Become A Software Engineer
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Software Engineer
- Interacting With Computers
- Thinking Creatively
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
Mostly Sitting
$72,000
Average Salary
What Does A Software Engineer Do
How To Become A Software Engineer
Software developers usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and strong computer programming skills.
EducationSoftware 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 ExperienceMany 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.
AdvancementSoftware 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 QualitiesAnalytical 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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Software Engineer jobs
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Software Engineer Career Paths
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Principal Software Engineer 5.0 years
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Senior Systems Software Engineer 4.2 years
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Software Systems Engineer 4.2 years
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Software Design Engineer 4.1 years
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Software Engineer/Technical Lead 3.9 years
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Senior Software Engineer 3.9 years
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Advanced Software Engineer 3.8 years
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Senior Software Engineer/Architect 3.7 years
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Software Engineer-Team Lead 3.6 years
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Senior Software Engineer Lead 3.4 years
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Software Engineer Lead 3.4 years
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Lead Software Developer 3.3 years
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Software Development Engineer 3.3 years
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Software Architect 3.2 years
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Software Engineer 3.0 years
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Software Engineer-Consultant 2.8 years
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Software Consultant 2.8 years
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Software Developer 2.7 years
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Contract Software Developer 2.7 years
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Contract Software Engineer 2.6 years
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Software Analyst 2.6 years
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Software Programmer 2.3 years
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Associate Software Engineer 1.7 years
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Assistant Software Engineer 1.6 years
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Junior Software Engineer 1.6 years
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Junior Software Developer 1.3 years
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Software Engineering Internship 0.5 years
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Senior Software Engineer 15.5%
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Software Developer 11.4%
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Programmer Analyst 9.9%
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Programmer 6.9%
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Internship 5.7%
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Consultant 5.0%
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Web Developer 5.0%
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Research Assistant 5.0%
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Systems Engineer 4.5%
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Developer 3.8%
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Systems Analyst 3.4%
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Engineer 2.7%
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Teaching Assistant 2.5%
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Java Developer 2.0%
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Senior Software Engineer 36.5%
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Software Developer 6.4%
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Consultant 6.1%
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Lead Technician 5.5%
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Programmer Analyst 4.5%
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Project Manager 4.1%
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Team Leader 3.6%
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Senior Consultant 3.3%
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Systems Engineer 3.2%
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Project Leader 3.0%
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Developer 2.9%
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Web Developer 2.5%
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Systems Analyst 2.5%
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Business Analyst 2.2%
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Java Developer 2.1%
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Research Assistant 2.0%
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Software Consultant 2.0%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Software Engineer
Top Careers After Software Engineer
Software Engineer Demographics
Gender
-
Male
71.2% -
Female
22.7% -
Unknown
6.1%
Ethnicity
-
White
54.8% -
Asian
33.0% -
Hispanic or Latino
6.9% -
Unknown
4.2% -
Black or African American
1.1%
Languages Spoken
-
Spanish
24.1% -
Chinese
10.7% -
French
10.4% -
German
7.7% -
Mandarin
7.2% -
Japanese
6.2% -
Hindi
5.3% -
Russian
5.3% -
Carrier
4.3% -
Arabic
3.0% -
Italian
2.9% -
Korean
2.8% -
Portuguese
2.8% -
Cantonese
1.7% -
Tamil
1.1% -
Hebrew
1.1% -
Urdu
0.9% -
Gujarati
0.9% -
Swedish
0.9% -
Ukrainian
0.9%
Software Engineer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Software Engineer Education
-
University of Texas at Dallas
8.3% -
San Jose State University
6.8% -
Northeastern University
6.8% -
Rochester Institute of Technology
6.1% -
More Tech Institute
5.4% -
University of Southern California
5.3% -
University of Phoenix
5.1% -
University of Texas at Austin
5.1% -
Illinois Institute of Technology
4.7% -
Arizona State University
4.7% -
George Mason University
4.7% -
Carnegie Mellon University
4.6% -
Texas A&M University
4.4% -
University of Florida
4.2% -
University of Texas at Arlington
4.2% -
University of Houston
4.0% -
Johns Hopkins University
4.0% -
State University of New York Buffalo
4.0% -
Syracuse University
3.8% -
George Washington University
3.7% -
Computer Science 40.1%
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Computer Engineering 12.7%
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Electrical Engineering 10.7%
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Business 5.6%
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Engineering 2.7%
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Information Systems 2.4%
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Mathematics 2.1%
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Finance 1.4%
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Management 1.2%
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Physics 1.2%
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Computer Networking 1.1%
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Project Management 1.0%
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Marketing 0.7%
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Information Sciences 0.7%
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Bachelors
42.4% -
Masters
42.0% -
Other
7.6% -
Doctorate
3.4% -
Associate
2.0% -
Certificate
1.7% -
Diploma
0.8% -
License
0.0%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Software Engineer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Software Engineer Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | Anira Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 01, 2015 | $165,000 |
| Manager, Software Engineering With Scientific Computing | Howard Hughes Medical Institute | Ashburn, VA | May 05, 2017 | $140,000 |
| Software Engineer | Infovision, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 22, 2018 | $136,000 |
| Software Engineer | Infovision, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Dec 10, 2017 | $136,000 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Apr 30, 2018 | $135,491 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 09, 2018 | $135,491 |
| Software Engineer (Oracle DBA) | Istream Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 04, 2017 | $130,333 |
| Software Engineer (Oracle DBA) | Istream Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Feb 02, 2018 | $130,333 |
| Software Engineer | Intellipoint Consulting, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 14, 2016 | $130,000 - $140,000 |
| Software Engineer | Codeobjects, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 04, 2016 | $125,000 |
| Software Engineer | V3 Tech Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 18, 2015 | $122,886 |
| Software Engineer | Pioneer Corporate Services Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jan 08, 2018 | $120,000 |
| Software Engineer (.NET) | Istream Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 08, 2018 | $113,755 - $120,000 |
| Software Engineer | Collabera Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 05, 2018 | $110,611 |
| Software Engineer | Smart Works, LLC | Ashburn, VA | May 13, 2017 | $108,805 |
| Software Engineer | Vivsoft Technologies LLC | Ashburn, VA | Oct 20, 2016 | $108,139 |
| Software Engineer (Oracle Applications) | Istream Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Aug 03, 2017 | $108,139 |
| Software Engineer | ICSA Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Feb 02, 2016 | $108,000 |
| Software Engineer | ICSA Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 19, 2015 | $108,000 |
| Software Engineer | Anira Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Aug 13, 2015 | $107,702 |
| Application Software Engineer | Nimaya, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 11, 2012 | $105,000 |
| Software Engineer | Vivsoft Technologies LLC | Ashburn, VA | Mar 04, 2013 | $105,000 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Aug 23, 2017 | $100,500 |
| Software Engineer | Asta CRS, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 27, 2012 | $100,100 |
| Software Engineer (Java/Oracle) | Asta CRS, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 12, 2012 | $100,100 |
| Software Engineer | Tekbank Consultants, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 28, 2015 | $100,000 |
| Software Engineer | E-Business International Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jan 13, 2017 | $100,000 |
| Software Engineer | E-Business International Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jan 16, 2017 | $100,000 |
| Software Engineer | Tekbank Consultants, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 27, 2016 | $100,000 |
| Software Engineer | Tekbank Consultants, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 27, 2017 | $100,000 |
| Software Engineer | Verizon Data Services LLC | Ashburn, VA | May 28, 2010 | $99,900 |
| Software Engineer | Ampcus, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jan 01, 2017 | $99,200 |
| Software Engineer | Trinus Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Aug 01, 2013 | $98,000 |
| Software Engineer | Verizon Data Services LLC | Ashburn, VA | Feb 17, 2010 | $96,300 |
| Software Engineer | Itech Us, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Dec 25, 2016 | $96,000 |
| Software Engineer | GVA Infotech Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 16, 2018 | $96,000 |
| Software Engineer | Anira Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 16, 2018 | $96,000 |
| Software Engineer II | Howard Hughes Medical Institute | Ashburn, VA | May 01, 2017 | $96,000 |
| Software Engineer II | Howard Hughes Medical Institute | Ashburn, VA | Jan 05, 2017 | $96,000 |
| Application Software Engineer | Nimaya, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 01, 2011 | $96,000 |
| Software Engineer | Istream Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Dec 12, 2017 | $95,000 |
| Software Engineer | JS Info Solutions, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Nov 27, 2017 | $95,000 |
| Software Engineer | Tekbank Consultants, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 05, 2016 | $95,000 |
| Software Engineer | Mm Info Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jul 16, 2018 | $95,000 |
| Software Engineer | Openlogix Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Oct 08, 2012 | $95,000 |
| Software Engineer | Stratedge, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jan 12, 2018 | $95,000 |
| Software Engineer 2 | EMC Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Jan 02, 2018 | $93,824 |
| Software Engineer | Alindus, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Aug 31, 2018 | $93,600 |
| Software Engineer | Infovision, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 13, 2018 | $93,000 |
| Software Engineer | International Cloud Business Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 19, 2018 | $93,000 |
| Software Engineer | Morlogic, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Apr 10, 2018 | $93,000 |
| Software Engineer | Imetris Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Apr 11, 2018 | $93,000 |
| Software Engineer, Applications | It Central Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jun 15, 2018 | $93,000 |
| Software Engineer | Adaline Infosystems Ltd | Ashburn, VA | Sep 17, 2018 | $92,500 |
| Software Engineer | International Cloud Business Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 19, 2018 | $92,500 |
| Software Engineer | Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 05, 2017 | $92,020 |
| Software Engineer | Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Nov 22, 2017 | $92,020 |
| Software Engineer | Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jul 31, 2018 | $92,020 |
| Software Engineer | Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 04, 2018 | $92,020 |
| Software Engineer | Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Aug 31, 2018 | $92,020 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 16, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Dec 13, 2017 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Bell Info Solutions, LLC | Ashburn, VA | Sep 15, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Datalysys, LLC | Ashburn, VA | Sep 17, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Bell Info Solutions LLC | Ashburn, VA | Sep 15, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Citratek Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 07, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 22, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Techamerica Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 20, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Istream Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Apr 25, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Viewsoft Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 27, 2017 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Varnar Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Dec 01, 2017 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 15, 2018 | $92,019 |
| Software Engineer | Capsquare Systems, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 16, 2017 | $90,700 |
| Software Engineer | Capsquare Systems, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 06, 2017 | $90,700 |
| Software Engineer | Viewsoft Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 27, 2017 | $90,646 |
| Software Engineer | Epmpoint, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Apr 09, 2018 | $90,646 |
| Software Engineer | Vivsoft Technologies LLC | Ashburn, VA | Aug 30, 2017 | $90,646 |
| Software Engineer | 3Av Incorporated | Ashburn, VA | Jun 01, 2015 | $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | Applet Systems LLC | Ashburn, VA | Jun 17, 2016 | $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | Ampcus, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jun 26, 2015 | $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Feb 29, 2016 | $89,741 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Jul 03, 2016 | $89,741 |
| Software Engineer | Karura Consulting Incorporated | Ashburn, VA | Jun 24, 2015 | $89,700 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 29, 2015 | $89,669 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Aug 03, 2016 | $89,669 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Apr 14, 2015 | $89,669 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Oct 30, 2015 | $89,669 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Nov 19, 2015 | $89,669 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Dec 10, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Apr 20, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 17, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jan 06, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer, II | Metanoia Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 06, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jul 27, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer | Dimension Consulting | Ashburn, VA | Aug 27, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer | Zillion Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Nov 08, 2016 | $88,878 |
| Software Engineer | Anira Solutions Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 11, 2015 | $88,254 - $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | Concert Tech Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Sep 15, 2013 | $88,000 |
| Software Engineer | Ampcus, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 08, 2012 | $85,000 |
| Software Engineer | Infotech Systems Technology Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 03, 2015 | $85,000 |
| Software Engineer II | Howard Hughes Medical Institute | Ashburn, VA | Jul 01, 2014 | $85,000 - $95,000 |
| Software Engineer (Distiller) | Brainware, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Dec 06, 2012 | $85,000 |
| Software Engineer II | Howard Hughes Medical Institute | Ashburn, VA | May 01, 2014 | $85,000 - $95,000 |
| Software Engineer (Distiller) | Brainware, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 21, 2011 | $85,000 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Aug 09, 2016 | $84,106 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 08, 2016 | $84,106 |
| Software Engineer | Amiti Consulting Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 09, 2016 | $84,106 |
| Software Engineer | Navitas Business Consulting Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 07, 2018 | $84,000 |
| Software Engineer | Itech Us, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | May 07, 2012 | $84,000 |
| Software Engineer (Informatica Developer) | Dimension Consulting | Ashburn, VA | Jan 09, 2016 | $83,782 |
| Software Engineer | Datalinx Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Feb 06, 2012 | $83,762 |
| Software Engineer | Realty Direct, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Apr 02, 2014 | $83,000 |
| Software Engineer | Technology Rivers LLC | Ashburn, VA | Apr 11, 2008 | $83,000 |
| Software Engineer, Applications | Dimension Consulting | Ashburn, VA | Oct 14, 2011 | $82,514 |
| Software Engineer | YASH & Lujan Consulting, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Jan 16, 2012 | $82,000 |
| Software Engineer II | Commscope Technologies LLC | Ashburn, VA | Sep 08, 2018 | $81,788 |
| Software Engineer | Verizon Business Network Services, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Mar 01, 2010 | $81,663 |
| Software Engineer | Amara Technologies LLC | Ashburn, VA | Jan 01, 2014 | $81,393 - $85,567 |
| Software Engineer | CSC Covansys Corporation | Ashburn, VA | Dec 21, 2009 | $80,000 - $105,000 |
| Software Engineer | Mathcraft Security Technologies, Inc. | Ashburn, VA | Sep 01, 2018 | $80,000 |
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Top Skills for A Software Engineer
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Top Software Engineer Skills
- Pl/Sql
- Web Application
- Database
- Designed and implemented PL/SQL stored procedures to process messages.
- Write programming scripts to enhance functionality and/or appearance of organizations web sites and/or related web applications as necessary.
- Designed, developed and tested a Java library to access and manage a database of mobile phone information.
- Assist with upgrading Hewlett Packard employees from Windows XP to Windows 7 at their Pontiac location.
- Project: Conversion of Router application from C/C++/RBMS/Unix/Oracle platform to COBOL/mainframe platform in EBS - Enterprise Billing System for Verizon Communications.
Software Engineer Videos
A day in a life of a Senior Software Engineer
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