>> I have been trapped inside a pidgeon hole - I don't know what it's like elsewhere

Good thing for you that you recognized it. I've also been trapped for a long time in a role that I don't like anymore. Took me a while to find that out. Feelings like this can become a main problem in your personal psychological health, and an obstacle to your own productivity and drive.

>> I have come across the term DevOps

I think the term is quite suited to your description.