Cloud Engineer vs. Software Engineer: A Career Comparison

The origin of software engineering can be traced back to the days of programming early computing systems in the 1940s. Since then, the field has evolved into developing complex applications that power everything from smartphones to AI systems.

Today’s evolving field of information and digital engineering imposes a synergy between software and cloud engineers who, in the energy sector, cooperate in developing innovative software, optimizing performance, and contributing to sustainable energy solutions.

Introduction to the comparative analysis based on career opportunities at Shell

Shell’s position as a global leader in the energy industry and our vision for digital transformation offer several career opportunities for cloud and software engineers.

While both roles are indispensable for our mission of contributing to bringing efficient and sustainable energy solutions globally, they each have distinct focuses within our working environment.

In this comparative analysis, we’ll explore the career paths, skill sets, and growth potential for both cloud and software engineers at Shell. Discover the mutual benefits, supportive environment, and diverse challenges you'll face as a Shell engineer as you initiate your career with us.

What is a cloud engineer?

Definition and key responsibilities

A cloud engineer is an IT professional who primarily focuses on designing, developing, and managing cloud-based systems. The role of a cloud software engineer is to ensure that their company’s cloud infrastructure is reliable, scalable, and secure.

Some of their job responsibilities include:

• Planning and designing the structure of cloud environments to suit organization needs.
• Setting up and configuring cloud services like storage, computing, and databases.
• Optimizing cloud services to ensure that they’re running efficiently and optimally via updates and cost-saving measures.
• Developing and implementing backup measures and failover protocols to protect against system crashes and potential data loss.
• Implementing security protocols to protect data stored in the cloud.

Skills required and how they align with Shell’s digital transformation goals

Cloud engineers need to be proficient in cloud providers such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, or Amazon Web Services.

Further, managing cloud platforms demands a firm grasp of:

• Encryption and security protocols
• Scripting languages such as Python and PowerShell
• Networking concepts such as load balancing, DNS, and virtual private cloud (VPC) setup
• DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes.

Shell is dedicated to advancing its digital transformation, and a secure, efficient cloud infrastructure enables us to deploy remote operations and conduct data analyses that bring us closer to scalable, sustainable energy systems.

Relevant examples of cloud engineering projects at Shell

Our engineers at Shell work with cloud-based services to help optimize predictive maintenance across our operations. For example:

• Real-time sensor data lets us use cloud-based machine learning to predict and prevent equipment failures, minimizing downtime and cutting operational costs.
• Our “Digital Twins” technology creates cloud-based replicas of physical assets like oil rigs and refineries, enabling us to simulate different operations and remotely manage and optimize efficiency, reducing operational costs.

What is a software engineer?

Definition and core duties

Software engineers are developers focused on creating and maintaining software applications and systems, working on the back-end, front-end, or full-stack development of solutions that address specific business or other user needs.

At Shell, our software engineers build digital tools that help streamline energy production and improve operational efficiency. Their projects prioritize exploring new means of bringing to global communities energy systems that are reliable, effective, optimal, and environmentally sensitive.

A software engineer at Shell is responsible for:

• Creating software systems, including tools for resource management, automation, and data analysis, that support Shell’s global operations,
• Bug-testing, debugging, maintaining, updating, and upgrading software tools to meet the changing needs of Shell’s operations and
• Collaborating with cloud and data teams to improve operational efficiency through integrated systems based on big data analytics.

Required technical and soft skills

At Shell, software engineers are required to be experts at:

• Programming languages, such as Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, or C#, depending on the software they are working on,
• Database management, particularly databases like SQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB.
• API development, which is necessary for Shell’s different software systems to communicate and integrate effectively and
• Cybersecurity awareness, to protect Shell’s sensitive industrial data and mitigate the risks of cyberattacks.

While technical skills serve as the backbone of any software developer, at Shell, our inclusive, fast-moving, and technologically complex environment requires our engineers to be excellent at various soft skills, including, but not limited to:

• Clear communication skills to work as part of and collaborate with a large team of data scientists, engineers, and energy experts,
• Problem-solving skills to persist in the highly complex energy sector and solve technical problems under tight deadlines, and the
• Agility and adaptability to be able to pivot towards new projects or adjust existing systems rapidly.

Illustrate with examples from software projects within the energy sector at Shell

As part of our commitment to reducing the carbon footprint, we have been diligently developing cutting-edge software engineering technologies to remain at the forefront of providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions. For example, our software engineers:

• Develop real-time emissions monitoring platforms. These integrate with IoT sensors to track refinery emissions.
• Optimize energy production by monitoring weather and adjusting turbine and solar panel operations in real-time to maximize electricity generation, made possible with our energy management platform, which oversees wind and solar farm operations.

Comparing career paths

Growth opportunities in each field

Both software and cloud engineers contribute to Shell’s overarching goals of digital innovation and sustainable energy solutions.

Our employees follow a distinct career trajectory, taking on more responsibility as they become more experienced and familiar with our systems and mission.

If an employee demonstrates impeccable leadership skills, they may be considered for managerial or executive positions within the company. Their responsibilities will shift from within-project leadership to leading entire teams and spearheading strategic projects, influencing our direction toward sustainable energy solutions and digital innovation.

At Shell, we believe in nurturing talent and providing ample opportunities for career growth and development.

Typical career progression for cloud engineers vs. software engineers at Shell

Cloud engineers and software engineers begin their journey with us through our Shell Graduate Program, Assessed Internship Program, or our job postings. Their career progression is similar.

• Entry-level cloud engineers focus on setting up and maintaining Shell’s cloud infrastructure, particularly cloud security, networking, and storage solutions. They provide support to various business units for cloud-based services and work on automating tasks.
• Mid-level cloud engineers work on optimizing cloud environments, integrating cloud-native applications, and making scalable and secure cloud services available to other departments at Shell.
• Senior cloud engineers lead projects that involve multi-cloud strategies and create resilient infrastructures that support global operational demands. At this level, part of their responsibilities also includes mentoring junior cloud engineers.
• Entry-level software engineers focus on coding, debugging, and maintaining specific parts of Shell’s software systems. They collaborate with other experts to ensure the software runs smoothly within our infrastructure.
• Mid-level software engineers take on more complex projects, including designing, developing, and deploying custom applications, such as those involving artificial intelligence or machine learning integration that optimize energy production.
• Lead software engineers are responsible for leading teams and designing large-scale applications and systems; they are indispensable to our largest projects, including those targeting renewable energy solutions and emissions reduction.

Discuss mutual benefits and the supportive environment Shell offers for career growth

At Shell, our employees have access to numerous training programs, certification opportunities, and professional growth workshops to remain ahead in their fields. We encourage collaboration between our engineers, whose intertwined projects seamlessly interact.

For example, when our cloud engineers optimize cloud environments, our software engineers can leverage them to build more scalable applications. This synergy contributes to our ongoing efforts to develop innovative energy solutions and aims to enhance efficiency at a global scale.

Furthermore, our cloud engineers gain insight into the specific software needs of the energy sector and gain the necessary experience to build tailored cloud solutions. Our software engineers gain a deeper understanding of the underlying infrastructure that supports their applications, enhancing their strategies for efficient, cloud-optimized software development.

Educational Requirements and Skills Enhancement

Necessary educational background for both roles

At Shell, our cloud and software engineers share a fundamental understanding of computer systems, networking, and programming.

Entry-level positions require formal education; our cloud and software engineers often have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in:

• Computer science,
• Information technology,
• Computer engineering,
• Electrical engineering with a focus on software, or
• A closely related discipline.

We highly value certifications and hands-on experience, too. A cloud software engineer will benefit from certifications such as:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect/Cloud Practitioner for Amazon Web Services
• Solutions Architect Expert/Azure Administrator Associate for Microsoft Azure
• Professional Architect for Google Cloud
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator/DevOps Institute Certifications for DevOps

Further, we recommend our software engineers to pursue certifications in software development, such as the Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) or the Certified Scrum Developer (CSD).

A master’s degree is preferred for advanced roles; senior positions specializing in AI, ML, or big data are ready to welcome prospective employees with an MSc in computer science, software engineering, or data science.

Opportunities at Shell for continuous learning and skills advancement

At Shell, we empower our employees and nudge them towards a journey of continuous self- and professional development. Our partnership with leading educational institutes and tech firms allows them to access transformative courses in engineering, soft skills, and the latest technological advancements.

Our supportive environment views learning and growth as integral to its culture; beyond attending workshops and participating in projects, our employees continuously receive the necessary training and mentorship from their seniors to move up their career ladder.

We are determined to form well-equipped professionals who are ready to tackle the challenges of the future, drive innovation within the energy sector, and contribute to sustainable, reliable, and environmentally sensitive energy solutions.

Job Outlook and Future Trends

Industry demand for cloud and software engineers

The demand for cloud engineers and software engineers is rising across the tech industry, and Shell is no exception.

Employment for software developers, quality analysts, and testers is expected to grow by 17% between 2023 and 2033 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics

, much faster than the average for all jobs. Additionally, around 140,100 openings for these roles are anticipated annually, driven by workers transitioning into other careers or retiring.

Likewise, the outlook for cloud engineers is highly favorable. Careers in computer and information research, which are key components of cloud engineering, are projected to grow by 23% by 2032.

Future technologies and projects at Shell that highlight the importance of both roles

Both software and cloud engineers remain key players in driving our initiatives forward as we continue to enhance our cloud technologies and bring our transformative operations and sustainability goals to fruition.

AI-powered predictive maintenance, IoT systems, Digital Twins, and the rest of our advanced technologies for real-time data monitoring across refineries and offshore platforms rely on cloud infrastructure to manage vast datasets securely and efficiently. Our cloud engineers guarantee their seamless integration into our cloud environments.

Similarly, projects such as our electric vehicle charging network and renewable energy businesses stand on the expertise of our software engineers. They develop software that enables us to ensure that our sustainable solutions are not only effective but also accessible and reliable for users worldwide.