We&rsquo;re thrilled to announce that we&rsquo;ve been shortlisted for Technology Recruitment Agency of the Year at the British Recruitment Awards 2025.
In addition, we&rsquo;re celebrating Senior Consultant, Connor Elliott-Grout, who has been shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year (Agency). Connor&rsquo;s recognition is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the positive impact he&rsquo;s made since joining Xcede.
Adam Blaney, Global Managing Director, commented:
"It&rsquo;s great to see Xcede recognised for our work in the technology recruitment space and to see Connor celebrated as a Rising Star. Both shortlistings reflect our ongoing commitment to excellence and the incredible people that make Xcede what it is today. Congratulations to Connor and the whole team &ndash; we&rsquo;re incredibly proud."
Congratulations to all the finalists &ndash; we look forward to finding out the results in November.
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Xcede Shortlisted at the British Recruitment Awards 2025

We&rsquo;re thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Best IT/Technology Recruitment Agency award at the 2025 Recruiter Awards!
This nomination reflects the outstanding work of our team in connecting leading businesses with the best talent across Data, AI &amp; Machine Learning, Product, Software, Cloud, and Cyber.
Global Managing Director, Adam Blaney, had this to say:
&ldquo;This recognition speaks volumes about the quality, collaboration, and drive of the Xcede team. We pride ourselves on delivering tailored recruitment solutions that evolve with the fast-paced tech world, and it&rsquo;s excellent to be acknowledged for that.&rdquo;
Recognised as the UK&rsquo;s largest recruitment awards gala, the Recruiter Awards celebrate exceptional contributions across the recruitment landscape &mdash; including specialist agencies, internal talent teams, marketing excellence, and technology innovation.
Thank you to our clients and candidates for continuing to trust us with your tech recruitment journeys.

Xcede Shortlisted at the Recruiter Awards

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.
<h2>The Essential Difference: A Quick Overview</h2>
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.
<h3>Software Engineer Primary Focus and Day-to-Day Responsibilities</h3>
&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
<h3>Cloud Engineers, the infrastructure maestros, focus on</h3>
&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
<h3>Skills Comparison: What You Need to Succeed</h3>
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
<h2>Career Paths and Progression</h2>
<h3>Software Engineer Career Path</h3>
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
<h3>Cloud Engineer Career Path</h3>
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
<h2>Salary Expectations in the UK</h2>
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
<h2>Making the Transition: Software to Cloud Engineering</h2>
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
<h2>Which Role is Right for You?</h2>
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
<h3>Frequently Asked Questions</h3>
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.
<h3>Future Outlook</h3>
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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