Hey everyone, I'm currently working as a QA Automation Engineer with 3 years of experience, focusing mainly on networking and Linux-based projects for the last 2 years. I've been using Python and Robot Framework for test automation but have also had the chance to work with tools like Docker, Ansible, Wireshark, and Jenkins for continuous integration. I've realized that I enjoy working more with Linux, networking, and infrastructure compared to QA Automation. I've even set up a homelab using OPNsense and Proxmox, where I've explored Docker, VMs, Ansible, Terraform, Jenkins, K3s, Grafana, Prometheus, and more. I'm trying to transition into DevOps or Infrastructure roles, but I haven't had any luck with interviews. Has anyone here made a similar leap? What should I focus on to improve my chances? Thanks!
2 Answers
I made the jump from an SDET role to DevOps, and I think it's a pretty natural progression. Have you tried writing custom pipeline jobs in Jenkins? If you haven’t, you should definitely add that to your skills. Learning GitHub Actions could also be beneficial. If you can build a portfolio showcasing how you've managed a repository's lifecycle—like setting up CI/CD pipelines and defining branch protection rules—that'll look great to potential employers. And if your current job doesn’t support this shift, it might be time to search for new opportunities.
That's interesting! I'm curious, how was your transition? Did you stay within the same company?
I’ve also considered moving toward TestOps, as it seems to have a close connection to DevOps. It's essential to adapt and make that transition. I’d love to hear what others say about the shift.
What exactly do you mean by TestOps? I'm not too familiar with that.
I've written custom Jenkins jobs for test automation too, and I've also tackled GitHub Actions in a volunteer project. Plus, I have my own Jenkins server set up in my homelab.