Development operations (DevOps) engineer
Find out what a development operations (DevOps) engineer in government does and the skills you need to do the role at each level.
Last updated 31 May 2024 — See all updates
Contents
- — What a development operations (DevOps) engineer does
- — Development operations (DevOps) engineer role levels
- — 1. Apprentice DevOps engineer
- — 2. Junior DevOps engineer
- — 3. DevOps engineer
- — 4. Senior DevOps engineer
- — 5. Senior DevOps engineer - management
- — 6. Lead DevOps engineer
- — 7. Lead DevOps engineer - management
- — 8. Principal DevOps engineer
- — 9. Principal DevOps engineer - management
- — Roles that share development operations (devops) engineer skills
- — Senior Civil Service roles that development operations (devops) engineer could lead to
What a development operations (DevOps) engineer does
Commonly referred to as ‘DevOps engineers’, development operations engineers support the development and operation of software through tools, environments and practices.
In this role, you will be responsible for underpinning good development processes including managing tools and testing environments, central code control, maintaining development standards and writing software that automates systems.
Development operations (DevOps) engineer role levels
There are 9 development operations (devops) engineer role levels, from apprentice devops engineer to principal devops engineer - management.
The typical responsibilities and skills for each role level are described in the sections below. You can use this to identify the skills you need to progress in your career, or simply to learn more about each role in the Government Digital and Data profession.
1. Apprentice DevOps engineer
An apprentice DevOps engineer attends certified training and develops skills on the job.
At this role level, you will:
- spend a significant proportion of your time shadowing others
- be involved in implementation but not planning
- build on your knowledge
This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:
- AO (Administrative Officer)
- EO (Executive Officer)
Skill | Description |
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Availability and capacity management Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Programming and build (software engineering) Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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2. Junior DevOps engineer
A junior DevOps engineer learns on the job by building software components.
At this role level, you will:
- assist in the building of a complex story
- work under supervision
- be involved in implementation but not planning
This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:
- EO (Executive Officer)
- HEO (Higher Executive Officer)
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Programming and build (software engineering) Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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3. DevOps engineer
A DevOps engineer delivers automated software components that form part of a development operations toolchain.
At this role level, you will:
- transform technical requirements into DevOps processes
- build complex stories without additional support
- manage live test environments
- identify and resolve issues that are preventing delivery
This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:
- HEO (Higher Executive Officer)
- SEO (Senior Executive Officer)
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Development process optimisation Level: awareness Awareness is the first of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Programming and build (software engineering) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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4. Senior DevOps engineer
A senior DevOps engineer delivers and integrates software to form a complete DevOps toolchain. They are responsible for planning and designing large groups of stories.
At this role level, you will:
- transform technical requirements into an effective DevOps toolchain to enable product delivery
- provide coaching and mentoring to more junior colleagues
- ensure that deployment strategies for products are repeatable, scalable and highly available
- have deep technical knowledge, providing support to delivery teams and solving complex problems
There are 2 different roles at this level - a technical role and a management role.
This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:
- SEO (Senior Executive Officer)
- G7 (Grade 7)
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Development process optimisation Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Programming and build (software engineering) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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5. Senior DevOps engineer - management
A senior DevOps engineer delivers and integrates software to form a complete DevOps toolchain. They are responsible for planning and designing large groups of stories.
At this role level, you will:
- transform technical requirements into an effective DevOps toolchain to enable product delivery
- provide coaching and mentoring to more junior colleagues
- ensure that deployment strategies for products are repeatable, scalable and highly available
- have deep technical knowledge, providing support to delivery teams and solving complex problems
There are 2 different roles at this level - a technical role and a management role.
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Development process optimisation (management) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Programming and build (software engineering) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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6. Lead DevOps engineer
A lead DevOps engineer leads one or a small number of related project teams and contributes to the development of the strategic direction.
At this role level, you will:
- act as a technical product owner, developing medium to long term strategies for product lines
- provide technical leadership and guidance through coaching and mentoring
- lead the sharing of knowledge and good practice
There are 2 different roles at this level - a technical role and a management role.
This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:
- G7 (Grade 7)
- G6 (Grade 6)
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Development process optimisation Level: working Working is the second of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Programming and build (software engineering) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
7. Lead DevOps engineer - management
A lead DevOps engineer leads one or a small number of related project teams and contributes to the development of the strategic direction.
At this role level, you will:
- act as a technical product owner, developing medium to long term strategies for product lines
- provide technical leadership and guidance through coaching and mentoring
- lead the sharing of knowledge and good practice
There are 2 different roles at this level - a technical role and a management role.
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Development process optimisation (management) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Programming and build (software engineering) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
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8. Principal DevOps engineer
A principal DevOps engineer leads and plans development across large or multiple teams, defining the strategic vision for delivery.
At this role level, you will:
- identify, test and champion the adoption of emerging technologies
- ensure that security, stability and capacity are embedded in the development and deployment of services
- develop a team’s capability by rewarding high performers
- shape career paths and recruit the right talent
- identify skills gaps and important dependencies within technical teams
There are 2 different roles at this level - a technical role and a management role.
This role level is often performed at the Civil Service job grade of:
- G7 (Grade 7)
- G6 (Grade 6)
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Development process optimisation Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Programming and build (software engineering) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
9. Principal DevOps engineer - management
A principal DevOps engineer leads and plans development across large or multiple teams, defining the strategic vision for delivery.
At this role level, you will:
- identify, test and champion the adoption of emerging technologies
- ensure that security, stability and capacity are embedded in the development and deployment of services
- develop a team’s capability by rewarding high performers
- shape career paths and recruit the right talent
- identify skills gaps and important dependencies within technical teams
There are 2 different roles at this level - a technical role and a management role.
Skill | Description |
---|---|
Availability and capacity management Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Development process optimisation (management) Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Programming and build (software engineering) Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: expert Expert is the fourth of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Level: practitioner Practitioner is the third of 4 ascending skill levels |
You can:
|
Roles that share development operations (devops) engineer skills
Senior Civil Service roles that development operations (devops) engineer could lead to
Updates
Published 7 January 2020
Last updated 31 May 2024
31 May 2024
- The indicative job grades for the 'principal DevOps engineer' role level have been updated from 'G6' to 'G7 and G6'. This change is based on the latest data on the most common grades for these role levels across government.
31 July 2023
- Development operations (DevOps) engineer was moved to the new software development role group.
7 January 2020
- First published.