Become A Senior Software Engineer/Architect

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Working As A Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Interacting With Computers
Thinking Creatively
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Getting Information
Analyzing Data or Information

Mostly Sitting
$110,460
Average Salary

What Does A Senior Software Engineer/Architect Do

A Senior Software Engineer/Architect is responsible for developing information systems. They plan, develop, and install software solutions.

How To Become A Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Software developers usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and strong computer programming skills.

Education

Software developers usually have a bachelor’s degree, typically in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. A degree in mathematics is also acceptable. Computer science degree programs are the most common, because they tend to cover a broad range of topics. Students should focus on classes related to building software in order to better prepare themselves for work in the occupation. For some positions, employers may prefer a master’s degree.

Although writing code is not their first priority, developers must have a strong background in computer programming. They usually gain this experience in school. Throughout their career, developers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages.

Software developers also need skills related to the industry in which they work. Developers working in a bank, for example, should have knowledge of finance so that they can understand a bank’s computing needs.

Other Experience

Many students gain experience in software development by completing an internship at a software company while in college.

Some software developers first work as computer programmers and then are given more responsibility as they gain experience. Eventually, they become developers.

Advancement

Software developers can advance to become information technology (IT) project managers, also called computer and information systems managers, a position in which they oversee the software development process.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs.

Communication skills. Developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project. They must also explain to their customers how the software works and answer any questions that arise.

Computer skills. Developers must understand computer capabilities and programming languages in order to design effective software.

Creativity. Developers are the creative minds behind new computer software.

Detail oriented. 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.

Interpersonal skills. Software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software.

Problem-solving skills. Because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process.

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Senior Software Engineer/Architect jobs

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Senior Software Engineer/Architect Career Paths

Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Senior Software Architect Chief Technology Officer

Chief Information Officer

11 Yearsyrs

Director Of Software Development Vice President Of Engineering

Chief Technology Officer

11 Yearsyrs

Chief Technology Officer Technical Consultant Network Administrator

Director Of Information

10 Yearsyrs

Director Of Software Development Senior Project Manager Senior Product Manager

Principal Product Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Owner Merchandiser Product Manager

Product Manager, Mobile

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Software Architect Senior Architect

Senior Project Manager

12 Yearsyrs

Chief Technology Officer Senior Project Manager Contractor/Consultant

Senior Software Engineer

6 Yearsyrs

Software Development Manager Program Manager Engineering Director

Vice President Of Engineering

13 Yearsyrs

Software Development Manager Project Manager Senior Manager

Vice President Of Information Technology

12 Yearsyrs

Owner Property Manager Assistant Vice President

Vice President, Technology

11 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Software Systems Engineer 4.2 years
Senior Software Engineer/Architect 4.0 years
Senior Software Development Engineer 4.0 years
Software Engineer/Technical Lead 3.9 years
Senior Software Engineer 3.9 years
Software Engineer/Architect 3.9 years
Advanced Software Engineer 3.8 years
Software Engineer-Team Lead 3.6 years
Senior Software Architect 3.6 years
Senior Software Engineer Lead 3.4 years
Software Engineer Lead 3.4 years
Lead Software Developer 3.3 years
Software Architect 3.2 years
Software Engineer 3.2 years
Senior Software Programmer 3.2 years
Lead Architect/Developer 3.0 years
Lead Software Architect 3.0 years
Senior Web Application Developer 2.9 years
Software Consultant 2.8 years
Software Engineer-Consultant 2.8 years
Senior/Lead Developer 2.7 years
Software Developer 2.7 years
Contract Software Engineer 2.6 years
Java Software Developer 1.9 years
Associate Software Engineer 1.7 years
Assistant Software Engineer 1.6 years
Software Developer Internship 0.5 years

Top Careers Before Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Top Careers After Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Senior Software Engineer/Architect Demographics

Gender

Male
86.5%
Female
8.6%
Unknown
4.9%

Ethnicity

White
66.5%
Asian
20.5%
Hispanic or Latino
7.1%
Unknown
4.8%
Black or African American
1.0%

Languages Spoken

Carrier
37.5%
Spanish
25.0%
Russian
12.5%
Norwegian
12.5%
Portuguese
12.5%

Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Senior Software Engineer/Architect Education

Schools

George Mason University
10.3%
University of Phoenix
7.4%
Pennsylvania State University
5.9%
Michigan State University
5.9%
San Jose State University
4.4%
Jacksonville State University
4.4%
Texas Tech University
4.4%
University of Central Florida
4.4%
New York University
4.4%
Florida Atlantic University
4.4%
Texas State University
4.4%
University of Louisville
4.4%
Rochester Institute of Technology
4.4%
Georgia Institute of Technology -
4.4%
University of Houston
4.4%
University of California - Berkeley
4.4%
Colorado Technical University
4.4%
Texas A&M University
4.4%
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
4.4%
New Jersey Institute of Technology
4.4%

Majors

Degrees

Bachelors
43.1%
Masters
35.4%
Other
10.7%
Doctorate
6.2%
Associate
2.2%
Certificate
2.0%
Diploma
0.2%

Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Temporary

Real Senior Software Engineer/Architect Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Senior Software Engineer/Architect-Big Data PLA	Netflix, Inc.	Los Gatos, CA	Apr 28, 2014	$250,000
Senior Software Engineer/Architect	Seismic Software, Inc.	Solana Beach, CA	Mar 25, 2016	$220,000
Senior Software Developer/Architect	Seismic Software, Inc.	Solana Beach, CA	Mar 25, 2016	$220,000
SR. Software Engineer Architect	Randstad Technologies, LP	San Jose, CA	Sep 04, 2012	$204,526
SR. Software Engineer Architect	Randstad Technologies, LP	San Jose, CA	May 09, 2012	$204,526
SR. Software Engineer Architect	Spherion Corporation	Pleasanton, CA	Sep 06, 2009	$198,265
SR. Software Developer/System Architect	Reliance First Capital, LLC	Melville, NY	Oct 01, 2013	$160,000
Senior Software Developer/Architect	Galaxe.Solutions, Inc.	Somerset, NJ	Jul 04, 2016	$159,671
Senior Software Developer/Architect	Galaxe.Solutions, Inc.	Richardson, TX	Jul 04, 2016	$159,671
Senior Software Developer/Architect	PCC Technology, Inc.	Windsor, CT	Sep 18, 2016	$150,000
Senior Software Engineer/Architect	Techlink Systems Inc.	San Francisco, CA	May 18, 2012	$149,760
Senior Software Engineer and Architect	Graphdive Inc.	Palo Alto, CA	Apr 02, 2012	$145,000
Senior Software Development Architect	Inovalon, Inc.	Bowie, MD	May 19, 2016	$127,379
Senior Software Engineer/Architect	Teklead Corp.	Los Angeles, CA	Aug 26, 2013	$126,000
Senior Software Engineer/Architect	Teklead Corp.	Los Angeles, CA	Aug 01, 2012	$126,000
SR Software Engineer/Architect	Apple Inc.	Cupertino, CA	Jun 27, 2011	$125,000
Senior Software Engineer/Architect	Newlinenoosh, Inc.	Mountain View, CA	Nov 07, 2011	$125,000
Senior Software Engineer/Architect	Web2Web Marketing, Inc.	San Francisco, CA	Sep 17, 2012	$125,000
Senior Software Engineer/Product Architect	Solbright, Inc.	New York, NY	Apr 13, 2010	$120,500
Senior Software Engineer/Architect	Verisurf Software, Inc.	Anaheim, CA	Jul 16, 2012	$100,000 - $130,000
Senior Software Developer/Architect	The Rogosin Institute	New York, NY	Jul 05, 2010	$100,000
Senior Software Developer/Architect	Runbeck Election Services, Inc.	Tempe, AZ	May 19, 2011	$99,237
Senior Software Engineer and Architect	5 Examples, Inc.	Cary, NC	Oct 01, 2012	$98,500
Senior Software Engineer and Architect	5 Examples, Inc.	Cary, NC	Sep 01, 2013	$98,500
Senior Software Developer & Architect	August Ninth Analyses, Inc.	Scarsdale, NY	Sep 28, 2015	$98,400
Senior Software Engineer and Architect	John Mezzalingua Associates LLC	Deerfield, IL	Jan 03, 2016	$98,000 - $128,000

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Top Skills for A Senior Software Engineer/Architect

Top Senior Software Engineer/Architect Skills

Web Application
Pl/Sql
Architecture

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Design web applications and maintain content for .Net based systems.
Develop / Tune / Test PL/SQL programs and batch processes in Pro*C and Java.
Worked on the Architecture, design and implementation of the Profile2.0 Identity Service based on the Liberty Spec.
Assisted in Oracle Database with Enterprise Manager and External Procedure Call setup.
Utilized MS SQL Server 2000, MS SQL Server 7 and My SQL.