What Does a Software Developer Do?
A software developer is responsible for designing, building, testing, and maintaining software applications that solve business problems or enhance digital experiences. Developers write and optimize code to bring ideas to life, working closely with product managers, designers, QA engineers, and other developers to build reliable, scalable solutions.
Their role spans the full development lifecycle, from interpreting technical requirements and writing clean code to debugging, testing, and participating in deployment. Software Developers often specialize in a specific language or framework, but they are expected to adapt and contribute to various projects as part of a broader engineering team.
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Software Developer Core Responsibilities
- Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code across the development stack
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to continuous improvement efforts
- Test and debug software to ensure functionality and performance
- Maintain and enhance existing applications by identifying areas for improvement
- Use version control tools (e.g., Git) to manage code changes in team environments
- Participate in Agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives
- Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices in software engineering
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, or Ruby)
- Familiarity with software development frameworks such as React, Angular, .NET, or Django
- Experience working with relational and/or NoSQL databases
- Understanding of software testing techniques and tools (unit, integration, and automated testing)
- Competence in using Git or similar version control systems
- Exposure to RESTful APIs, cloud environments, or CI/CD pipelines
Soft skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Attention to detail and commitment to writing high-quality code
- Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced setting
- Collaborative mindset and willingness to contribute to team success
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
Equivalent work experience may be considered in place of a degree
Certifications
- Certifications are not typically required, but may be preferred based on company needs.
- Commonly preferred certifications include AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate.
Software Developer Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in Agile or Scrum development environments
- Familiarity with DevOps practices or containerization tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
- Contributions to open-source projects or a personal GitHub portfolio
- Knowledge of security best practices and secure coding standards
- Background in mobile, embedded, or cross-platform development
National Average Salary
Software developer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Software Developer is:
$129,322
Sample Software Developer Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a software developer. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting top talent to your team.
Example 1: Front-End Software Developer
We’re seeking a Front-End Software Developer to help create fast, accessible, and visually engaging user interfaces. In this role, you’ll collaborate with designers, product managers, and backend developers to turn designs and requirements into responsive web applications. You’ll play a key role in shaping the user experience across browsers and devices.
Responsibilities
- Build and maintain reusable, testable front-end components
- Translate UI/UX designs into responsive, accessible web pages
- Collaborate with backend developers to integrate APIs and data
- Ensure cross-browser compatibility and mobile responsiveness
- Participate in code reviews, sprint planning, and team stand-ups
- Optimize performance for fast load times and minimal resource use
- Follow best practices for accessibility (WCAG), security, and testing
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficient in HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript (ES6+)
- Experience with frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js
- Familiarity with REST APIs and client-server architecture
- Understanding of version control (Git) and CI/CD workflows
- Experience with front-end testing frameworks (Jest, Cypress, or similar)
Soft skills
- Strong attention to visual and interaction detail
- Ability to work closely with designers and backend developers
- Solid communication skills for team collaboration and project updates
- Organized and proactive in problem-solving
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Web Development, or related field
Certifications
None required; certification in accessibility or front-end frameworks is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with design systems or component libraries
- Familiarity with performance testing tools like Lighthouse or WebPageTest
Example 2: Back-End Software Developer
We’re hiring a Back-End Software Developer to join our team in building scalable, secure, and high-performing server-side systems. You’ll be responsible for designing APIs, managing data flows, and ensuring that backend logic integrates smoothly with front-end applications and third-party services.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain APIs and backend services
- Manage server-side business logic and database interactions
- Collaborate with front-end developers to align data and functionality
- Optimize systems for performance, scalability, and security
- Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality
- Maintain documentation for internal and external use
- Participate in architecture discussions and code reviews
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in server-side languages like Java, Python, Node.js, or C#
- Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
- Strong understanding of RESTful APIs and microservices architecture
- Familiarity with containerization (Docker) and CI/CD practices
- Working knowledge of cloud services (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
Soft skills
- Analytical and detail-oriented problem solver
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable working in an Agile team environment
- Ability to debug and resolve production issues efficiently
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
Certifications
None required; cloud certifications are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with message queues (Kafka, RabbitMQ)
- Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation
Example 3: Full-Stack Software Developer
We’re looking for a Full-Stack Software Developer who’s comfortable working across the entire technology stack. You’ll be involved in building everything from user-facing features to backend logic and database design. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety and thrives in a collaborative, Agile environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain both client-side and server-side features
- Collaborate with product managers and designers to define technical requirements
- Build APIs and connect them to dynamic, responsive user interfaces
- Write clean, scalable code and automated tests
- Manage deployment pipelines and monitor app performance
- Troubleshoot bugs and deliver quick resolutions
- Participate in sprint planning and regular code reviews
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React or Angular)
- Strong backend skills in Node.js, Python, Java, or C#
- Familiarity with database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB
- Experience working with APIs, cloud platforms, and CI/CD pipelines
- Solid understanding of software architecture principles
Soft skills
- Excellent communication and team collaboration
- Ability to handle end-to-end ownership of features
- Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills
- Comfortable context-switching between front-end and backend tasks
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline
Certifications
Not required; AWS, Azure, or full-stack bootcamp certifications are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with GraphQL or WebSocket-based services
- Familiarity with automated testing tools across the stack
Example 4: Mobile Software Developer
We’re seeking a Mobile Software Developer to help build high-performance, user-friendly mobile applications for iOS and/or Android platforms. You’ll contribute to the design, development, and release of apps that reach users on the go, either natively or through cross-platform frameworks.
Responsibilities
- Develop mobile applications using native (Swift, Kotlin) or cross-platform tools (Flutter, React Native)
- Collaborate with product, UX, and backend teams to deliver end-to-end features
- Write clean, maintainable code with strong performance and stability
- Implement API integrations and manage local data storage
- Perform unit testing and assist in debugging and release cycles
- Stay current with mobile trends and recommend improvements
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficient in mobile development using Swift, Kotlin, or Dart/Flutter
- Familiarity with RESTful APIs and mobile UI frameworks
- Experience with version control (Git) and Agile methodologies
- Understanding of mobile architecture patterns (MVC, MVVM, Clean Architecture)
- Working knowledge of App Store and Google Play submission processes
Soft skills
- Strong attention to mobile UI/UX and performance
- Clear communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Passion for building intuitive, reliable mobile experiences
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Mobile Development, Computer Science, or a related field
Certifications
Not required; platform-specific certifications (e.g., Apple Certified iOS Developer) are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with push notifications, location services, or offline-first architectures
- Familiarity with crash reporting tools (e.g., Firebase, Sentry)