What Does a Software Engineer Do?

Software engineers design, develop, and test software applications and computer systems. If you’re an analytical thinker who enjoys solving problems and making technology 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.

What do software engineers do?

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

You can learn software engineering from Meta in just 7 months by enrolling in the Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate program:

Systems developer vs. application developer

Software engineers will usually fall into one of two categories, systems engineers or application developers. 

As a systems engineer, you’ll build things like computer systems and networks that applications need to function. 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 

Read more: What Are Computer Information Systems? Definition, Degree, and Careers

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 

If you're interested in a more administrative software engineering position, learning technical project management strategies like DevOps is an excellent place to start. You can familiarize yourself with DevOps and the software engineering life cycle while earning a Professional Certificate for your resume by enrolling in the following online program:

Read more: Software Developer vs. Software Engineer: What Are the Differences in These Roles

Is software engineering a good career?

If you enjoy solving problems and have strong analytical skills, a career as a software engineer can be both fun and challenging. 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.

How much do software engineers make?

Working as a software engineer can be challenging and engaging, and it also tends to pay well. The annual median software engineer salary in 2022 was $124,200, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [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 IT 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. 

Aspiring software engineers who haven't yet chosen a specialization can benefit from foundational training. You can master the basics in just two months by enrolling in IBM's flexible online program:

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

• Attention to detail

AI has become an in-demand skill for tech professionals. Get ahead of the curve by learning to leverage an AI coding partner for efficiency with Microsoft's Copilot for Software Development Specialization:

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

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

Do I need a degree to be a software engineer?

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related degree program is a common entry-level requirement for software engineers. However, a degree isn’t the only path toward a development job. Some employers accept alternative credentials such as certifications and equivalent experience in lieu of a degree. Research job postings for positions you're interested in to determine whether or not a degree is essential for your career path.

Become a software engineer with Coursera

You can take the next step toward a career in software engineering with one of these top-rated courses and certificate programs on Coursera:

Build job-ready skills with an industry expert by enrolling in IBM's DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate. You'll create applications in Python using essential tools and frameworks while learning to work productively on a team through Agile, DevOps, and Scrum methodologies.

Introduce yourself to core software engineering concepts with an accredited university through Duke University's Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization. You'll practice essential programming skills and build web pages using Java, CSS, and HTML, as well as learn the principles of software design.

To enhance your existing skill set and prepare for a more advanced role, consider enrolling in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Software Engineering Specialization. In addition to sharpening your engineering skills, you'll learn software project management, software design, and system engineering.