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What does a networking/software engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.

Networking or software engineers are responsible for designing and maintaining systems connecting electronic devices and computers. They build and maintain a company's computer networks, including local area networks, intranet, wide area network, and extranet. Other duties include performing data backups and disaster recovery operations, diagnosing and troubleshooting software, hardware, and network problems, and monitoring the performance of computer networks. Networking or software engineers also design, configure, and test computer hardware, operating system software, and networking software.

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Networking/software engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real networking/software engineer resumes:

  • Lead testing the component integration test for WMR software on the remote test beds for simulating on UNIX solaria systems.
  • Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
  • Create Mysql database backup system in Java programming language.
  • Design, coding and debugging of QoS (class-map, policy-map) in ZebOS and relate to CLIs on Linux.
  • Support Microsoft, Unix and Netware servers and PC workstations.
  • Design corporate web site using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Participate on an MVC project to collaborate with Spanish language resources.
  • Design and development of an ASP.NET MVC project from the ground up.
  • Used JQuery extensively to implement front end /user interface features in the application.
  • Authore client and server software and enhancement with the scrum or agile development process.
  • Create web pages exhibiting process time statistics of PL/SQL functions used by the client.
  • Develop action classes used to gather data from controller hardware into a JSON format.
  • Lead daily scrum meetings as well as contribute as a team member during development sprints.
  • Develop a GUI management system using Java and SNMP MIBs for IBM's corporate wireless network.
  • Work with the development team to analyze failures in builds and provide assistance in debugging code.

Networking/software engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Networking/Software Engineers are proficient in Java, Python, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Multitasking skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Networking/Software Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 15%

    Used Sun's NetBeans software to develop, write and test Java applications for Microsoft Office interface.

  • Python, 12%

    Led a team in the development of a radio emulator based on Tactical Secure Voice technologies using Python over serial ports.

  • Linux, 6%

    Project Manager for wireless Linux adapter support and deployment.

  • Software Development, 6%

    Develop and submit proposals for networking and software development projects to management.

  • Tcp Ip, 5%

    Programmed basic sockets: UDP/TCP IP.

  • C, 4%

    Debugged, modified vendor's protocol stack code (LAPD, frame relay, custom RTOS) in C and assembler.

Most networking/software engineers use their skills in "java," "python," and "linux" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential networking/software engineer responsibilities here:

Multitasking skills. The most essential soft skill for a networking/software engineer to carry out their responsibilities is multitasking skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." Additionally, a networking/software engineer resume shows how their duties depend on multitasking skills: "work in an integration development environment to build embedded systems software for real-time, multitasking radar computer systems. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform networking/software engineer duties is analytical skills. Networking/software engineers responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Networking/software engineers also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed the software code for the pinging aspect of a data packet in java and oracle. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of networking/software engineers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday networking/software engineer duties, as "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "worked on a data communications product - ethernet and token ring. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain networking/software engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a networking/software engineer rely on this skill, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what networking/software engineers do: "resolved performance issues for virtual machine traffic on 40gbe ethernet cards, improving the throughput 7.6times. "

See the full list of networking/software engineer skills

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Compare different networking/software engineers

Networking/software engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

If we compare the average networking/software engineer annual salary with that of an engineer, we find that engineers typically earn a $24,113 lower salary than networking/software engineers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between networking/software engineers and engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like java, python, and c #.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a networking/software engineer are more likely to require skills like "software development," "c," "network infrastructure," and "network management." On the other hand, a job as an engineer requires skills like "cloud," "aws," "troubleshoot," and "windows." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Engineers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,672. In contrast, networking/software engineers make the biggest average salary, $146,936, in the start-up industry.engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than networking/software engineers. In fact, engineers are 6.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Networking/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.

On average, software analysts earn a $37,790 lower salary than networking/software engineers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Networking/software engineers and software analysts both require similar skills like "java," "linux," and "software development" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real networking/software engineer resumes. While networking/software engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "c #," "tcp ip," and "c," software analysts use skills like "troubleshoot," "test data," "scrum," and "business process."

Software analysts earn a lower average salary than networking/software engineers. But software analysts earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $86,986. Additionally, networking/software engineers earn the highest salaries in the start-up with average pay of $146,936 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Software analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than networking/software engineers. In fact, they're 6.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for networking/software engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Networking/software engineer vs. Systems engineer

Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.

An average systems engineer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of networking/software engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to systems engineers earning a $33,356 lower average salary than networking/software engineers.networking/software engineers and systems engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "python," and "c #," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, networking/software engineers are more likely to have skills like "software development," "c," "api," and "ui." But a systems engineer is more likely to have skills like "dod," "troubleshoot," "matlab," and "project management."

Systems engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $96,218. On the other hand, networking/software engineers are paid the highest salary in the start-up industry, with average annual pay of $146,936.Most systems engineers achieve a lower degree level compared to networking/software engineers. For example, they're 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Networking/software engineer vs. Software engineer-consultant

A software engineer consultant develops and recommends strategies to optimize a company's software engineering operations. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis to find new opportunities, performing software evaluations and risk assessments, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, and developing solutions against problem areas. Through the findings of their research, a software engineer consultant draws conclusions and recommendations that will help the company to reach their short and long-term goals and resolve issues or concerns.

Software engineers-consultant tend to earn a lower pay than networking/software engineers by an average of $2,203 per year.While both networking/software engineers and software engineers-consultant complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like java, python, and linux, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between networking/software engineers and software engineers-consultant, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a networking/software engineer might have more use for skills like "c #," "tcp ip," "switches," and "network infrastructure." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of software engineers-consultant require skills like "architecture," "scrum," "web application," and "spring boot. "

In general, software engineers-consultant earn the most working in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $118,185. The highest-paying industry for a networking/software engineer is the start-up industry.In general, software engineers-consultant hold similar degree levels compared to networking/software engineers. Software engineers-consultant are 0.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of networking/software engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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