What Does a Software Engineer Do?

Software engineers design and create computer systems and applications to solve real-world problems.

Software engineers design, develop, and test software applications and computer systems. If you are an analytical thinker who enjoys solving problems and making technology easier to use, you may find a career as a software engineer rewarding.

In 1963, Margaret Hamilton, coined the term software engineering while working on developing the software for the Apollo spacecraft. At this time, software development faced a crisis in trying to keep up with the progress in hardware development. This period led to the rise of software engineering by introducing new programs and languages.

In 1968 and 1969, the NATO Software Engineering Conference took place, giving the software engineering industry a much-needed boost. By the 1980s, software engineering secured its place alongside the computer science and traditional engineering professions.

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.

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

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.

Choosing a career as a software engineer gives you opportunities to work in many different industries and fields, as nearly all businesses use software. Whe ther 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.

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). Jobs in software publishing tend to draw the biggest salaries.

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.

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:

• Programming 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