Software Engineer Job Titles

When it comes to the field of software engineering, you’ll find that there is a long list of job titles. Software Engineers work in a variety of industries such as business, financial services, retail, healthcare, and government. They also focus on many different software-related roles. This article discusses the software engineering path, and some common software engineering jobs you could end up in.

What is a Software Engineer?

A Software Engineer is a computer science professional. This is a job field that combines engineering and computer programming and involves designing, building, testing, and maintaining a variety of different types of software. The types of software that Software Engineers work on include computer programs, web and mobile applications, video games, operating systems, and network control systems. Coding is an important part of this job, however, Software Engineers also need to master many other skills including testing and debugging, object-oriented programming, and working with data structures and algorithms. Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills are also required for success in this field.

The term, “software engineering” was coined in the 1960s. Since then, this profession has grown rapidly and Software Engineers are sought after in many industries. The world continues to rely more and more heavily on software. A large, and growing, number of devices that people utilize every day are controlled by the software that is created and maintained by Software Engineers. This includes cell phones, computers and network systems, and smart appliances like ovens and laundry machines. Software Engineers also play an important role in creating and running the computer systems that are integral to many parts of daily life, in fields like business, communications, and education.

Software Engineer Skills

As a Software Engineer, you’ll need to master many different technical skills. One is coding. This is one of the most important tools used in software engineering, and you'll need to gain proficiency in multiple coding languages. According to Stack Overflow’s 2023 survey of developers, the most popular programming, scripting, and markup languages used by professional developers are HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and Typescript. You’ll also need to learn how to test and debug code. Testing is the process of examining software to look for errors, and debugging involves correcting any errors that you find. This process is vital for ensuring that software will function as intended, and can be time-consuming. Another technical skill you’ll need as a Software Engineer is a strong understanding of data structures and algorithms. Data structures are how data is stored in a software program. Algorithms are sets of instructions that are used to access data structures and manipulate the data in them. These are just some of the technical skills that Software Engineers need to master. There are many more, and these skills will vary depending on what type of Software Engineering you plan to do.

In order to thrive as a Software Engineer, you’ll also need to master a number of soft skills, which can help you work more effectively and can also help your interactions with clients and colleagues run smoothly. Problem-solving is an important soft skill for Software Engineers. This is the process of identifying problems, analyzing them, and then designing solutions. It often involves curiosity, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box. As a Software Engineer, you’ll typically work as part of a team, so strong communication and collaboration skills are also important. This includes being able to explain technical concepts to people without a technical background, and the ability to compromise and accept feedback.

Software Engineer Career Path

The field of software engineering includes a wide range of different types of jobs. The types of software that Software Engineers work on include computer programs, web and mobile applications, video games, operating systems, and network control systems. Overall, there are dozens of different job titles associated with this field. Software Engineers may also have the choice between working for an employer and working as a freelancer. This job field offers a lot of job opportunities for both of these types of employment.

Until recently, most people got into software engineering by completing a college degree in computer science or something related. However, an increasing number are realizing that this is not the only way to become a Software Engineer. A bootcamp or certificate program is another viable option, and allows you to enter the field of software engineering without earning a degree. Bootcamps and certificate programs are immersive, accelerated courses that are designed to get students career-ready in far less time than a college program. They are also significantly less expensive. Bootcamps and certificate programs focus on helping students gain all of the knowledge and skills that they will need in the field of software engineering, and include lots of hands-on practice. 

Video Game Designer

Video Game Designers, sometimes called Game Developers, focus on designing and creating video games for computers, gaming systems, and other devices. Some of the different things a Video Game Designer might do include developing game concepts, creating a storyline, creating game rules, building characters and environments, and testing and debugging. In this role, you’ll need to know a number of coding languages including C, and C++. You’ll also need an understanding of game development platforms like Unity. Video Game Designers often report that they enjoy the creativity involved in this job. A potential negative is that at certain times, they can face demanding deadlines. Salary estimates for this job vary. Payscale reports that the average Video Game Developer in the United States earns about $70,000 per year. Glassdoor reports an average salary of about $87,000.

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write, test, and modify code so that different types of software and applications will work correctly. Coding is one of the most important skills in this job. Continuing education is also important. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which collects and analyzes statistics about many different jobs, explains, “To keep up with changing technology, computer programmers may take continuing education classes and attend professional development seminars to learn new programming languages or about upgrades to programming languages they already know.” According to BLS, the average salary for a Computer Programmer is just over $99,000 yearly. It warns that some computer programming jobs are disappearing due to automation.

Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, creates, debugs, and maintains software. Software Developers work in many different industries and often focus on specific types of software. U.S. News & World Report ranks Software Developer as number 1 in “Best Technology Jobs,” number 3 in “100 Best Jobs,” and number 19 in “Best-Paying Jobs.” Software Developers need coding skills, an understanding of data structures and algorithms, and an understanding of source control. They also need analytical, creative, and problem-solving skills. According to BLS, the average salary for a Software Developer is $130,000.

Computer Network Architect

Computer Network Architects design and create data communication networks. This includes local area networks, wide area networks, and intranets. Some of the tasks involved in this job might include analyzing the computing needs of an organization, finding security risks, and troubleshooting problems. According to BLS, over the next ten years, this occupation will grow at an average rate. The organization says, “Demand for computer network architects will grow as firms continue to design and build new information technology (IT) networks and upgrade existing ones. Continued expansion of cloud computing will increase demand for these workers to ensure that networks are properly designed and that transition to the new network proceeds smoothly.” BLS finds that the average salary for a Computer Network Architect is almost $130,000 per year.

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are focused on security. They help monitor and protect computer systems and networks. They may create software to prevent security breaches, such as firewalls and data encryption systems. They might also create documentation for security. Over the next decade, jobs in this field will grow by 32 percent, predicts BLS, which is much faster than the average growth rate of 3 percent. It explains, “High demand is expected for information security analysts. Cyberattacks have grown in frequency, and these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or creating problems for computer networks.” The average salary for an Information Security Analyst is $120,000 per year, as reported by BLS.

Why Become a Software Engineer?

Software engineering is an in-demand skill that is needed in many different careers, and it has a strong future outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups software engineering jobs into the category of software development, and predicts that between 2022 and 2032, software development jobs will grow by 25 percent, which is significantly faster than the average rate of only about 3 percent. It explains, “Increased demand for software developers . . . will stem from the continued expansion of software development for artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and other automation applications.” In addition, it says that an increasing need for security will drive growth in this field, as well as the continually increasing number of products that use software. 

In addition to providing a range of different job options, many people also find that software development is a fulfilling and rewarding activity. In a Harvard Business Review article titled, “Career Crush: What Is It Like to Be a Software Engineer?” Software Engineer Lindsey Redd--who has coded for Slack, Lyft, and Stripe--talks about working in this field. She says that the problem-solving involved is one of the things that makes it so rewarding. She explains, “I enjoy the process of coding and not knowing what’s really going on, but testing and working through an issue, Googling whatever I need to, and then getting to a solution. That feeling, that gratification of figuring out how to do something or solving a bug, is unmatched.”

Learn the Skills to Become a Software Engineer at Noble Desktop

If you want to learn the skills you’ll need to become a Software Engineer, you’ll find a variety of class options at Noble Desktop. This New York City-based design and coding school offers both in-person and live online courses. It also has a variety of flexible scheduling options including part-time programs and courses that run on weeknights and weekends. All Noble Desktop classes come with the option of a free retake within one year, which is a great way to refresh your skills and gain additional practice. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

• One popular Noble option is the Software Engineering Certificate. This is a comprehensive, multi-week course. You’ll learn about front end development, React Development, and Django (Python) Development. This includes learning a variety of front end tools including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also learn Flexbox and Grid for layout and adapting to different screen sizes, and Git for version control. The program also covers JavaScript, and the JavaScript library, React. As part of the course, you’ll create a working desktop application with React and deploy it using AWS. In addition, the course covers Python, including syntax, dictionaries, sorting algorithms, and custom functions. Finally, you’ll learn to use Django and Django Rest. Twelve one-on-one mentoring sessions are included, and you’ll also create a portfolio.

• Noble Desktop also offers shorter classes that only take a day or two to complete and focus on a more narrow set of skills. For instance, if you’re looking for a class where you can improve your coding skills, Noble offers a short beginner class called Web Development with HTML & CSS, where you can learn to create webpages by coding with HTML and CSS. In this class, you’ll learn to use HTML to create webpages that have text and images. You’ll also learn to use CSS for styling content, creating centered page layouts, adding background images, style navigation, and for making responsive pages that adapt to various screen sizes. If you already know the basics of HTML and CSS, you might be more interested in Noble’s Advanced HTML and CSS class. This class covers a variety of advanced topics including SVG, CSS variables, gradients, shadows, positioning, transitions, transforms, and responsive images.

Noble Desktop also offers many bootcamps. For instance, there is a React Development Bootcamp, where you’ll learn how to build web applications with React. This course begins by covering basics including how to compose components. Throughout the course, you’ll build a number of web applications. You’ll also deploy them using Amazon Web Services. Another Bootcamp option is Python Web Development with Django, which covers URL dispatchers, querying models, and automating tasks with Django.