What does a software requirements engineer do?
A software requirements engineer analyzes, documents, coordinates, and manages requirements regarding new software projects aimed at optimizing operational efficiency. He/She or she should be able to supervise programmers, technologists, technicians, and other scientific and engineering personnel. Other duties and responsibilities include determining system performance standards and modifying existing software to correct errors. The core skills that a software requirements engineer should possess include excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills and the ability to interact with computers.
Software requirements engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software requirements engineer resumes:
- Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.
- Create UML sequence diagrams and message tables for visual requirements.
- Perform requirement test, firmware, hardware diagnostics, ClearCase, and VxWorks.
- Perform configuration management and administer SourceSafe database.
- Perform configuration management and administer SourceSafe database.
Software requirements engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Software Requirements Engineers are proficient in CSS, HTML, and Html Css. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Software Requirements Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CSS, 19%
Designed and developed intranet web applications using JavaScript and CSS.
- HTML, 18%
Developed Web Forms for User Interfaces using ASP.NET and C#.NET using Server Controls, HTML Controls and User Controls.
- Html Css, 18%
Created UI using HTML CSS and JavaScript's.
- SQL, 9%
Use of SQL queries to access, upload, and manipulate the data in IMMPORT immunology portal.
- Windows, 9%
Developed Windows firmware and DLLs for BEARS printer.
- Unix, 8%
Assigned Project Management responsibilities of several UNIX system upgrades and Oracle database projects including disaster recovery documentation and security planning.
Most software requirements engineers use their skills in "css," "html," and "html css" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential software requirements engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a software requirements engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Software requirements engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "designed and implemented process standard requirements model that assured data integrity, eliminated data inconsistencies and reduced defects by 10%. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform software requirements engineer duties is communication skills. Software requirements engineers responsibilities require that "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Software requirements engineers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "attended daily scrum with developers for defect tracking, with enhanced communication came early fault detection. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for software requirements engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how software requirements engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a software requirements engineer: "developed front end feature to track inventory using angular js, html and css. ".
Detail oriented. software requirements 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 requirements engineers do with detail oriented on a typical day: "design and execute detail test cases which involve testing end to end between various applications and also the database. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for software requirements engineer responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of software requirements engineers all the time, as "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." An excerpt from a real software requirements engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a software requirements engineer does: "solved some of the critical issues that involved integration of various technologies like java, .net components and mainframe components. "
The three companies that hire the most software requirements engineers are:
Compare different software requirements engineers
Software requirements engineer vs. Junior .net developer
The role of a junior .NET developer is to develop, improve, troubleshoot, and maintain computer software applications. You are expected to plan, design, and develop new feature functionality of a software application, and identify, debug, and troubleshoot defects. Additionally, you are responsible for configuring new and existing computer systems and offer user support. Other duties include coordinating with other software developers and professionals in the development of applications, creating user interfaces and client displays, and assisting in handling projects.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, software requirements engineer responsibilities require skills like "sql," "windows," "unix," and "data analysis." Meanwhile a typical junior .net developer has skills in areas such as "sql server," "javascript," "net core," and "jquery." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, junior .net developers reach similar levels of education than software requirements engineers. Junior .net developers are 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Software requirements engineer vs. Devops engineer
DevOps engineers are practitioners of DevOps, a software development strategy that aims to bridge the gap between computer software development and information technology (IT) operations. They work closely with computer software developers and other IT staff to manage code deployments and releases. Their duties include overseeing the IT infrastructure supporting software code in different environments, choosing a suitable deployment model, and directing testing protocol needed to validate releases. Other tasks they may likely perform include preparing test data, analyzing results, and troubleshooting issues and problems.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real software requirements engineer resumes. While software requirements engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "css," "html," "data analysis," and "test procedures," devops engineers use skills like "python," "docker," "java," and "infrastructure."
Devops engineers earn similar levels of education than software requirements engineers in general. They're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software requirements engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.
Professor/Program Manager, Seminole State College of Florida
Software requirements engineer vs. Build-release engineer
Build and release engineers are computer engineering professionals who work on a variety of software development projects in which each version and release of computer software is tested for performance and reliability. These engineers must work with developers, clients, and project managers to determine the functional requirements of the software and then use various programming languages to test and deploy the software. They are required to examine changes in the source code whether to incorporate them into the release. Build and release engineers must also lead bug fixing and troubleshooting for each version of the software.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from software requirements engineer resumes include skills like "css," "html," "html css," and "windows," whereas a build-release engineer is more likely to list skills in "python," "git," "jenkins," and "java. "
Build-release engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to software requirements engineers. Specifically, they're 9.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software requirements engineer vs. Software developer internship
A software developer intern is responsible for assisting the software engineers with the design implementation and shadowing their duties to understand the processes more efficiently. Software developer interns use their classroom knowledge on practical applications, suggesting recommendations on how to make the project successful. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, attend meetings, and help with maintaining complex systems and networks. A software developer intern must have excellent communication skills, as well as having strong attention to detail and the ability to learn fast.
Types of software requirements engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
