Software Engineer

Software Engineer Career Overview

Software engineers are information technology (IT) professionals who create, program, and implement solutions in databases and operating systems. These professionals also focus on testing systems and applications that make software-dependent devices operate properly.

Before starting projects, software engineers discuss software requirements with customers or employers, design the applications, and then install the solutions. Software engineers should be well versed in all aspects of designing, code writing, and software testing, since they may be required to do all or some of the above at any given time.

The collaborative nature of the job means that software engineers should possess excellent communication and teamwork skills. These are important skills to possess as it is necessary to explain key concepts to programmers.

Software Engineer Training and Education

Software engineers will be the most successful with a strong educational background and skill set. A computer science degree thoroughly prepares an individual for a career in software engineering. They also need to keep their skills up to date through ongoing training and certifications. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), for instance, provides widely recognized certification for software engineers. Software engineers should also possess strong communication skills, understand multiple programming languages, and have a firm grasp of rudimentary business functions. Depending on the IT sector a person works in--corporation, government, or association--there may be other educational requirements.

Software Engineer Salary Outlook

In an employment outlook study for 2002 through 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be 982,000 computer software engineers in 2012, compared to 675,000 in 2002. Furthermore, the Bureau adds that between 2006 and 2016, employment opportunities for computer software engineers will increase to 38%, which is on pace to exceed the average growth for other jobs.

PayScale's software engineers salary survey, which focused on responses from 2,710 engineers, indicates that US professionals with less than one year of experience have a median salary of $59,781 per year. Those with one to four years of experience have a median salary of $63,163 per year. And those with five to nine years of experience have a median salary of $76,325 per year. Moreover, the survey shows that the median salary continues to rise as software engineers add more work-related experience to their resumes.

Career Fields/Specializations

Software Developer

Software developers, as the term implies, are involved in the various tasks connected to creating software applications. Software developers focus on planning, designing, programming, and managing projects.

Software Architect

Software architects are responsible for the overall structure and design of computer applications. These professionals consider aspects such as security requirements, the amount of users the system needs to be able to support simultaneously, and how to keep the system up and running seven days a week.

User Interface Designer

User interface designers are responsible for designing the structure for internet and software access. Ease of use is an important consideration when taking on this career. User interface designers strive to provide a user interface that is user-friendly and logically laid out.

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