What does a computer software engineer do?
A computer software engineer designs, develops, and maintains computer systems and software using their knowledge of computer programming languages, engineering principles, and computer operating systems. As a computer software engineer, your duties will vary depending on your specialization but typically include reviewing and analyzing the client's needs and requirements, designing, developing, and testing the software application to ensure those needs are met, and creating algorithms to instruct the computer what to do. You are also expected to provide software upgrades recommendations for existing applications or systems.
Computer software engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer software engineer resumes:
- Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.
- Authore PHP, Perl, and JAVA scripts for various other department projects.
- Compile for Linux and BSD Unix.
- Develop the front-end of the application using JSP and Perl.
- Start using Java and end up using C++ due to performance issues.
- Assist with testing, modifying, and debugging new and existing programs.
- Have been on customer visitation and field/user trials and debugging issues in relate products
- Develop 3D visualization program to illustrate project fuel levels for aircraft on grind.
- Generate automated reports in XML, ASP.NET, and HTML for government clients.
- Develop a plugin for the Rsyslog and Rabbitmq Linux modules to be used for an upcoming project.
- Ensure that the quality and timely deployment of the product by collaborating with QA and deployment through JIRA board.
- Work closely with other developers, user, and testers from the QA group, along with system and database administrators.
- Develop automated scripts for web application UI validation.
- Simulate VPN providers primarily for communication between isolate IPv4 and IPv6 customer sites.
- Develop and maintain a common storage configuration/monitoring API and an accompanying command line utility.
Computer software engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Computer Software Engineers are proficient in Python, Software Development, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Computer Software Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 19%
Developed stand-a-lone applications using Python, PyGTK, GTK+, Glade3, MySQL-python, and PyDev for the Eclipse IDE.
- Software Development, 13%
Research and software development in speech signal processing under contract with the Automation Faculty, Polytechnic University of Bucharest
- Java, 12%
Worked with the Apache Struts framework for Java based web development.
- Linux, 7%
Provided Linux systems administration for various projects during my career.
- Object Oriented Programming, 5%
Developed Web Based Banking Applications like Brand Migration, Mortgage Module Development and Snapshot Functionality using Object Oriented Programming.
- MATLAB, 4%
Performed MATLAB simulations for design and optimization.
Most computer software engineers use their skills in "python," "software development," and "java" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential computer software engineer responsibilities here:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a computer software engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what computer software engineers do because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Additionally, a computer software engineer resume shows how computer software engineers use creativity: "project inventory database developed on pc using paradox for windows. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling computer software engineer duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." According to a computer software engineer resume, here's how computer software engineers can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "developed object-oriented perl with dbi calls and korn shell scripts for advertising system monitoring applications. "
Analytical skills. This is an important skill for computer software engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how computer software engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a computer software engineer: "invented a novel data visualization for my algorithm's data and built a gui around it. ".
Communication skills. For certain computer software engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a computer software engineer rely on this skill, as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what computer software engineers do: "code developed on unix platforms in c. my subsystem was the data communications function. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in computer software engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what computer software engineers do. Computer software engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." You can also see how computer software engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "maintain direct interaction with customer on a bi-weekly basis to attain buy-in on proposed software solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most computer software engineers are:
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Compare different computer software engineers
Computer software engineer vs. Software analyst
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between computer software engineers and software analyst. For instance, computer software engineer responsibilities require skills such as "c #," "python," "matlab," and "opencv." Whereas a software analyst is skilled in "c++," "troubleshoot," "test data," and "scrum." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Software analysts tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $86,986. In contrast, computer software engineers make the biggest average salary, $112,541, in the finance industry.software analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than computer software engineers. In fact, software analysts are 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Computer software engineer vs. Software developer
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real computer software engineer resumes. While computer software engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "c #," "matlab," "opencv," and "cpu," software developers use skills like "c++," "javascript," "database," and "git."
Software developers earn a lower average salary than computer software engineers. But software developers earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $96,138. Additionally, computer software engineers earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $112,541 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Software developers tend to reach similar levels of education than computer software engineers. In fact, they're 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for computer software engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Computer software engineer vs. Data engineer
A data engineer is someone who makes data science possible. This IT job requires the search for data set trends and algorithm development to make raw data more beneficial to the enterprise. Data engineers are responsible for establishing and maintaining an environment that permits other data functions. The necessary skills for the job include in-depth knowledge of multiple programming languages and SQL database design. Among the other skills data engineers should develop include data warehousing and architecture, data mining and modeling, and statistical regression analysis.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a computer software engineer is likely to be skilled in "software development," "matlab," "opencv," and "cpu," while a typical data engineer is skilled in "cloud," "etl," "scala," and "kafka."
Data engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $125,579. Computer software engineers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $112,541.Most data engineers achieve a higher degree level compared to computer software engineers. For example, they're 6.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computer software engineer vs. Software development engineer
A software development engineer is responsible for designing and developing software systems and applications based on clients' specifications and business needs. Software development engineers manage operating systems and analyze network codes to maintain the compatibility of the software applications and control systems. They also run diagnostic tests for every software structure to ensure smooth navigations and perform immediate troubleshooting for inconsistencies. A software development engineer must have a strong command of programming languages, as well as technological processes and analytical skills.
Types of computer software engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
