Top Cloud Computing Roles in High Demand

Organizations are significantly increasing their investment in cloud solutions, a trend projected to continue robustly into 2026. This strategic shift is primarily aimed at boosting employee productivity, accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and bolstering organizational security and governance, according to the 2025 CIO Cloud Computing Study by Foundry. The widespread adoption of cloud technologies is transforming how businesses operate and manage their digital assets.

Recent findings indicate a strong acceleration in cloud migration. The survey revealed that 70% of IT decision-makers report their organizations have expedited cloud migration over the past year, marking an increase from 62% in 2024 and 57% in 2023. This rapid pace underscores a fundamental reorientation towards cloud-first strategies. Furthermore, 70% of organizations now default to cloud-based services when upgrading or acquiring new technology, demonstrating a pervasive confidence in cloud infrastructure. This sustained investment is also yielding tangible financial benefits, with 71% of respondents acknowledging that cloud investments have contributed to sustained revenue growth in the past year. This growth in cloud adoption is creating a vibrant demand for specific cloud-centric roles, as identified by Foundry’s research.

Evolving Landscape of Cloud Security and Management

The pervasive shift to cloud environments has amplified the criticality of security and efficient system administration. As more sensitive data and critical applications reside in the cloud, specialized roles dedicated to protecting and managing these assets have become indispensable. These professionals ensure that cloud infrastructure remains resilient, secure, and compliant with evolving regulations.

Cloud Security Architects

Security architects play a crucial role in safeguarding an organization’s IT infrastructure. In a cloud context, their responsibilities extend to designing, building, and implementing robust security solutions specifically tailored for cloud-based infrastructure, data, and applications. Their expertise is vital in establishing a secure foundation for all cloud operations.

Key skills for these architects include comprehensive security architecture design, network security, and adherence to security compliance and governance frameworks. They must also be proficient in incident response, forensics, data encryption, and identity and access management (IAM). A growing emphasis is placed on automation and DevSecOps principles, integrating security throughout the development lifecycle. Foundry’s research indicates that 22% of businesses have specifically added security architect roles to support their cloud investments, highlighting the significant demand for this specialized expertise.

Cloud Systems Administrators

Cloud systems administrators are the backbone of cloud infrastructure management. Their duties encompass the general maintenance and administration of cloud environments, which involves implementing cloud-based policies, deploying patches and updates, and analyzing network performance. These IT professionals must possess a deep understanding of virtualized environments to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Essential skills for cloud systems administrators include a strong grasp of implementation and integration processes, security protocols, and configuration management. Familiarity with leading cloud software tools such as Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Exchange, and Office 365 is also critical. Reflecting their importance, 22% of companies have integrated cloud systems administrator roles into their teams as part of their broader cloud investment strategies.

Data Architects

Data architects are fundamental to structuring an organization’s data in a manner that facilitates easy access, robust security, and efficient storage, all while meeting specific business requirements. Given that the majority of business-critical data is now hosted in the cloud, these professionals are essential for enabling data analysis and informed business decision-making. They ensure data integrity and accessibility across diverse cloud platforms.

Their skill set includes data warehousing, scalability, performance optimization, and proficiency in automation and virtualization. Crucially, they must also be adept in data governance, cloud security, and data migration strategies, often working with hybrid cloud solutions. The demand for data architects mirrors that of security architects and cloud systems administrators, with 22% of businesses creating these roles to enhance their cloud capabilities.

Cloud Governance and Compliance Managers

Navigating the intricate landscape of security, governance, international regulations, and internal policies is the primary responsibility of cloud governance and compliance managers. They are tasked with identifying potential risks, deploying automated tools to monitor security and compliance, and ensuring that businesses uphold secure cloud operations. Their role is critical in mitigating legal and operational vulnerabilities.

A strong understanding of regulatory policies such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, along with other international data protection laws, is paramount for these professionals. Competence in utilizing tools like CSPM, Azure, AWS, and Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager, alongside other IT governance tools, is also essential. To address these complex needs, 20% of businesses have added cloud governance and compliance manager roles to their cloud initiatives.

Specialized Roles Driving Cloud Innovation and Efficiency

Beyond core security and administration, other highly specialized roles are emerging to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by extensive cloud adoption. These positions focus on various aspects, including product development, strategic consulting, operational efficiency, and financial oversight within cloud environments. The integration of these roles ensures that cloud investments yield maximum value and align with broader business objectives.

Cloud Security Engineers

Security engineers are vital for protecting an organization’s systems, networks, and data from persistent cybersecurity threats. In a cloud-centric environment, their focus shifts to ensuring that services, applications, and data operating on cloud platforms are secure and adhere to all applicable government regulations. They are at the forefront of defense against cyberattacks in the cloud.

Their required skills encompass network security, IAM, encryption, vulnerability management, security architecture, and cloud security best practices. Proficiency in automation and infrastructure design and optimization further enhances their capabilities. About 19% of companies have added security engineer roles, underscoring the critical need for robust cloud security expertise.

Cloud Product Managers

As organizations increasingly develop in-house cloud-based services, the role of a cloud product manager becomes essential. These managers assist cloud teams in developing effective solutions that meet specific business objectives. They leverage a deep understanding of product management within the cloud ecosystem to collaborate with stakeholders, define user requirements, develop product roadmaps, and oversee quality assurance processes to gather feedback for product improvements.

Key skills for cloud product managers include strong product management acumen, an understanding of UX design, excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and a solid technical background. The strategic importance of these roles is evident, with 19% of organizations incorporating cloud product managers as part of their cloud investment strategies.

Cloud Consultants

With the rapid progression and migration to the cloud, organizations frequently seek professionals who can strategically leverage cloud technologies to meet business needs, drive growth, and enhance operational efficiency. Cloud consultants are experts in the field, consistently staying abreast of the latest innovations to provide informed advice to business leaders. They act as crucial guides in navigating complex cloud landscapes.

Their skill set includes knowledge of architecture and solution design, DevOps principles, automation, and project management. Expertise in cloud security, compliance, and cloud migration, along with familiarity with popular cloud platforms, is also vital. The demand for external and internal cloud expertise is reflected by 18% of companies adding cloud consultants to support their cloud initiatives.

DevOps Engineers

DevOps focuses on integrating IT operations with the development process to improve IT systems and facilitate communication between coding and engineering teams. This role emphasizes the deployment of automated applications, maintenance of IT and cloud infrastructure, and the identification of potential risks and benefits associated with new software and systems. DevOps engineers bridge critical gaps between development and operations.

Essential skills for DevOps engineers include automation, proficiency in Linux, QA testing, security best practices, and containerization. Knowledge of programming languages such as Java and Ruby is also highly valued. Reflecting their importance in streamlined development and deployment, 17% of companies have added DevOps engineer roles as part of their cloud investments.

Optimizing Cloud Investments and Ensuring Reliability

The financial implications of extensive cloud adoption, coupled with the imperative for highly reliable and scalable systems, have given rise to specialized roles focused on cost optimization and site reliability. These professionals ensure that cloud investments are financially sound and that services remain consistently available and performant. They balance innovation with fiscal responsibility and operational stability.

FinOps and Cloud Cost Optimization Practitioners

FinOps and cloud cost optimization practitioners merge expertise in finance, technology, and business to oversee the increasingly complex financial landscape of cloud investments. As more organizations integrate cloud computing with AI initiatives, they are re-evaluating their cloud infrastructure investments. These practitioners guide organizations in making prudent financial decisions related to technology investments, ensuring optimal business impact and cost efficiency.

Their required skills include a deep understanding of finance, business, and technology. Proficiency in using tools and platforms such as AWS, Azure, GCP, and cloud-native FinOps platforms is also crucial. The growing emphasis on financial oversight in the cloud is highlighted by 16% of companies adding FinOps and cloud cost optimization practitioner roles to their teams.

FinOps Lead and FinOps Managers

FinOps leads and managers are responsible for overseeing the critical intersection of engineering, finance, and business. With organizations increasingly developing cloud services and tools, there is a heightened demand for FinOps professionals who possess the technical knowledge to bridge the gap between financial considerations and technological implementation. They provide valuable insights into cost-cutting strategies and budget adherence while facilitating the adoption of innovative technology.

A strong foundation in engineering, finance, and technology is essential for these roles. Additional skills include in-depth knowledge of various cloud platforms, basic coding abilities, and robust data analytics capabilities. Approximately 15% of companies have incorporated FinOps lead and FinOps manager roles, underscoring the strategic importance of financial acumen in cloud operations.

Site Reliability Engineers (SRE)

For any organization implementing cloud strategies, ensuring reliability and scalability is paramount. Site reliability engineers (SREs) are tasked with overseeing the automation of IT infrastructure, application monitoring, and comprehensive system management. They ensure that data is accessible from the cloud on-demand and that services can scale effectively with organizational growth. Cloud infrastructure often requires frequent software updates, making SREs indispensable for maintaining continuous operations and rapid adaptation.

Key skills for SREs include change management, robust IT infrastructure management, emergency incident response, and process improvement. Expertise in application monitoring is also crucial for preemptive problem identification and resolution. Although representing a smaller percentage compared to other roles, 10% of companies have added site reliability engineer roles, underscoring their critical contribution to maintaining stable and scalable cloud environments. The increasing complexity and reliance on cloud services further cement the importance of these specialized roles in modern IT landscapes.