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What does a software engineer/architect do?

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

A software engineer/architect specializes in designing and developing applications and software systems in a company, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include understanding and identifying project requirements, conducting extensive research and analysis, managing software development teams, setting objectives and guidelines, preparing and maintaining documentation, developing test structures, eliminating bugs, and creating strategies to optimize operations. Moreover, a software engineer/architect must lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while monitoring their progress and resolving issues should any arise.

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Software engineer/architect responsibilities

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

  • Manage ancillary projects written in PHP framework Yii.
  • Manage entire QA process from requirements documentation to final release testing.
  • Design and implement various reusable components combining JSP, JQuery, Ajax and HTML into a user-friendly interface.
  • Craft application architecture for all major software development initiatives resulting in reusable business objects, decrease TCO and reduce technical debt.
  • Have done lot of debugging.
  • Source are maintained in git and subversion repositories
  • Move the development environment to cloud using AWS.
  • Design and develop web service API to integrate mobile applications.
  • Provide JIRA issue tracking bridge from the Drupal website templates.
  • Work with graphic designer and html programmer to implement the website.
  • Work on a SOHO gateway product base on LINUX and open source software.
  • Design and implement JavaScript only front-end components (written using jQuery and RequireJS).
  • Perform installations, capacity planning, migrations, and cloud management for AWS applications.
  • Leverage the GameKit API's in the iPhone SDK to provide encrypt, secure iPhone-to-iPhone communication.
  • Analyze and design an outage management system base on J2EE styles and JMS for publish-subscribe communication.

Software engineer/architect skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Software Engineers/Architect are proficient in Java, Python, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

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

  • Java, 13%

    Work involved considerable custom Java application architecture and development in addition to the development of and integration with data processing systems.

  • Python, 9%

    Embedded python interpreter to execute action scripts enclosed within a process definition.

  • Software Development, 7%

    Mentored organizations to deploy object technology in project management, analysis and design, application architecture and software development process.

  • Cloud, 6%

    Consolidated requirements from over 20 customers for design of first SAP Cloud solution, SAP Business ByDesign.

  • Linux, 5%

    Developed Linux Bash/shell scripts to automatically deploy flexible distributed configurations.

  • Scrum, 3%

    Involved in all the scrum events: sprint, sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, and sprint retrospective.

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

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a software engineer/architect to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what software engineers/architect do because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software engineer/architect resume shows how software engineers/architect use analytical skills: "analyzed and designed an outage management system based on j2ee styles and jms for publish-subscribe communication. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform software engineer/architect duties is communication skills. Software engineers/architect responsibilities require that "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Software engineers/architect also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "leveraged the gamekit api's in the iphone sdk to provide encrypted, secure iphone-to-iphone communication. "

Creativity. software engineers/architect are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to software engineer/architect responsibilities, because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." A software engineer/architect resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "led the implementation of scalable import/export of supplier inventories into/from the marketplace using java and cxml. "

Detail oriented. software engineer/architect 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 engineers/architect do with detail oriented on a typical day: "created java scripts, c+ and vbscripts to communicate with object-oriented interfaces for monitoring and reported etc. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in software engineer/architect job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what software engineers/architect do. Software engineer/architect 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 engineer/architect duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "implemented best-practices j2ee solutions including business delegate, ejb session fa ade, dao, etc. "

Most common software engineer/architect skills

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Compare different software engineers/architect

Software engineer/architect vs. Software developer

A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.

If we compare the average software engineer/architect annual salary with that of a software developer, we find that software developers typically earn a $30,218 lower salary than software engineers/architect make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both software engineer/architect and software developer positions are skilled in java, python, and software development.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between software engineers/architect and software developer. For instance, software engineer/architect responsibilities require skills such as "cloud," "c #," "aws," and "profiling." Whereas a software developer is skilled in "database," "jira," "confluence," and "c # .net." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Software developers really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $96,138. Comparatively, software engineers/architect tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $118,420.On average, software developers reach lower levels of education than software engineers/architect. Software developers are 5.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Software engineer/architect vs. Lead architect

A lead architect spearheads architectural operations while maintaining an active communication line with clients. They typically meet with clients to discuss the project's needs and specifications, agree on a budget, provide advice and recommendations, and negotiate contracts. They are also in charge of developing building designs, coordinating staff, devising plans, incorporating essential systems, and providing technical and guidance as needed. Moreover, as the lead architect of the project, they must enforce policies and regulations to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.

Lead architect positions earn lower pay than software engineer/architect roles. They earn a $13,052 lower salary than software engineers/architect per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both software engineers/architect and lead architects have skills such as "java," "cloud," and "c #. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that software engineer/architect responsibilities requires skills like "python," "software development," "aws," and "git." But a lead architect might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "digital transformation," "architecture," "infrastructure," and "api testing."

On average, lead architects earn a lower salary than software engineers/architect. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, lead architects earn the most pay in the insurance industry with an average salary of $112,852. Whereas software engineers/architect have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $118,420.In general, lead architects achieve similar levels of education than software engineers/architect. They're 2.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software engineer/architects 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 engineer/architect vs. Senior software development engineer

A senior software development engineer specializes in leading the efforts in designing and developing software and information systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing existing computer systems, conducting regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting, testing new designs, and performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of operations, improving them to achieve optimal performance. Furthermore, as a senior software development engineer, it is essential to monitor and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average, senior software development engineers earn lower salaries than software engineers/architect, with a $813 difference per year.By looking over several software engineers/architect and senior software development engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "java," "python," and "software development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software engineers/architect are more likely to have skills like "cloud," "c #," "aws," and "javascript." But a senior software development engineer is more likely to have skills like "database," "test automation," "jira," and "source code management."

Senior software development engineers earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $134,736. Comparatively, software engineers/architect have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $118,420.When it comes to education, senior software development engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to software engineers/architect. In fact, they're 2.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Software engineer/architect 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.

Senior systems software engineers tend to earn a higher pay than software engineers/architect by an average of $4,536 per year.While their salaries may vary, software engineers/architect and senior systems software engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "java," "python," and "software development. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "cloud," "c #," "aws," and "javascript" are skills that commonly show up on software engineer/architect resumes. On the other hand, senior systems software engineers use skills like architecture, software design, database, and matlab on their resumes.In general, senior systems software engineers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $125,048. The highest-paying industry for a software engineer/architect is the technology industry.senior systems software engineers reach lower levels of education compared to software engineers/architect, in general. The difference is that they're 6.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of software engineer/architect

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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