Mastering best practices for Terraform engineers is crucial for optimizing infrastructure automation and driving CI/CD success. From effective state management to seamless Terraform CI/CD integration, these techniques reduce the risk of errors and enhance your DevOps team’s efficiency.

Terraform engineers reign supreme in infrastructure as code (IaC). This article delves into the essential best practices for Terraform engineering, empowering you to build a team of IaC rockstars.

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Quick Intro to Terraform

What is Terraform used for?

Terraform is an open-source IaC tool that allows engineers to define, provision, and manage infrastructure across various cloud providers and on-premises solutions. In other words, it is used for infrastructure automation and managed services.

Terraform uses a human-readable configuration language (HCL) to describe infrastructure resources, enabling devops and SRE teams to automate infrastructure provisioning and configuration management.

Why is Terraform used in DevOps?

Terraform bridges the gap between development and operations teams.

Terraform CI/CD integration bridges the gap between development and operations, which in turn saves time and allows DevOps teams to automate infrastructure provisioning efficiently.

By automating infrastructure provisioning with Terraform, DevOps teams achieve:

Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD): Terraform integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines, enabling automated infrastructure deployments alongside code changes, creating a unified and streamlined development lifecycle. (See our blog post on How to Master DevOps Engineering: 10 Steps Towards an International Tech Career for a deeper dive into DevOps principles).
Reduced Risk: Terraform’s infrastructure as code approach promotes consistency and repeatability, minimizing the risk of configuration errors and infrastructure inconsistencies.
Scalability and Agility: Infrastructure changes can be scripted and deployed efficiently, enabling rapid scaling and adaptation to changing business needs.

Is Terraform a script or code?

Terraform is a programming language for defining infrastructure as code (IaC) in human-readable configurations. It uses a configuration language (HCL) that resembles scripting languages like Python. However, HCL is specifically designed for defining infrastructure resources.

terraform engineer: man in black crew neck t-shirt holding white laptop computer

From effective state management to seamless Terraform CI/CD integration, these techniques reduce the risk of errors and enhance your DevOps team’s efficiency. Photo by Marília Castelli .

5 Best Practices for Terraform Engineering

Consider both short-term needs and long-term goals when defining your Terraform strategy. While specific cloud platforms may be in focus initially, future expansion might necessitate expertise in multiple cloud environments.

#1 Module Reuse

Break down infrastructure into reusable modules for improved code maintainability and reduced redundancy.

#2 State Management

Implement robust state management strategies to avoid conflicts and ensure consistency across environments. The best practices for Terraform engineers involve implementing robust state management strategies, which are crucial for managing complex production environments.

#3 Version Control

Store Terraform configurations in version control systems (like Git) to track changes, facilitate collaboration, and enable rollbacks if needed. Utilizing Terraform module best practices ensures a high level of consistency and reduces the risk of errors across production environments.

#4 Testing

Integrate infrastructure testing into your CI/CD pipeline to identify and address configuration errors early in the development process.

#5 Security

Prioritize security by following security best practices for cloud infrastructure and access control.

It’s also worth menioning that machine learning integration can enhance Terraform capabilities by allowing dynamic infrastructure automation based on real-time data for meeting resource requirements.

Backend Engineers enhance functionality and power server-side logic and databases, ensuring that data and requests flow seamlessly.

Integration with CI/CD Pipelines

Effective development and operations teams leverage Terraform CI/CD integration to reduce the risk of deployment errors and achieve continuous improvement.

The synergy between Terraform and CI/CD pipelines is essential for achieving continuous delivery. Terraform engineers should focus on integrating Terraform into existing CI/CD workflows to automate infrastructure provisioning and configuration management.

Infrastructure as Code Best Practices

Adhering to IaC best practices is paramount for successful Terraform implementation. This includes:

Modularity: Breaking down infrastructure into reusable modules for efficient management.
Testing: Writing comprehensive tests for Terraform configurations to ensure reliability.
Version Control: Utilizing Git or other version control systems to track changes and collaborate effectively.
Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect infrastructure resources.

Terraform Module Best Practices

Over the next few sections, we provide a detailed and actionable guide for Terraform engineers, helping them excel in infrastructure automation and CI/CD integration while following best practices.

What are Terraform Modules?

Terraform modules are essential building blocks in IaC. They allow engineers to encapsulate configurations into reusable, self-contained packages that define specific infrastructure components—whether it’s networks, virtual machines, or storage.

Terraform engineers leverage modules to ensure that their infrastructure definitions are consistent, reusable, and scalable across different projects.

5 Best Practices for Module Design

#1 Modularity

To maintain clean and efficient code, break down infrastructure into smaller, logical modules. This approach not only reduces redundancy but also enhances the maintainability of your Terraform configurations. By structuring your modules effectively, you make it easier to manage and scale infrastructure as your projects grow.

#2 Input and Output Variables

To maximize the reusability and flexibility of your modules, use input variables to pass configuration data into them, and output variables to return values. This practice enables the same module to be used across multiple environments and projects with minimal changes.

#3 Versioning

Keeping track of changes in your modules is crucial for maintaining consistency across environments. Use version control systems like Git to version your modules. This practice not only allows for rollback in case of errors but also ensures that all team members are working with the correct versions of modules in a collaborative environment.

#4 Documentation

Document each module thoroughly, including details on its purpose, input and output variables, and any dependencies. Clear documentation aids in onboarding new team members and ensures that everyone understands how to use and maintain the modules correctly.

#5 Testing Modules

Before deploying modules to production, integrate automated tests into your CI/CD pipeline. Testing ensures that your modules perform as expected and helps identify issues early in the development process, reducing the risk of errors in live environments.

Cloud Migration: a group of people sitting at a table with laptops discuss their options

Traditional on-premise infrastructure can’t keep pace with the explosive growth experienced by many software companies. Photo by fran innocenti

Infrastructure Automation with Terraform

What is Infrastructure Automation?

Infrastructure automation refers to the process of using tools like Terraform to automate the provisioning, management, and configuration of infrastructure. This approach eliminates manual intervention, reduces the likelihood of errors, and accelerates deployment processes.

Terraform’s state allows you to track resource changes, and safely update and manage infrastructure on AWS, GCP, and Azure, automatically.

4 Key Practices for Automation

#1 Declarative Configuration

Terraform uses a declarative approach to define infrastructure. This means you describe the desired state of your infrastructure, and Terraform automatically creates or updates resources to match that state. This approach simplifies complex infrastructure management and ensures consistency across environments.

#2 Idempotency

One of the core principles of Terraform is idempotency, which ensures that running the same configuration multiple times produces the same results. This property is vital for maintaining stable and predictable infrastructure, particularly in production environments.

#3 Automation of Routine Tasks

By scripting routine infrastructure tasks with Terraform, such as provisioning servers or setting up networks, engineers can save time and reduce the risk of human error. Automation also allows for rapid scaling and adaptation to changing business needs.

#4 Integration with CI/CD Pipelines

Incorporate Terraform into your CI/CD pipelines to automate the deployment of infrastructure alongside application code. This integration allows for continuous delivery, ensuring that infrastructure changes are tested and deployed in sync with application updates.

Terraform State Management

What is Terraform State?

Terraform uses a state file to keep track of the current state of your infrastructure. This file acts as a source of truth, enabling Terraform to determine what changes need to be applied to bring the infrastructure in line with the desired state defined in your configurations.

4 Best Practices for State Management

#1 Remote State Storage

Store your Terraform state file in a remote backend, such as AWS S3 or Terraform Cloud. This practice ensures that your state file is securely stored and accessible by all team members, facilitating collaboration and preventing state drift.

#2 State Locking

Enable state locking to prevent multiple users from making concurrent changes to the state file, which could result in conflicts and inconsistent infrastructure. Remote backends often provide state locking mechanisms to ensure that only one operation can modify the state at a time.

#3 State Versioning

Implement versioning for your state files to keep track of changes over time. This allows you to revert to a previous state if something goes wrong, providing a safety net during deployments.

#4 Sensitive Data Management

Avoid storing sensitive information, such as passwords or API keys, directly in the state file. Instead, use encrypted variables or secret management tools to protect this data.

DevOps Engineers with CircleCI: man in brown button up shirt sitting on chair in front of computer

By mastering CI/CD pipelines, DevOps engineers leverage automation tools and infrastructure as code (IaC) to enhance project management and deliver high-quality software efficiently. Photo by Waddas Magalhães.

Terraform CI/CD Integration

Why Integrate Terraform with CI/CD?

CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery) is a fundamental practice in modern software development. Integrating Terraform with CI/CD pipelines enables automated and consistent deployment of infrastructure changes, ensuring that infrastructure evolves alongside application code.

4 Best Practices for CI/CD Integration

#1 Automated Testing

Before applying Terraform changes, run automated tests within your CI/CD pipeline to validate the configuration. This practice helps catch errors early and prevents faulty infrastructure changes from being deployed.

#2 Plan and Apply Stages

Separate the Terraform “plan” and “apply” stages within your CI/CD pipeline. The “plan” stage generates an execution plan, showing what changes Terraform will make, while the “apply” stage implements those changes. This separation allows for manual review of the plan before applying changes to production.

#3 Environment-Specific Pipelines

Create environment-specific CI/CD pipelines (e.g., for development, staging, and production). This approach allows you to test infrastructure changes in lower environments before deploying them to production, reducing the risk of disruptions.

#4 Notifications and Alerts

Set up notifications and alerts for your CI/CD pipeline to inform the team of successful deployments or failures. This practice ensures that any issues are quickly addressed and that the team remains informed about the state of the infrastructure.

Building a High-Performance Terraform Team

When writing a Terraform job description, focus on technical skills like infrastructure automation and cloud infrastructure expertise. Hire a Terraform engineer with expertise in Terraform module best practices and CI/CD integration to build a high-performing team.

Hiring a Terraform engineer requires a strategic approach. Ubiminds can help you find the perfect fit. We specialize in staff augmentation, connecting you with top Terraform talent. Our candidates possess not only the technical skills needed to excel but also the devops mindset and collaborative spirit to drive your organization forward.

Having the right people may affect your decisions on how to deliver quality software faster

5 Skills Terraform Engineers Should Master

Is Terraform a good skill? Absolutely! The demand for skilled Terraform engineers is soaring. According to Indeed, Terraform engineer salaries in the US average over $120,000 annually. Terraform expertise empowers engineers to automate critical tasks, optimize cloud infrastructure, and drive operational efficiency.

So, what makes a best-in-class Terraform engineer? More than just technical skills are required. Here’s the blueprint for success:

#1 Solid Terraform Fundamentals

A thorough grasp of Terraform syntax, modules, state management, and resource configuration is essential.

#2 Cloud Savvy

Understanding of major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP enables engineers to tailor infrastructure definitions to specific cloud environments.

#3 DevOps Expertise

Effective collaboration with development and operations teams is crucial for seamless integration of infrastructure provisioning into the CI/CD pipeline. (See our blog post DevOps and SRE: How to Hire, Ramp Up, and Empower to Enhance Software Delivery for insights on building a strong DevOps team).

#4 Continuous Improvement

Passion for learning new technologies and staying current with the ever-evolving IaC landscape is vital.

#5 Soft Skills

Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are critical for effective collaboration with team members. A Terraform engineer should be able to translate technical concepts into clear, understandable terms for non-technical stakeholders.

A skilled Terraform engineer possesses a blend of technical expertise and problem-solving abilities. Essential competencies include:

Core CompetenciesBest PracticesAdvanced Techniques

Core Competencies of a Terraform Engineer

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Mastery: A deep understanding of IaC principles and the ability to translate infrastructure requirements into Terraform code.
Cloud Platforms: Proficiency in at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their corresponding Terraform providers.
Scripting Languages: Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Bash, Ruby) for automating tasks and integrating Terraform into CI/CD pipelines.
Version Control: Proficiency in Git or other version control systems for managing Terraform code.
Networking: Understanding of networking concepts (subnets, routing, security groups) is essential for effective infrastructure provisioning.
Security: A strong focus on security best practices to protect infrastructure resources.

Best Practices for Terraform Engineering

Modularity: Create reusable Terraform modules to promote code reusability and maintainability.
State Management: Effectively manage Terraform state to prevent conflicts and ensure consistency.
Testing: Implement unit and integration tests for Terraform code to catch errors early.
Collaboration: Work closely with DevOps teams to align infrastructure provisioning with application development.
Continuous Improvement: Stay updated with the latest Terraform features and best practices.

Advanced Terraform Techniques

Terraform Cloud: Leverage cloud-based Terraform services for collaboration, state management, and advanced features.
Terraform Modules Registry: Utilize public or private module registries to share and reuse Terraform modules.
Infrastructure as Code Security Best Practices: Implement security controls and vulnerability scanning.
Terraform Drift Detection: Monitor infrastructure for changes and automatically remediate deviations.

Where to Hire Terraform Engineers to Accelerate Infrastructure Provisioning

Brazil’s growing tech ecosystem offers a skilled workforce, making it a strategic location for staff augmentation in Terraform engineering. If you’re looking to streamline your infrastructure provisioning and management, consider tapping into this talent pool.

Hiring DevOps Engineers and SREs starts with looking for technical skills and experience, but is ultimately about alignment with your project goals.

Why Hire Terraform Engineers in Brazil?

Cost-effective: Leverage competitive labor costs without compromising on quality.
Strong technical skills: Brazilian engineers possess a solid foundation in Terraform and infrastructure as code.
Growing cloud adoption: Brazil’s increasing cloud adoption has fostered a skilled workforce in infrastructure automation.

Key Considerations for Hiring Terraform Engineers in Brazil

Language proficiency: Assess English language skills to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
Time zone differences: Consider how time zone differences might impact project management.
Legal and tax implications: Understand the legal and tax requirements for hiring employees or contractors in Brazil.

Ubiminds takes care of all of that for you, so you don’t have to worry about any of it. The effort, overhead cost, and liability is on us.

Finding and Hiring Terraform Engineers in Brazil

Leverage online platforms: Utilize job boards, professional networking sites, and freelance platforms to find qualified candidates.
Partner with local recruitment agencies: Tap into the expertise of Brazilian recruitment firms.
Build a strong employer brand: Attract top Terraform talent by showcasing your company’s commitment to cloud infrastructure and DevOps.

By carefully considering these factors and implementing effective recruitment strategies, you can build a high-performing infrastructure team in Brazil.

The Future of Terraform Engineering: A Brave New World

The Terraform landscape is rapidly evolving, with new challenges and opportunities emerging. To stay ahead, Terraform engineers must adapt to these changes and embrace emerging trends.

The Rise of Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Environments

As organizations adopt multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies, Terraform engineers will need to expand their expertise across different cloud platforms. While Terraform supports multiple providers, mastering the nuances of each platform is crucial for effective infrastructure management.

4 Emerging Trends in Terraform

#1 Terraform Cloud: Leveraging cloud-based Terraform services for collaboration and automation.

#2 Terraform Modules: Utilizing pre-built modules to accelerate infrastructure provisioning.

#3 Terraform Drift Detection: Monitoring infrastructure for changes and automatically reapplying desired state.

#4 Infrastructure as Code Security: Implementing security best practices within Terraform configurations.

The Role of Terraform Engineers in the Future

As infrastructure becomes increasingly complex, the role of Terraform engineers will evolve. They will need to:

Collaborate closely with other DevOps roles: Work in tandem with developers, operations, and security teams.
Embrace new technologies: Stay updated on emerging IaC tools and practices.
Focus on automation: Automate repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
Drive innovation: Contribute to the development of new infrastructure provisioning strategies.

Terraform engineers are at the forefront of infrastructure automation. By understanding the core principles, best practices, and emerging trends, you can build a high-performing Terraform team capable of delivering exceptional results.

Ubiminds specializes in finding top-tier Terraform engineers who can propel your organization forward. Let us help you build a world-class infrastructure team. Contact Ubiminds today to find your next Terraform expert.

Scheila Farias Silveira

International Marketing Leader, specialized in tech. Proud to have built marketing and business generation structures for some of the fastest-growing SaaS companies on both sides of the Atlantic (UK, DACH, Iberia, LatAm, and NorthAm). Big fan of motherhood, world music, marketing, and backpacking. A little bit nerdy too!

Best Practices for Terraform Engineers for Elite Infrastructure Automation

Quick Intro to Terraform