What does a software support engineer do?
Working closely with a company's software development team, a software support engineer specializes in handling complex software issues and providing technical assistance to customers. Among their responsibilities include answering calls and correspondence, addressing problems and concerns, troubleshooting, providing step by step solutions, and referring clients to other services when necessary. Moreover, a software support engineer may also take part in software development procedures by creating test structures, identifying and eliminating bugs to ensure the quality and efficiency of software and applications.
Software support engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software support engineer resumes:
- Build, manage and maintain physical server hardware and perform upgrades and OS patching as needed.
- Manage multiple Salesforce projects with tight deadlines effectively.
- Manage multiple sandbox environments for Salesforce application testing.
- Manage and troubleshoot new release/patch deployments and provide support for application relate problems.
- Conduct several interviews with management and end-users which lead to finish the database application.
- Design and maintain consumer portals in ASP.NET using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Job evolve to software development primarily in database applications and other DBA activities
- Used HTML5 and JavaScript for client side validations.
- Programme and maintain application code with HTML and CoffeeScript.
- Create UNIX shell scripts for data transferring among different servers.
- Create C++ software tools to mine Mercedes-Benz binary and XML data.
- Help improve options in CRM system to accommodate ongoing business needs.
- Review PL/SQL programs and enhance the job properties for performance tuning.
- Participate in downloading new software at customer sites in short maintenance time windows
- Administer all hardware and networking associate with Unix and VMS systems in the office.
Software support engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Software Support Engineers are proficient in Java, Software Support, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Software Support Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 11%
Developed C++ and Java network programs under Windows and UNIX to validate integrated development environments.
- Software Support, 7%
Provide Technical software support for Report2Web, a web based document management enterprise application.
- Customer Service, 6%
Provide senior level technical support to internal, national and international EMC customers within customer service headquarters call center.
- Technical Support, 6%
Provide professional application and technical support/consultation to clients Provide software integration with client Active Directory, Exchange, and Virtual environments.
- C #, 5%
Win Interactive, courses in C # (Vinnitsa)
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Worked with users to troubleshoot application and general networking errors related to various protocols.
"java," "software support," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that software support engineers use at work. You can find even more software support engineer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a software support engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what software support engineers do because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software support engineer resume shows how software support engineers use analytical skills: "conducted customer support case root cause analysis to determine discrepancies for corrective action, troubleshooting and resolution. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform software support engineer duties is communication skills. Software support engineers responsibilities require that "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Software support engineers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "attained skills in customer service, communication, troubleshooting, database, code analysis, and accounting practices. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for software support engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how software support 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 support engineer: "invented tools in java, sed, and awk to make software development easier. ".
Detail oriented. For certain software support engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a software support engineer rely on this skill, as "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." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what software support engineers do: "created training documentation for clinical language understanding software product detailing a protocol to investigate software technical problems. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in software support engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what software support engineers do. Software support 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 support engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "provide outstanding customer support and problem resolution. "
The three companies that hire the most software support engineers are:
- Pegasystems22 software support engineers jobs
- Applied Materials11 software support engineers jobs
- McKesson10 software support engineers jobs
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Software support engineer vs. Support
A support employee is responsible for assisting the business operations and responding to customers' inquiries and concerns regarding its goods and services. Support logs all customers' interaction and escalates potential complaints to the appropriate department. They also help with implementing strategic procedures to improve operations and reach maximum productivity. A support employee must have excellent communication and customer service skills, ensuring clients' satisfaction with the services and maintain good feedback to boost the company's brand, attract more clients, and increase revenues.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between software support engineers and support. For instance, software support engineer responsibilities require skills such as "java," "software support," "technical support," and "c #." Whereas a support is skilled in "cash management," "hr," "inventory control," and "ladders." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Supports tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $50,563. In contrast, software support engineers make the biggest average salary, $89,022, in the technology industry.supports tend to reach lower levels of education than software support engineers. In fact, supports are 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Software support 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, software support engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "software support," "customer service," "c #," and "python." Meanwhile, a software analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "test data," "scrum," "business process," and "web services." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, software analysts earn a lower salary than software support engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, software analysts earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $86,986. Whereas software support engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $89,022.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Software analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than software support engineers. In fact, they're 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software support engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Software support engineer vs. Systems support
A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.
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 support engineer resumes include skills like "c #," "software development," "python," and "database," whereas a systems support is more likely to list skills in "desktop support," "end user support," "system support," and "pc support. "
Systems supports earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $72,760. Comparatively, software support engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $89,022.systems supports typically earn similar educational levels compared to software support engineers. Specifically, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software support engineer 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between software support engineers and software developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software support engineer might have more use for skills like "software support," "customer service," "c #," and "troubleshoot." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of software developers require skills like "git," "scrum," "object oriented programming," and "web services. "
The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for software developers, with average annual pay of $96,138. Comparatively, the highest software support engineer annual salary comes from the technology industry.In general, software developers hold higher degree levels compared to software support engineers. Software developers are 8.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of software support engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











