Caleb Hurd of CostOps.cloud Shares His Hot Take on Why Engineers Should be Leading FinOps (EP 17)
How can engineering-led FinOps drive smarter cloud cost strategies?
In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Caleb Hurd, Principal Consultant at CostOps.cloud, who shares his unique journey from carpentry to cloud architecture and FinOps consulting. Caleb offers a fresh perspective on the evolving FinOps landscape, advocating for a more engineering-led approach to cloud financial operations.
Together, we dive into key topics, including:
Why FinOps should be driven by engineers, not finance teams, for more effective outcomes
The importance of balancing technical innovation with financial accountability
Actionable tips for optimizing cloud costs and improving collaboration across teams
How real-world engineering experience shapes smarter FinOps practices
Caleb’s personal journey and how it influences his approach to cost optimization
Whether you're a FinOps practitioner, cloud engineer, or curious about the intersection of finance and tech, this episode is packed with real-world advice and practical strategies.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert interviews, FinOps best practices, and cloud cost optimization insights!
Quote of the Show:
“I think that the industry's gotten it wrong. I don't think FinOps should roll up to finance, and I don't think it should be predominantly financial people doing it. I think that FinOps practitioners should be engineers by trade who happen to delve in the FinOps.” - Caleb Hurd
Connect with Caleb:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebrhurd/
Company website: https://www.costops.cloud/
In this episode of FinOps in Action, Caleb Hurd, Principal Consultant at CostOps.cloud, shares his journey from carpentry to cloud architecture. He makes a strong case for why FinOps should be led by engineers—not finance teams—and offers practical strategies for cost optimization, balancing innovation with accountability, and driving smarter FinOps through hands-on technical experience.