance for business leaders on how to build and manage successful platforms, making it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and executives.
Provides a hands-on guide to cloud computing. It covers a wide range of topics, including cloud architecture, cloud services, and cloud security.
Provides a practical guide to developing and executing a platform strategy. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn more about how to create and manage successful digital platforms.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud native patterns, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics such as service mesh and serverless computing. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about cloud native patterns and how to use them to build and deploy applications in the cloud.
Provides a practical guide to building microservices using Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm. It covers everything from designing and developing microservices to deploying and managing them in production. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about microservices and how to use them to build scalable and resilient applications.
Explores the economic implications of platform businesses, examining how they create value and disrupt traditional industries, offering insights for businesses and policymakers seeking to understand the sharing economy.
Examines the impact of digital platforms on innovation, exploring how platform business models are shaping the way businesses create and capture value, making it relevant for researchers and practitioners interested in innovation and digital transformation.
Provides insights into the leadership challenges and opportunities in the context of platform businesses, making it a valuable resource for executives and entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the complexities of platform ecosystems.
Provides a comprehensive overview of platform thinking, discussing how it can be used to drive innovation and create new value in the digital age.
Provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and leveraging software platforms to create value and drive business success.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Docker, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics such as Docker Swarm and Docker Compose. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Docker and how to use it to build and deploy applications.
Provides a sociological perspective on the rise of network societies, examining the impact of digital technologies and platforms on society, culture, and the economy, offering a broader context for understanding the role of platforms in the modern world.
Explores the strategies and best practices of successful platform companies. It provides valuable insights for anyone who wants to build or manage a platform business.
Provides a practical guide to Kubernetes, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics such as cluster management and autoscaling. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Kubernetes and how to use it to manage containerized applications.
Provides a theoretical framework for understanding platform ecosystems. It examines the different types of platform ecosystems, the roles of different actors in these ecosystems, and the dynamics of platform competition.
Critically examines the role of software platforms in society, arguing that they have led to increased inequality and a loss of privacy.
Provides a practical guide to Kubernetes for beginners, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics such as cluster management and autoscaling. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Kubernetes and how to use it to manage containerized applications.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser