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What Does a Software Engineer Do?
Written by Coursera • Updated on
Software engineers design and create computer systems and applications to solve real-world problems.
Software engineers, sometimes called software developers, create software for computers and applications. If you’re an analytical thinker who enjoys solving problems and making digital products easier to use, you may find a career as a software engineer rewarding.
What is software engineering?
Software engineering is the branch of computer science that deals with the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications. Software engineers apply engineering principles and knowledge of programming languages to build software solutions for end users.
Software engineer tasks and responsibilities
Successful engineers know how to use the right programming languages, platforms, and architectures to develop everything from computer games to network control systems. In addition to building their own systems, software engineers also test, improve, and maintain software built by other engineers.
"I get excited about anything that involves solving problems, whether it be figuring out how to optimize a certain part of an existing application or entirely coming up with new applications to solve certain needs," says Murtadha Al-Tameemi, a software engineer at Meta. "Problems in general stimulate my brain and give me a great sense of satisfaction."
In this role, your day-to-day tasks might include:
Designing and maintaining software systems
Evaluating and testing new software programs
Optimizing software for speed and scalability
Writing and testing code
Consulting with clients, engineers, security specialists, and other stakeholders
Presenting new features to stakeholders and internal customers
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Systems developer vs. application developer
Software engineers will usually fall into one of two categories, systems developers or application developers.
As a systems developer (sometimes called a backend engineer), you’ll build things like computer systems and networks that front-end (user-facing) applications will need. You can do this by:
Ensuring that different types of software programs communicate with each other on one platform
Creating and enforcing IT standards within an infrastructure
Maintaining documentation of IT systems
Updating to new technologies as needed
Collaborating with development teams, senior systems architects, and data science professionals
Working as an application developer is more client-focused. You may work on either the front or back end of the system, designing software that the end user will interact with. Tasks might include:
Developing applications for iOS, Android, Windows, or other operating systems
Conducting an analysis of requirements and tweaking software as needed
Releasing software updates
Working with graphic designers, customer service staff, project managers, and other customer-facing departments
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Read more: What Is an iOS App Developer? A 2022 Guide
Why should I pursue a career as a software engineer?
If you enjoy solving problems and have strong analytical skills, a career as a software engineer can be both fun and challenging. And as technology continues to evolve, the need for software developers continues to grow much faster than the national average [1].
Choosing a career as a software engineer gives you opportunities to work in many different industries and fields, as nearly all businesses use software. Whether you enjoy finances, entertainment, sports, real estate, or some other industry, there’s a good chance there are jobs for software engineers.
It’s also a career that allows flexibility in where you work. You may be able to work from home for companies in other states or even other countries. The important thing is that you’re able to meet deadlines and deliver a project on time.
Software engineer salary
Working as a software engineer can be challenging and engaging, and it also tends to pay well. The annual median salary for a software engineer in 2021 was $109,020, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [1]. Jobs in software publishing tend to draw the biggest salaries.
Career paths in software engineering
Once you become a software engineer, you can choose which path you want to take (applications or systems) and how far you want to progress with it. You can decide to advance toward a role as a senior software engineer, or you can continue gaining certifications and experience to advance to roles like project manager or systems manager. As a software engineer, you have both flexibility and mobility to create the career experience that is most appealing to you.
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How to become a software engineer
Getting a job as a software engineer typically involves building the right technical and workplace skills. Some jobs might also require a certain degree or certification to validate your skills. However, there are many ways to enhance your skill set. "Although I did have a formal education, taking online classes on how to build mobile apps, doing internships where I work on projects at a company, and trying to build my own side projects was the most helpful," says Laila Rizvi, a software engineer at Meta.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the requirements for becoming a software engineer.
Software engineering skills
As a software developer, you’ll be designing software to help solve problems that real people face. This requires a combination of technical know-how and solid communication skills. If you’re considering this as a career, here are some skills you should focus on building:
Coding languages like Python, Java, C, C++, or Scala
Object-oriented programming
Database architecture
Agile and Scrum project management
Operating systems
Cloud computing
Version control
Design testing and debugging
(Video) What is Computer Engineering?Attention to detail
Read more: How to Become a Software Developer | 9 Tips
Software engineering certifications
By earning a certification, you can build new skills and validate those skills to potential employers. Some jobs might require a specific certification, so it’s a good idea to research some job listings of roles you’re interested in before preparing for a certification exam. Here are some common options:
Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)
Certified Software Engineer
C Certified Professional Programmer (CLP)
C++ Certified Professional Programmer (CPP)
AWS Certified Developer
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Do I need a degree to be a software engineer?
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related degree program is the most common entry-level requirement for software engineers. But a degree isn’t the only path toward a development job. According to a 2020 Stack Overflow survey, 16 percent of surveyed software developers believe that formal education is not at all important or necessary. Another 23 percent believe it’s only somewhat important [2].
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FAQs
What does a software engineer do on a daily basis? ›
Software engineers spend their day solving problems in web applications and programs, writing code, attending meetings, and collaborating with their peers. They usually work on several projects at once.
Do software engineers make good money? ›The jobs requiring this skill have increase by 6.76% since 2018. Software Engineers with this skill earn +24.30% more than the average base salary, which is $118,631 per year.
What skills are needed for a software engineer? ›- The ability to analyze complex technical information.
- The ability to analyze business requirements and assess impact within the existing database architecture.
- Good research skills.
- Be an excellent problem solver.
- Have experience building software applications.
Yes, software engineering can be somewhat hard to learn initially – especially for those without programming or coding skills or any background or knowledge of tech – but there are many courses, tools, and other resources available to help people learn to become a Software Engineer.
Is it fun working as a software engineer? ›Most Software Engineers have, at some point, spent time coding and programming purely for fun – they enjoy scanning code for errors and other programming puzzles. The best software engineering pros love to build things and they love to fix things, and they enjoy the day-to-day work of being a Software Engineer.
Do software engineers have a stressful job? ›As a software developer, you've probably experienced stress multiple times and every time seems a little different yet the sensation is the same. A developer's job is very stressful due to its nature: you need to build or create, and you need to do it quickly.
Do software engineers need math? ›Despite its name, software engineering does not require math. At least, it doesn't require as much math as you might think. There are numbers and problem-solving, but you won't have to break out your AP Calculus certificate or trigonometry textbook to program—or engineer—software.
Do software engineers need a degree? ›"Most software engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree," Frederick said. A bachelor's degree in software engineering is ideal, but studying computer science or other STEM programs such as math, science or engineering could help as well.
How many hours do software engineers work? ›Software engineers typically work 8 to 9 hours per day or 40 to 45 hours per week. There may be more demanding hours required for startup companies or when deadlines are approaching. This can mean working overtime and/or evening and weekend shifts.
How many years does it take to become a software engineer? ›How long does it take to become a software engineer? Most software engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, which takes four years of full-time study. Some employers prefer candidates with a master's, which requires an additional two years of study.
Which degree is best for software engineer? ›
...
Some of the skills that you will learn in a computer science program include:
- Technical computer operations,
- Computer mathematics,
- Computational logic, and.
- A strong understanding of modern code.
Software engineers earn a slightly higher salary than software developers. However, this is the difference, the average software engineer earns $95,000 per year, and the average software developer earns $94,000 per year. In other words, the average software engineer only earns 1.06% more.
Do software engineers work from home? ›Software engineering can be one of the most flexible careers, because software engineers can work anywhere where they have computers and access to the Internet. They can work from home, or from the beach if the job allows!
Can you have a life as a software engineer? ›Yes, software engineers do have a good life. Software engineers earn high salaries and because of the high demand for professionals in this field, they enjoy job growth opportunities and job security.
How do you know if software engineering is for you? ›A logical, analytical mindset.
The best software engineers will write much less code than their peers to accomplish the same goal. What's the key to doing that? Having a logical, analytical mindset. That empowers you to take a complex set of instructions and boil it down to its most integral parts.
Software engineers are paid so much because there is high demand, they are highly specialized, and they work in high-earning industries. Software engineers, on average, make more than $25,000 more than the average salary in the United States.
Why do so many software engineers quit? ›Software developers are quitting for better packages: 22.4 percent of tech personnel are willing to switch jobs for better offers. Half of the millennials say they will accept an offer out of the blue if it gives better pay or benefits. Lack of Fit: 20.2 percent are willing to quit due to the company culture issues.
Are software engineers happy? ›Based on a small survey of 350 respondents, some 70.3 percent of developers said they were happy at work, versus 14.4 percent who said they were unhappy, and 15.3 percent who claimed indifference.
Is software engineer in high demand? ›Well, the current demand for software engineers in 2022 has risen by nearly 17% across all industries. As it increases, the software engineer market continues to be competitive in terms of salaries with large tech firms in the US paying as high as $150,000.
Do software engineers work 2 hours a day? ›Based on a study of 3,000 employees, most Software Developers spend between 2 and 6 hours coding per day: When it comes to meetings, around 70% of Software Developers spent less than 1 hours in meetings.
Is software engineering a happy job? ›
According to the survey report by PayScale, software engineers have a job satisfaction rate of four out of five stars. Based on the report, software engineers are generally satisfied with their working conditions and benefits.
Do software engineers have a good work life balance? ›Yes, it is easy to have work-life balance as a software engineer, but it all depends on how you prioritize your time. By focusing on time management on a daily basis both in your professional life and in your personal life, you will be able to balance both areas well.
Do software engineers sit at a computer all day? ›Most people think that software engineers just sit in front of a computer all day, coding away. But there's actually a lot more to the job than that. In fact, many developers enjoy an active software engineer lifestyle outside of work. Many are passionate about hiking, biking, and spending time outdoors.
How long does it take to become a software engineer? ›How long does it take to become a software engineer? Most software engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, which takes four years of full-time study. Some employers prefer candidates with a master's, which requires an additional two years of study.
Can you work 4 days a week as a software engineer? ›Most software developers may not enjoy the benefits of a four-hour week but now (in a post COVID world) they can very easily settle for the next best option - a job with a 4 day work week. It has the work / life balance of a part time programming job, with the benefits of a full-time position.
Can I work from home as a software engineer? ›Software engineering can be one of the most flexible careers, because software engineers can work anywhere where they have computers and access to the Internet. They can work from home, or from the beach if the job allows!
How many hours does a software engineer typically work? ›Software engineers typically work 8 to 9 hours per day or 40 to 45 hours per week. There may be more demanding hours required for startup companies or when deadlines are approaching. This can mean working overtime and/or evening and weekend shifts.
How much vacation do software engineers get? ›Three weeks of paid vacation remained the most popular response, with 23 percent saying they had 11-15 days of paid vacation available in 2021. In a near-tie for second place: two weeks, which is the industry standard, and earned 18 percent of responses.
Is there really a demand for software engineers? ›Programmers and software engineers have become more in demand globally in recent years. As stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs in software development are expected to increase by 25% between 2021 and 2031. Thus, there is a huge job demand for software engineers in the market.
Do software engineers make millions? ›Experienced software engineers make up to millions a year, and even freelance software developers can earn up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per project.
Do software engineers have social life? ›
In reality, while software engineers do spend quite a bit of time at their computers, they can have a lot of social interaction at work, both among other engineers as well as other employees at the company.
Do software engineers write code? ›Software Engineering Job Description
Software Engineers write the code for websites, apps and software. Software Engineering teams often work together to thoroughly test their work and address problems before it goes live.