We are excited to announce that Xcede has retained its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the 4th consecutive year!
This recognition is awarded only to companies that consistently deliver exceptional experiences and earn outstanding feedback from clients and candidates. Over the years, our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that every interaction reflects our dedication to service excellence, and this award validates those efforts.
The Platinum Trusted Service Award is a reflection of the trust and loyalty that our clients and candidates place in us. We remain committed to upholding these high standards in everything we do.
Global Managing Director Adam Blaney noted:
"Retaining the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the 4th year is an achievement we&rsquo;re incredibly proud of. This recognition is driven by the trust and feedback of our clients and candidates, and it&rsquo;s a reminder of the standards we aim to uphold in every interaction. I want to thank our team for their continued efforts in making this possible.&rdquo;
Thank you to everyone who made this possible &ndash; from our talented team to the clients and candidates who shared their experiences. Here&rsquo;s to another year of success!

Xcede Retains Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the 4th Year

The tech job market is slowly beginning to pick up again, with the <a href="https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/cloud-engineering-market/#:~:text=Cloud%20Engineering%20Market%20size%20was,14.11%25%20from%202024%20to%202031.">Cloud engineering market</a> expected to grow by 14% by 2031 and the <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/engineering-software-market#:~:text=The%20global%20engineering%20software%20market,the%20engineering%20software%20industry%20growth.">Software engineering market</a> to grow by 20% in the same time period. Whether you're considering your tech career path or looking to make a switch, this guide will help you navigate the nuances between these roles.
<h4>The Essential Difference: A Quick Overview</h4>
In reality, Software engineering is about crafting the applications we use daily, while Cloud engineering creates and maintains the digital infrastructure these applications call home.
Software Engineer Primary Focus and Day-to-Day Responsibilities
&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Writing and testing code for applications &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Collaborating with product teams &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Debugging and maintaining existing Software &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Implementing new features
Cloud Engineers, the infrastructure maestros, focus on
&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Designing and implementing Cloud infrastructure &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Managing Cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ensuring system security and reliability &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Optimising Cloud costs and performance
Skills Comparison: What You Need to Succeed
Skill Category&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Software Engineer&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cloud Engineer
Programming Languages&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Java, Python, C++, JavaScript (Deep expertise)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Python, Shell scripting, PowerShell (Working knowledge)
Core Knowledge&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Data structures, Algorithms, Software architecture&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cloud platforms, Networking, Security
Tools &amp; Frameworks&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Git, Docker, Development frameworks&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Terraform, Kubernetes, CloudFormation
Soft Skills&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Problem-solving, Teamwork&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;System thinking, Project management
<h4>Career Paths and Progression</h4>
Software Engineer Career Path
1. &nbsp; &nbsp;Junior Developer 2. &nbsp; &nbsp;Mid-level Engineer 3. &nbsp; &nbsp;Senior Engineer 4. &nbsp; &nbsp;Lead Engineer/Architect 5. &nbsp; &nbsp;Technical Director
Cloud Engineer Career Path
1. &nbsp; &nbsp;Junior Cloud Engineer 2. &nbsp; &nbsp;Cloud Administrator 3. &nbsp; &nbsp;Senior Cloud Engineer 4. &nbsp; &nbsp;Cloud Architect 5. &nbsp; &nbsp;Cloud Strategy Director
Salary Expectations in the UK
Based on current market data, here's what you can expect:
Experience Level&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Software Engineer&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cloud Engineer
Entry-level&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &pound;30,000 - &pound;40,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&pound;35,000 - &pound;45,000 Mid-level&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&pound;45,000 - &pound;65,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&pound;50,000 - &pound;70,000 Senior&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&pound;65,000 - &pound;95,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &pound;70,000 - &pound;100,000
<h4>Making the Transition: Software to Cloud Engineering</h4>
Considering making the switch from Software to Cloud engineering? Here's what I recommend:
1. &nbsp; &nbsp;Start with Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, or GCP) 2. &nbsp; &nbsp;Develop practical experience through own initiatives 3. &nbsp; &nbsp;Learn infrastructure as code 4. &nbsp; &nbsp;Focus on networking and security fundamentals
<h4>Which Role is Right for You?</h4>
Choose Software engineering if you:
&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Love creating new applications from scratch &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Enjoy solving complex coding challenges &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Want to focus on application development &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Prefer working on product features
Choose Cloud engineering if you:
&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Have a passion for infrastructure and systems &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Enjoy optimising and scaling solutions &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Like working with multiple technologies &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Are interested in security and reliability
<h4>Frequently Asked Questions</h4>
How does remote work differ between these roles?
Software engineers typically require minimal infrastructure setup for remote work, needing mainly a development environment and version control access. Cloud engineers often need additional security measures and access protocols since they manage critical infrastructure remotely.
What are the on-call responsibilities like?
Cloud engineers usually have more frequent on-call rotations due to infrastructure monitoring needs. Software engineers might be on-call during deployments or for critical bug fixes, but generally have more predictable hours.
How do team structures differ?
Software engineers often work in product-focused teams with other developers, designers, and product managers. Cloud engineers typically work in infrastructure or platform teams, collaborating with security specialists and system administrators.
What's the impact of AI tools on these roles?
AI coding assistants are transforming Software engineering workflows, while Cloud engineers are increasingly using AI for infrastructure optimisation and predictive maintenance. Both roles are evolving to incorporate AI tools rather than being replaced by them.
How does the interview process differ?
Software engineering interviews typically focus on:
&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Algorithm challenges &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;System design &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Code reviews &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Technical problem-solving
Cloud engineering interviews emphasise:
&bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Infrastructure design &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Disaster recovery scenarios &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Security knowledge &bull; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cost optimisation strategies
What is the work-life balance like?
Both roles have peak stress periods, but Cloud engineers often deal with more urgent infrastructure issues affecting entire systems. Software engineers typically face more project deadline pressures but have more flexible work hours.
Future Outlook
Both roles are experiencing tremendous growth in the UK tech sector. The rise of remote work and digital transformation has particularly boosted demand for Cloud engineers, while Software engineers remain the backbone of the tech industry.
Whether you choose to become a Software or Cloud engineer, both paths offer rewarding careers with excellent growth potential. The key is aligning your interests and strengths with the role's requirements.
If either of these fields interest you, consider exploring entry-level positions or certification courses in your chosen path. If you are an experienced professional in either Software or Cloud, browse our live roles today!
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Cloud Engineer vs Software Engineer: Making the Right Career Choice in 2025

We&rsquo;ve been made aware of a growing number of scams where individuals are impersonating our recruiters to target unsuspecting job seekers. These fraudulent messages seem to be appearing predominantly on WhatsApp. However, it may not only be limited to this app. We are currently unsure of the purpose of these attacks, but it is widely believed within the industry that they are intended to collect personal information.
At Xcede, we take privacy and GDPR compliance very seriously. We are committed to maintaining your trust and ensuring a secure recruitment experience. It's important to note:
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">While our recruiters do use WhatsApp for candidate communication, they will not do so initially or without your permission.</li>
</ul>
How to identify a scam
To safeguard yourself from falling victim to these scams, keep the following tips in mind:
<ol>
<li>Recruiter is not on our website: If the person contacting you does not have a profile on our &lsquo;Meet the Team&rsquo; page, please contact us to confirm their association with us.</li>
<li>Unrealistic promises: If the job offer seems too good to be true, think about high salaries with minimal effort. It probably is.</li>
<li>Unsolicited messages: Be cautious if you receive a job offer without prior contact or from an unknown number.</li>
<li>Vague information: Scammers often fail to provide specific details about the job or the company. Verify company credentials before engaging.</li>
<li>Requests for sensitive data: Legitimate recruiters will never ask for personal details like bank accounts or IDs upfront.</li>
<li>Unprofessional communication: Look out for poor grammar, unprofessional language, or an email address that doesn&rsquo;t match our official company domain, which all end in either @xcede.com, @xcede.de, or @xcedegroup.com.</li>
<li>Fake websites: Verify the company&rsquo;s website and cross-check details. Be cautious of websites that seem incomplete or poorly designed.</li>
<li>Urgency or pressure: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push you into quick decisions. Take your time to validate the offer.</li>
<li>Money requests: Legitimate recruiters will never ask for fees to process applications or secure job placements.</li>
<li>No interviews: A legitimate hiring process will usually involve at least one face-to-face or video interview.</li>
<li>Gut feeling: If it doesn&rsquo;t feel right, trust your instincts.</li>
</ol>
What to do if you&rsquo;re unsure
If you suspect you&rsquo;ve received a fraudulent message or job offer claiming to be from Xcede, do not engage. Instead please contact us at info@xcede.com.

Beware of Recruitment Scams

We are excited to announce that we&rsquo;ve been Highly Commended in the <a href="https://newpossible.io/british-recruitment-awards">British Recruitment Awards 2024</a>.
The British Recruitment Awards is an annual campaign that sets out to discover and celebrate the individuals and teams that are truly passionate about recruitment&rsquo;s role in building a thriving organisation.
This year, over 300 entries were received from organisations across the UK, providing a very competitive landscape. Firms taking part range from start-up pioneers to large public sector companies.
The British Recruitment Awards is powered by <a href="https://newpossible.io/">New Possible, a next-generation employee insight platform</a>. New Possible helps leaders build healthier organisations by providing meaningful insight that can drive real change.
Winners and Highly Commended were revealed at a celebration event in London. Nate Harwood, Founder of <a href="https://newpossible.io/">New Possible</a> and British Recruitment Awards judge said: &ldquo;The British Recruitment Awards celebrates the UK&rsquo;s incredible talent community, recognising the outstanding agencies, in-house teams, and individuals powering thriving workplaces both at home and beyond. Congratulations to all the Winners, Highly Commended and Finalists.&rdquo;
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