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What does a software design engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.
What does a software design engineer do

A software design engineer or SDE is part of a software development enterprise. Software design engineers determine the problems or issues and figure out how to establish programs to ease and automate the situations. They fabricate style sheets for the management of the individual aspects of huge engineering projects. It is their job to develop strategies for hardware architecture and software engineering. They also handle and mentor engineering interns for professional guidance.

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Software design engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software design engineer resumes:

  • Fabricate style sheets to manage the look-and-feel of the site using CSS, bootstrap and XML.
  • Work on HMI (including both GUI and SUI) apps for shell menu and device manage app.
  • Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.
  • Code are developed under Linux using C++.
  • Develop and invent a tool to auto-generate HTML for hypertext navigation of the XML source code for ADT.
  • Participate in the design architecture, documentation, development, and testing using C++ on a UNIX base system.
  • Test Wi-Fi device utilizing Linux platform.
  • Work on migrating backend components to SQL azure.
  • Validate the application by executing the test scripts on AWS.
  • Lead efforts on multiple applications by following the complete SDLC process.
  • Create data sets using MapReduce for training and python service for fetching recommendations.
  • Participate in the daily scrum meeting and update the status with the team.
  • Outline and deliver server applications and OS upgrade paths for existing install base.
  • Execute the test scripts on multiple instances for different environments host by AWS.
  • Create and deploy variety of web pages with HTML, JSP, and JavaScript.

Software design engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Software Design Engineers are proficient in Software Development, Python, and Software Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

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

  • Software Development, 7%

    Implemented a software-testing infrastructure with third party applications to support cross-site, cross-continent software development.

  • Python, 7%

    Developed a Test Generator framework and Automation Scripts in Python.

  • Software Design, 7%

    Structured software design for embedded test implementation efforts and performed software requirements analysis for mission and BIT software essential models.

  • Java, 6%

    Developed a Java EE application platform for business customers.

  • Linux, 5%

    Design and develop software applications, system solutions, under Linux, Windows, WinXP embedded, and PocketPC Environments.

  • GIT, 4%

    Maintain Configuration Management (CM) git repositories for internal/external developed software and resolve subsystem to subsystem daily merge/integration issues.

Common skills that a software design engineer uses to do their job include "software development," "python," and "software design." You can find details on the most important software design engineer responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a software design engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what software design engineers do because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software design engineer resume shows how software design engineers use analytical skills: "developed automation framework both data driven and hybrid using selenium webdriver in java and performing unit testing by using testng. "

Communication skills. Many software design engineer duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a software design engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software design engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "implemented java plugins for telecommunications network provisioning software. "

Creativity. software design engineers are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to software design engineer responsibilities, because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." A software design engineer resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "created pc inventory application in perl. "

Detail oriented. software design engineer responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "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." This resume example shows what software design engineers do with detail oriented on a typical day: "conducted detailed analysis of requirements and designed 3-tier client/server application in java. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in software design engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what software design engineers do. Software design 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 software design engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "delivered complete solution, developing custom rules with java to integrate with packaged software. "

Most common software design engineer skills

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Compare different software design engineers

Software design 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.

The annual salary of software analysts is $20,399 lower than the average salary of software design engineers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between software design engineers and software analysts are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like software development, java, and linux.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between software design engineers and software analyst. For instance, software design engineer responsibilities require skills such as "python," "software design," "git," and "azure." Whereas a software analyst is skilled in "troubleshoot," "test data," "business process," and "jira." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Software analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $86,986. On the other hand, software design engineers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $108,183.The education levels that software analysts earn slightly differ from software design engineers. In particular, software analysts are 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a software design engineer. Additionally, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software design engineer vs. Computer engineer

A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology. Computer engineers are responsible for computer hardware design, development, research, and test computer systems. They examine components like circuit boards, processors, memory devices, routers, and networks. While, those working with the computer software are in charge of the development, design, and administration of software programs.

A career as a computer engineer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a software design engineer. In fact, computer engineers salary is $1,994 lower than the salary of software design engineers per year.A few skills overlap for software design engineers and computer engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "software development," "python," and "java. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real software design engineer resumes. While software design engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "software design," "git," "web services," and "ui," computer engineers use skills like "c #," "dod," "opencv," and "matlab."

On average, computer engineers earn a lower salary than software design engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, computer engineers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $117,704. Whereas software design engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,183.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Computer engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than software design engineers. In fact, they're 6.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software design 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.

Software design engineer vs. Senior systems software engineer

A senior systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.

On average, senior systems software engineers earn higher salaries than software design engineers, with a $23,476 difference per year.software design engineers and senior systems software engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "software development," "python," and "software design," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a software design engineer is likely to be skilled in "git," "test automation," "t-sql," and "application development," while a typical senior systems software engineer is skilled in "architecture," "json," "matlab," and "sdlc."

Senior systems software engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $125,048. Software design engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,183.Most senior systems software engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to software design engineers. For example, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software design 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 average a higher salary than the annual salary of software design engineers. The difference is about $15,188 per year.While both software design engineers and software engineers-consultant complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like software development, python, and java, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between software design engineers and software engineers-consultant, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software design engineer might have more use for skills like "software design," "debugging," "html css," and "test automation." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of software engineers-consultant require skills like "architecture," "junit," "jira," and "sdlc. "

The insurance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for software engineers-consultant, with average annual pay of $118,185. Comparatively, the highest software design engineer annual salary comes from the technology industry.The average resume of software engineers-consultant showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to software design engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of software design 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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