The job of a Software Engineer is to use their comprehensive knowledge of operating systems, software development, and different programming languages to build software solutions in line with the company’s requirements. By applying computer science principles to different phases of the development process, Software Engineers can create customized systems for specific clients.
A Software Engineer creates all kinds of software solutions, including games, mobile apps, network systems, web applications, operating systems, etc. They have extensive knowledge of code and plenty of experience with writing and implementing it efficiently and seamlessly. They are creative problem-solvers that are able to multitask and build innovative solutions.
Similar Job Titles:
Software Developer, Senior Software Engineer, Software Application Developer, Full Stack Developer
What Does a Software Engineer Generally Do?
The range of tasks that a Software Engineer performs depends on the project and the decisions of the engineering manager. Experienced Software Engineers are commonly hired to analyze, build, incorporate, and support software solutions made to fix specific issues. Their responsibilities generally depend on factors such as the size of the team and the product development stage.
The most common tasks that a Software Engineer performs are:
- Research and analyze solutions
- Design systems
- Implement code
- Provide continual support
Researching and Analyzing Solutions
Before they can build an effective system, a Software Engineer needs to research and analyze different solutions and technical documents. They need to gather as much information as they can to be able to determine the system and software requirements. Once they’ve identified the requirements, they can create a new document that will help with the system design.
Software Engineers also perform a feasibility study, with the goal to figure out if developing the software is both financially and technically feasible. The study consists of comprehending the problem and coming up with different strategies to solve it. The Software Engineer singles out the best solution based on the analysis of its benefits and downsides.
Designing Systems
A Software Engineer translates the requirements they identified through research into a structure that can be incorporated into a design.
The tasks of a Software Engineer depend on whether they are working on the front-end or the back-end. A front-end Software Engineer pays attention to the aspects of the software that the user can see. A back-end Software Engineer builds the technical foundation for the system.
Implementing Code
Incorporating code into the product’s infrastructure is one of the main goals of a Software Engineer. They need to choose an adequate programming language to translate the software design into source code.
Most commonly, Software Engineers work in a team and focus on particular back-end and front-end components.
Providing Continual Support
Once they’ve created a product, Software Engineers need to maintain it. Since the product is never finished, a Software Engineer needs to continually provide support via updates and patches. Whenever there is an issue, such as a bug or an error that affects the user experience, it’s the Software Engineer’s job to create, implement, and test a patch.
Software Engineers most commonly work with the QA teams to provide continual support during the software development life cycle (SDLC).
Roles a Software Engineer Typically Collaborates With
A Software Engineer collaborates with a range of crucial roles within the company, such as:
| Roles Software Engineers Collaborate With | ||
| IT Director | Quality Assurance Tester | Front-End Developer |
| Chief Executive Officer | Computer Programmer | IT Specialist |
| DevOps Engineer | IT Consultant | Project Manager |
Software Engineer Salary
The average salary of a Software Engineer in the United States is $92,000 per year.
Based on various factors, such as their skill set, education, and experience, a Software Engineer earns from $63,000 to $134,00.
What Is the Software Engineer Pay Difference by Location?
Let’s take a look at the average salary of a Software Engineer in some of the major cities in the United States:
| San Francisco, CA | $87,223 |
| Seattle, WA | $76,295 |
| Denver, CO | $70,567 |
| Austin, TX | $68,627 |
| Washington, DC | $77,677 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,059 |
| Boston, MA | $78,619 |
| New York, NY | $83,943 |
What Is the Software Engineer Pay Difference by Experience?
Based on how many years of experience they have, a Software Engineer earns approximately:
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
| < 1 | $76,000 |
| 1–4 | $83,000 |
| 5–9 | $94,000 |
| 10–19 | $104,000 |
| 20+ | $112,000 |
Software Engineer Job Description Template
[Company Name] is looking for a proficient Software Engineer that will work with our exceptional software development team to research, analyze, and design top-notch software solutions. You will work both with clients and different departments to communicate ideas, proposals, and project status reports.
Working at [Company], your job will be to identify user requirements, design appropriate systems, and implement code using different programming languages. You need to have extensive knowledge of the software development cycle, from analytics to deployment.
We are looking for applicants with an innovative mindset and strong analytical and technical skills. They need to be able to work in an agile environment and take the lead when needed.
Software Engineer Responsibilities
- Collect information and identify system and software requirements
- Create layouts and technical documentation based on requirements
- Produce well-designed code that can be tested and improved
- Incorporate software into a fully operational system
- Troubleshoot systems, and design upgrades and patches
- Set up software solutions and assess user feedback
- Execute the complete software development cycle
- Ensure that the solutions comply with industry standards
Software Engineer Requirements
- Previous experience working as a Software Engineer or Software Developer
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or another relevant field
- Ability to write code and develop software solutions using programming languages such as C++ and Java
- Proficiency in identifying system and software requirements and documenting them
- Comprehensive understanding of web frameworks such as JSF, GWT, and Wicket
- Solid experience in testing, debugging, and troubleshooting software solutions
- Mastery of software engineering tools