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What does a software development engineer do?

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

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.

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Software development engineer responsibilities

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

  • Used JavaScript to perform client side validations and managing DOM components.
  • Develop dynamic e-mails using JavaScript, and hand coding of HTML, XHTML, and CSS.
  • Used git for source management and Jenkins for continuous integration to perform the regression testing.
  • Develop Junit test cases and maven scripts.
  • Update the CocoaPods and other require ruby gems.
  • Maintain the code repository on SVN through frequent updates.
  • Upload the code to the centralized code using git process.
  • Used JQuery where necessary to provide a great user experience.
  • Follow release management process and responsible for version control of SVN.
  • Develop new windows in forte application to check the behavior of the proxies.
  • Design a behavior driven framework using cucumber, ruby, and call page object.
  • Involve in web application development from scratch which is conversion of existing windows application.
  • Develop python tools to greatly speed up creation of new slots for the other mobile developers.
  • Participate in daily scrum, sprint planning, sprint grooming, sprint review and sprint retro meetings.
  • Create PowerProbe's web user interface and back end communication using HTML, JavaScript, and AJAX.

Software development engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Software Development Engineers are proficient in Java, Software Development, and AWS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

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

  • Java, 17%

    Developed and customized different web-based applications and services based on modern Java and J2EE technologies and client requirements.

  • Software Development, 10%

    Focused on business application software development * Designed and developed Finger Print Identity System for Hitachi using PKI and CryptoAPI.

  • AWS, 8%

    Validated application performance during AWS migration and analyzed the results.

  • Python, 7%

    Developed Python framework for automating performance characterization and analysis of system.

  • Web Services, 3%

    Developed software for system management, specifically for support of the WS-Management XML Web Services system management protocol.

  • Object Oriented Programming, 3%

    Improved software application by applying the principles of Object Oriented programming.

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

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a software development engineer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software development engineer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "developed database scripts and stored procedures and mapping between relational database tables and object oriented java objects using hibernate. "

Communication skills. Many software development engineer duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a software development engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software development engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "configured project environment for flex - spring java communication using blazeds remoting service. "

Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of software development engineers is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday software development engineer duties, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "invented and developed desktop data administration java application which featured row level security capability. "

Detail oriented. A big part of what software development engineers do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to software development engineer responsibilities 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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical software development engineer tasks: "create ssi files for network configurations on unix boxes provided detail development instruction to c++ developers on java technology"

Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for software development engineer responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of software development engineers all the time, as "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." An excerpt from a real software development engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a software development engineer does: "generated a map of interpersonal relationships from an xml file. "

Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a software development engineer does. Software development engineer responsibilities require 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." This resume example highlights how software development engineer duties rely on this skill: "use java development and testing mindset to drive testing of software solutions in the financial and commodities industry. "

All software development engineer skills

The three companies that hire the most software development engineers are:

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Compare different software development engineers

Software development engineer vs. Test engineer

Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.

If we compare the average software development engineer annual salary with that of a test engineer, we find that test engineers typically earn a $29,315 lower salary than software development engineers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both software development engineer and test engineer positions are skilled in java, python, and object oriented programming.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, software development engineer responsibilities require skills like "software development," "aws," "web services," and "api." Meanwhile a typical test engineer has skills in areas such as "c #," "test procedures," "test equipment," and "troubleshoot." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Test engineers really shine in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $88,414. Comparatively, software development engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $127,910.The education levels that test engineers earn slightly differ from software development engineers. In particular, test engineers are 8.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a software development engineer. Additionally, they're 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software development engineer vs. Design, development

Design development engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for developing a detailed design and engineering document for a construction project. These engineers are required to review engineering drawings from vendors and recommend changes when necessary, as well as the bill of materials. They must assist drafters and engineering designers in developing engineering design and construction by using computer-assisted design equipment and software. Design development engineers should also participate in activities related to quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC).

A career as a design, development brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a software development engineer. In fact, designs, development salary is $15,921 lower than the salary of software development engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Software development engineers and designs, development both require similar skills like "java," "web services," and "object oriented programming" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that software development engineer responsibilities requires skills like "software development," "aws," "python," and "amazon web services." But a design, development might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "javascript," "design development," "c #," and "cad."

Designs, development may earn a lower salary than software development engineers, but designs, development earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $99,965. On the other hand, software development engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $127,910.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Designs, development tend to reach lower levels of education than software development engineers. In fact, they're 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software development 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 development engineer vs. Research and development internship

When it comes to Research and Development Internship, the duties will vary according to the organization or company. Most of the time, the responsibilities will revolve around observing the industry, taking part in the research and analysis, lend a helping hand in experiments and surveys, explore theories and attempt to create a model of out it, present findings for evaluation, and develop more innovative designs and systems. Moreover, in the Research and Development Internship, it always helps to be critical in solving complex problems.

On average scale, research and development interns bring in lower salaries than software development engineers. In fact, they earn a $70,658 lower salary per year.software development engineers and research and development interns both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "python," and "web services," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software development engineers are more likely to have skills like "software development," "aws," "amazon web services," and "c." But a research and development internship is more likely to have skills like "c #," "powerpoint," "donor database," and "r."

Research and development interns earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $41,635. Software development engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $127,910.research and development interns typically earn lower educational levels compared to software development engineers. Specifically, they're 8.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software development engineer vs. Development team member

A development team member performs various support tasks to help complete projects according to client specifications and requirements. In the information technology industry, a development team member writes codes, creates programs, implements test systems, troubleshoots issues, performs repairs and upgrades, maintains records, and presents reports to managers. In some establishments, they may also have clerical duties such as handling calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documentation, organizing files, arranging schedules, and maintaining a transparent and open communication line with staff for an efficient workflow.

Development team members typically earn lower pay than software development engineers. On average, development team members earn a $82,076 lower salary per year.While both software development engineers and development team members complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like java, python, and object oriented programming, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A software development engineer uses "software development," "aws," "web services," and "scrum." Development team members are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "wine," "javascript," and "application development. "development team members enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $43,213. For comparison, software development engineers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of development team members showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to software development engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.5%.

Types of software development 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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