What does a requirements engineer do?
Requirements engineers are responsible for the analysis, documentation, coordination, and management of requirements regarding new software projects. They identify and understand the customer's project-specific demands and document them in a clear and binding way. Their duties and responsibilities also include preparing well-written and detailed documentation of the project and ensuring the project is designed and built within the legal parameters.
Requirements engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real requirements engineer resumes:
- Lead deployment of ClearQuest for UUNet.
- Lead the requirements effort for several projects release to the FDA.
- Lead acceptance test plan and procedure development in a UNIX environment.
- Assist the scrum master to manage resources and facilitate for the team.
- Report, manage and escalate defects using the defect management tools JIRA, TFS & ClearQuest.
- Focuse on the planning, facilitating, capturing and managing of business requirements using the SDLC project methodology.
- Learned HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, enabling consultation with clients on knowledge content improvements.
- Automate stress testing for API and web UI, used data to perform cost and scalability analysis.
- Track defects and change requests in JIRA.
- Focus on interoperability, exchange, and persistence.
- Prepare appropriate process and/or story flows using Visio tool.
- Create SQL tables with specific attributes to hold patient data.
- Develop ruby script to find actual user when conflict occurs.
- Train DoD user's on a GOTS application for all correspondence.
- Design and cad in electrical layouts for commercial and residential properties.
Requirements engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 83% of Requirements Engineers are proficient in Java, Software Development, and PowerPoint. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Requirements Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 83%
Transformed usability designs into actionable development specifications and test plans for UI fundamentals, Java widgets and operator-specific cell phone applications.
- Software Development, 2%
Trained and experienced in the use of Agile methodologies in software development.
- PowerPoint, 1%
Created detailed work flow process maps and high quality PowerPoint 'decks' to be presented to the project team.
- Project Management, 1%
Implemented Requirements Management metrics for project management to access project execution risk.
- Infrastructure, 1%
Facilitated Engineering, Technical Review and Infrastructure Review Board meetings weekly.
- Design Reviews, 1%
Performed formal design reviews and hazard analysis.
Most requirements engineers use their skills in "java," "software development," and "powerpoint" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential requirements engineer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a requirements engineer to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role 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." Additionally, a requirements engineer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "translated technical specifications into detailed product requirements to ensure the seamless integration of software in the customer environment. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform requirements engineer duties is analytical skills. Requirements engineers responsibilities require that "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Requirements engineers also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "job responsibilities include engineering/deriving/developing requirements for modernization of a segmental program of nga and analysis of other foundational segments. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of requirements engineers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday requirements engineer duties, as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "managed requirements, documentation and internal communications using sharepoint. "
Creativity. For certain requirements engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "creativity." The day-to-day duties of a requirements engineer rely on this skill, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what requirements engineers do: "inventory and logistics conversion/interfaces, test scripts and plans, drafted functional specifications. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a requirements engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what requirements engineers relies on this skill, since "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." How this skill relates to requirements engineer duties can be seen in an example from a requirements engineer resume snippet: "partner with product development engineers to develop service friendly aftermarket spare part solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most requirements engineers are:
- Capital One2,412 requirements engineers jobs
- Deloitte833 requirements engineers jobs
- Amazon817 requirements engineers jobs
Compare different requirements engineers
Requirements engineer vs. Sql server developer
A structured query language (SQL) server developer is a specialist who is tasked to develop and maintain systems to store, organize, and access databases. With their experience in data architect and management, SQL server developers can develop and scale SQL databases based on the needs of their organization. They conduct troubleshooting in databases which involve data validation and extensive testing to ensure that the end user's specifications are met. They are also involved in the maintenance of the organization's server.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a requirements engineer are more likely to require skills like "java," "client facing," "software development," and "iterative development." On the other hand, a job as an sql server developer requires skills like "database objects," "sql server analysis," "ssrs," and "ssis packages." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Sql server developers earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $95,274. On the other hand, requirements engineers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $100,266.On average, sql server developers reach similar levels of education than requirements engineers. Sql server developers are 1.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Requirements engineer vs. Developer/consultant
A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. They also handle clients' inquiries and concerns, informing them about necessary adjustments to improve strategic procedures and processes. A developer/consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience with the technology industry.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real requirements engineer resumes. While requirements engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "client facing," "software development," "iterative development," and "powerpoint," developer/consultants use skills like "javascript," "hr," "microservices," and "jquery."
Developer/consultants may earn a higher salary than requirements engineers, but developer/consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $101,340. On the other hand, requirements engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $100,266.developer/consultants earn similar levels of education than requirements engineers in general. They're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for requirements engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Diana Jones
Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University
Requirements engineer vs. Programming internship
In programming internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to observe company practices and follow directions while exercising creativity in programming and computer development. Among the tasks may revolve around conducting thorough research and analysis, craft and develop software or even hardware to support a client's programming needs, generate codes, and monitor systems for any issues or inconsistencies. Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain an active communication line and coordination, as most of the tasks will be in a team setting.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, requirements engineers are more likely to have skills like "java," "client facing," "software development," and "iterative development." But a programming internship is more likely to have skills like "internship program," "python," "strong analytical," and "c++."
Programming interns make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $36,248. On the other hand, requirements engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $100,266.Most programming interns achieve a lower degree level compared to requirements engineers. For example, they're 13.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Requirements engineer vs. Etl developer
An ETL developer is responsible for managing data storage systems to secure the organization's data and files for daily operations efficiency. ETL developers perform multiple system testing to ensure the system's accuracy, perform coding adjustments, and troubleshoot for any defects and inconsistencies. They work closely with other development teams to design storage functions to optimize solutions. An ETL developer must have extensive knowledge of the technology industry and a strong command of programming languages to develop an accurate and operational database.
Types of requirements engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
