Google Cloud Jobs: Career Paths, Salaries, and More

Cloud computing uses a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, process, and manage data rather than a local server or a personal computer. It provides shared resources, software, and information to computers and devices on demand.

Companies like Google and Amazon can offer these services because they have invested heavily in infrastructure, which allows them to provide low-cost storage and computing power to other businesses and corporations.

As such, it’s no surprise that Google Cloud is one of the world’s leading providers of cloud computing services. Google Cloud offers a wide range of products and services that enable their customers to run their applications on Google’s infrastructure.

More than ever, businesses rely on cloud computing — a powerful tool that can help companies grow. But, what kind of jobs are available in this field?

If you’re looking for a career in cloud computing or if you’re already an experienced developer or engineer looking for a new challenge, then this article is for you. We’ll look at some of the most common cloud jobs at Google Cloud Platform, where you can find open roles in consulting, engineering, and more.

Let’s dive in!

What is the Google Cloud Platform?

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a collection of cloud computing services offered by Alphabet, Inc.’s Google division. The GCP was first announced in March 2008 as App Engine, an application programming interface (API) service that allows developers to create applications that run on the company’s infrastructure.

The platform has since grown to include additional services like Compute Engine and Cloud Storage, allowing businesses to utilize GCP’s infrastructure for their purposes.

Most of GCP’s products are available as a monthly subscription fee that can be billed on a pay-as-you-go basis or as part of a long-term contract; however, some features require an upfront investment before they become available.

Cloud computing jobs at Google primarily focus on cloud infrastructure and applications. The most common path for entry-level employees is to start as a software engineer and progress into more senior roles.

What are Cloud Computing Services?

Cloud computing services is the general term for all the software and hardware provided to corporations, government agencies, and individuals to store data and run applications in a remote location. The “cloud” refers to the internet — specifically, the way that data is dispersed across servers across the globe.

Cloud computing services are typically divided into three different categories:

• Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
• Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

Cloud computing has changed how we do business by providing a cost-saving model for companies that can now scale up or down as needed based on their needs and usage. Cloud computing also offers more flexible opportunities for collaboration between employees because they work from home or remotely from anywhere around the world. 

5 Interesting Facts About the Google Cloud Platform

• Google Drive is the world’s most popular cloud storage service, with 94.44 percent of users.
• Google Cloud generated $19 billion USD in revenue in 2021, approximately seven percent of Google’s total revenue.
• In 2022, the Google Workspace cloud productivity platform will reach 2 billion users.
• Over 100 zettabytes of data will be stored in the cloud by 2025. In simple terms, a zettabyte is a billion terabytes (or a trillion gigabytes).
• Regarding market share, Amazon Web Services is the world’s largest cloud computing company. The Amazon Web Services subsidiary holds 31 percent of the market, followed by Microsoft Azure at 20 percent and Google Cloud at seven percent.

Google Cloud Jobs: Potential Career Paths

With all this growth, it’s no surprise that more people are interested in working at Google Cloud. In fact, according to Glassdoor, Google is one of the top three most desirable places to work in 2022. With so many people wanting to work there, figuring out what opportunities exist within this growing company can be challenging.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career at Google Cloud but aren’t sure what kind of roles are available or where they fall within the organization’s structure, here are some potential career paths you may want to consider.

Cloud Software Engineers

Cloud Software Engineers are tasked with building and maintaining applications that run in the cloud. They may work on any part of the application lifecycle, from design to deployment and maintenance. They usually work closely with a team of other developers and architects to help them build their applications. 

Cloud Software Engineers work in teams, so communication skills are essential. These engineers should be familiar with common coding languages like Python or C++. Most companies also require experience with NoSQL databases and distributed systems like MapReduce or Redis.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a Cloud Software Engineer at Google is $144,783.

Cloud Security Analyst

Cloud Security Analysts are responsible for monitoring and detecting threats on cloud-based systems. They must know how to identify vulnerabilities or weaknesses in computer systems, software, or network infrastructure and how to fix them.

Cloud Security Analysts may also perform other tasks related to managing cybersecurity issues, such as testing new software releases or performing penetration tests against a system’s security measures. They do this by performing tasks like analyzing log files, network traffic, and other data to identify potential threats. They also work closely with developers to ensure that applications are secure before they go live.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a Cloud Security Analyst in the United States is $112,750.

Cloud Automation Engineer

Cloud Automation Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining automation tools that help developers and operations teams manage cloud resources. They use a combination of tools to create solutions that automate the deployment of new applications, the management of existing ones, and the maintenance of infrastructure.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a Cloud Automation Engineer in the United States is $134,420.

Cloud Software Architect

Cloud Software Architects design and develop software for cloud-based applications. They work with other developers, architects, and project managers to create a blueprint for the system’s architecture. They also ensure the software is scalable and secure enough to run on the cloud platform.

Cloud Software Architects must have extensive knowledge of different programming languages.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Cloud Software Architect in the United States is $124,657 annually.

Cloud Consultant

Cloud Consultants are the bridge between clients and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) experts. They understand clients’ technical needs and translate those into explicit, actionable requests for the GCP team.

Consultants help clients get the most out of GCP by ensuring they have a complete understanding of what is possible with each product. This can include assisting clients in choosing the right products for their needs and educating them on how to use them effectively.

Cloud Consultants work with customers on their projects or as part of a larger team providing support, education, and training.

According to Talent, the average salary for a cloud consultant in the United States is $130,000 annually.

Google Cloud Jobs: Salaries at a Glance

Google Cloud Jobs: How to Get a Job

Google Cloud is one of the fastest-growing cloud companies in the world. With thousands of open positions, getting hired at Google Cloud has never been more accessible. But, it’s no walk in the park, and to get hired at Google, you need to know your stuff and prove that you’re the best at your job. You’ll be competing with thousands of applicants who might have a similar experience as you or the same certification, so you should know how to stand out from the rest.  

Below are some tips on how to find your dream job at Google Cloud.

Pick the Correct Cloud Computing Certification

Cloud computing certifications are one way to get started. Many certifications can help you land a cloud engineer or architect job. However, not all of them are created equally. Some are better than others, and some are more relevant than others, depending on your career goals.

Here are five cloud computing certifications that will help you get in the door:

• Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Certification
• Amazon Web Services Certified SysOps Administrator Certification
• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) Certification
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) Certification

There is no substitute for knowledge when getting a job at Google Cloud. You need to know what you’re talking about before applying for any job, especially at Google Cloud. Make sure that whatever course you take aligns with your skill set and interests.

Build Experience

You need the right skills, experience, and education to get a job at Google.

To build experience:

• Get hands-on experience with data analytics tools like Python, R, TensorFlow, or Spark. You can also get exposure to cloud computing by working on open-source projects that use these tools.
• Learn about extensive data processing and storage systems like Apache Hadoop or Cassandra. This will help you understand how data is stored and processed in Google Cloud.
• Get familiar with the Google Cloud Platform’s core technologies, such as Compute Engine.

Build a Network

One of the best ways to find out about openings at Google Cloud is by connecting with people who know the company well: current employees, alumni, or recruiters. Building relationships with people in your industry is as vital as having industry-relevant skills. 

This can be done through internships, networking events, and volunteer gigs. You can also leverage social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to network with other individuals in your field.

Have Decent References

Google is famous for its rigorous hiring process, and there’s no doubt that it expects employees to be the best of the best. But, as with any company, it’s essential to have references who can vouch for you. Suitable references will help you get through the application process faster and more efficiently.

Make sure that at least one of your references is someone who knows you well enough to speak highly of your work ethic, communication skills, and technical abilities.

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