What Does a Software Engineer Do?

Software engineers, also called software developers, create software for computers and applications. Software development involves the technical skills to create a development project and make it functional while also requiring the creative skills to design all of a project's visual and artistic aspects. If you’re an analytical thinker who enjoys solving problems and making digital products easier, a career as a software engineer may be rewarding.

Discover how to start a career in software engineering, including software engineering jobs, average salary information, education requirements, and the day-to-day responsibilities you might face in this role. 

What is software engineering?

Software engineering involves creating new software, from designing and developing through testing and quality assurance to maintaining and updating software after release. It is always changing as new technology and tools disrupt the process and change how the work is completed. Often mistaken for software development, software engineering is a broader umbrella for releasing large-scale projects like software systems instead of one-off projects like a mobile app. 

What does a software engineer do?

Successful engineers know how to use suitable programming languages, platforms, and architectures to develop everything from computer games to network control systems. In addition to building their 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

• Optimising 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

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

Systems developer vs application developer

Software engineers usually fall into one of two categories: systems developers, who focus on creating and maintaining the underlying software infrastructure, such as operating systems, and application developers, who design and build user-facing applications that run on these systems. 

As a systems developer (sometimes called a backend engineer), you’ll build 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 

Is software engineering worth it?

If you enjoy solving problems and have strong analytical skills, a career as a software engineer can be both fun and challenging. India’s software market is projected to reach 15.89 billion USD by 2029 [1]. For this reason, a career in software engineering has a high potential to be in demand in the coming years.

Software engineer salary

According to Glassdoor, the annual average salary for a software engineer in India is ₹8,56,500 as of August 2024 [2]. This yearly salary increases with experience, as senior software engineers earn ₹16,00,000 on average in India, and software engineer IVs can expect around ₹27,00,000 annually [2].

Software engineering jobs

Software engineering offers diverse job opportunities, from developing user-friendly applications to designing complex systems that power entire networks. As a software engineer, you can choose to specialise in areas like application development or systems engineering, with career paths that can lead to roles such as senior software engineer, project manager, or systems architect. Emerging fields like blockchain development, information security, and robotics engineering also offer exciting new job prospects. 

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 jobs for software engineers are available. 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 different countries. 

Blockchain developer

Average salary in India (Glassdoor): ₹6,75,000 [3]

As a blockchain developer, you help create software programs that use the blockchain. In this role, you might work with software to handle sensitive transactions and store data on the blockchain. You need to understand security protocols as you may handle sensitive client data such as cryptocurrency or digital assets. 

Information security engineer

Average salary in India (Glassdoor): ₹9,00,000 [4]

As an information security engineer, you create systems to protect software and networks from cyber threats and attacks. In this role, you work with other departments to oversee security protocols and procedures, respond to events, and conduct security audits to identify weaknesses. 

Robotics engineer 

Average salary in India (Glassdoor): ₹5,00,000 [5]

As a robotics engineer, you help create robotic systems that function in place of human labour. This can include maintaining machines or creating new software to operate a piece of robotic equipment. In this role, you can work in many different industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, research, or national defence. 

How to become a software engineer 

To become a software engineer, you need a combination of training and experience, starting with a foundation in computer science principles. You'll also need programming proficiency in programming languages. Some jobs also require specific qualifications or certifications to validate your skills.

Step 1: Post-secondary education

Software engineers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree, and common degrees for software engineers include a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in software engineering or a related field like computer science or information technology. At the undergraduate level, many students must complete an entrance exam to enter a software engineer or software developer-related programme. These exams include JEE Main or Advanced, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, MHTCET, or BITSAT.

Step 2: Postgraduate education

A master’s degree, such as a Master of Technology (MTech) or a Master of Science (MS), can increase your earning potential and expand your professional opportunities. These advanced degrees allow you to specialise in high-demand areas such as mobile development, big data, web applications, or DevOps. Many universities offer programmes tailored to working professionals, so you can stay employed while pursuing a degree.  However, you may need to take an entrance exam, such as GATE or PGECET.

Step 3: Boot camps or certificate programs

While many employers prefer candidates with a degree, you can find other ways to enhance your skill set, such as a certificate course or boot camp. “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 side projects was the most helpful,” says Laila Rizvi, a software engineer at Meta.

A diploma in software engineering can be completed in about one year. Taking a coding boot camp or participating in a relevant internship is a popular way to build your skills and prepare for a job in this industry. When looking for an internship, continue looking through your academic institution, on local job boards, or connecting with professionals online.

Software engineering skills

As a software developer, you need a combination of technical and workplace skills. This requires a combination of technical know-how and solid communication skills. To prepare yourself for a career in software engineering, explore these skills to build:

Software engineering technical skills

• 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

• Scripting languages such as Perl or Shell

• Building automation technologies like Maven or Jenkins

• API-building services like REST or SOAP

Software engineering workplace skills

• Attention to detail

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Problem-solving

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 job listings of roles you’re interested in before preparing for a certification exam. Some common options include:

• Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

• C Certified Professional Programmer (CLP)

• C++ Certified Professional Programmer (CPP)

• AWS Certified Developer

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

Software engineer Professional Certificates

You can also earn a Professional Certificate to fill in gaps in your education or learn new skills without a degree program. For example, these three programmes can help you build software engineering skills and prepare for a job in the field: 

• IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate

• Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate

• IBM Back-End Development Professional Certificate

Get started in software engineering with Coursera

A career as a software engineer allows you to pursue many different specialisations and participate in different aspects of the development process. Take the next step in your career as a software engineer by polishing up some essential skills with professional certificates from industry leader Meta. With the Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate and Meta Back-End Developer Professional Certificate, you can gain hands-on experience with industry tools.