Software Engineer Career Information

A software engineer uses computer science and engineering principles to design and develop systems or applications that run on computers or other devices. Often, “software engineer” and “software developer” are used interchangeably. Generally speaking, while both developers and engineers build software, engineers focus on the whole system—not just one application or user. There are two main types of software engineers: application engineers and systems engineers.

What skills do you need to become a software engineer?

A software engineer needs to be a numbers expert with a big-picture mindset. Your solutions need to work in support of the greater business. You need to approach complex problems logically, with a focus on clarity, efficiency, and preventing future issues. In order to delegate to developers and programmers, as well as understand client needs, you need to be a team player with great communication skills. Attention to detail and the ability to multitask are important, too, as you’ll be dealing with a lot of moving parts.

What experience and/or certifications do you need to be a software engineer?

The vast majority of software engineer jobs require a bachelor’s degree, and some require a master’s. The most popular degrees for software engineers are computer engineering, computer systems engineering, computer science, and information technology. Before applying to be a software engineer, you should have experience with data structures, object-oriented programming, and software development methodologies. Software engineers tend to do less programming and more designing, but you should still have basic programming knowledge. While the exact tools and languages will vary based on the company, popular languages include Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML, C#, and SQL. Additionally, it’s helpful to know Excel.

Some countries, including Canada, require a license to have “engineer” in your title. Generally speaking, tech giants and Silicon Valley start-ups don’t look kindly on software engineer certifications—but small, non-tech companies might care about them. To build your knowledge of specific languages, you can take courses on Udemy or Coursera.

What companies and industries employ software engineers?  

Computer systems design services organizations are most likely to employ software engineers. Other industries that employ software engineers are manufacturing, software publishing, finance and insurance, and engineering. In addition to being hired as a software engineer, similar roles at these companies include back-end software developer, software test engineer, and systems engineer.

Where can a software engineer internship take you?

Companies in all major cities hire software engineers and developers, including Seattle, New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Austin. Check out the graph below for a snapshot of life after a software engineer/developer internship.

Chegg internal data model

What is the job outlook and salary for software engineer roles?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for software engineers and developers is projected to grow 21% over the next decade, which is much faster than average. The median annual salary for a software developer or engineer is $105,590.