What Does a Software Engineer Do?
A software engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software systems that solve real-world problems and power digital products. These professionals work across the software development lifecycle, transforming business requirements into reliable, scalable code. Whether contributing to internal tools or customer-facing applications, software engineers help ensure that technology solutions are functional, efficient, and secure.
Software engineers collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to deliver high-quality software using modern development practices. They may focus on front-end interfaces, back-end systems, databases, or full-stack architecture, depending on the organization’s and project’s specific needs.
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Software Engineer Core Responsibilities
- Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code using programming languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, or Go
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features
- Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize existing software for performance and reliability
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to software architecture decisions
- Design and implement unit and integration tests
- Maintain technical documentation for codebases and APIs
- Stay current with industry trends, tools, and best practices
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in at least one object-oriented or functional programming language
- Knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns
- Familiarity with version control systems such as Git
- Experience with databases (SQL and/or NoSQL)
- Understanding of RESTful APIs and software integration
- Exposure to agile or Scrum methodologies
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
- Clear communication in technical and team discussions
- Adaptability in fast-paced development environments
- Attention to detail and a strong sense of code quality
- Collaborative approach to team-based development
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
Certifications
- None required
- Recommended: Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), AWS Certified Developer – Associate
Software Engineer Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines
- Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Background in testing automation and code coverage tools
- Knowledge of containerization tools such as Docker or Kubernetes
National Average Salary
Software engineer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Software Engineer is:
$133,764
Software Engineer Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a software engineer. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.
Example 1: Front-End Software Engineer
We’re hiring a front-end software engineer to design and develop dynamic, responsive user interfaces for web and mobile applications. You’ll transform design mockups into accessible, scalable front-end code using modern JavaScript frameworks and development tools.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain user-facing features using React, Vue, or Angular
- Translate UI/UX designs into responsive HTML/CSS and functional JavaScript
- Optimize front-end performance and page load times
- Ensure code quality through testing, documentation, and peer reviews
- Implement accessibility best practices and cross-browser compatibility
- Collaborate with designers, back-end engineers, and product managers
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript (ES6+)
- Experience with front-end frameworks (React, Vue, or Angular)
- Familiarity with state management libraries (Redux, Vuex, etc.)
- Responsive design principles and CSS methodologies (BEM, Flexbox, Grid)
- Basic knowledge of RESTful APIs and front-end build tools (Webpack, Vite)
Soft skills
- Attention to visual and interactive detail
- Communication across design and engineering teams
- User-centric problem-solving mindset
- Ability to deliver in agile, iterative sprints
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Web Development, or related field
Certifications
- None required
- Recommended: Google Mobile Web Specialist or Front-End Web Developer Nanodegree
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with accessibility testing tools
- Familiarity with design systems or component libraries
Example 2: Back-End Software Engineer
We’re seeking a back-end system engineer that power our applications. You’ll focus on building scalable APIs, integrating databases, and ensuring application performance and security.
Responsibilities
- Develop RESTful or GraphQL APIs using Java, Python, Node.js, or Go
- Design and maintain relational and NoSQL databases
- Implement authentication, authorization, and secure data handling
- Optimize back-end processes for scalability and performance
- Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality
- Collaborate with front-end engineers and DevOps teams
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in one or more back-end languages (Java, Python, Node.js, Go)
- Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, etc.)
- Understanding of API design, caching, and message queues
- Familiarity with server-side frameworks (Express, Spring Boot, Django, etc.)
- Knowledge of CI/CD and containerization tools
Soft skills
- Problem-solving with a systems mindset
- Strong debugging and code optimization skills
- Collaboration across engineering functions
- Ownership of production-grade applications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
Certifications
- None required
- Recommended: AWS Certified Developer – Associate
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with microservices architecture
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Example 3: Full Stack Software Engineer
We’re hiring a full stack software engineer to build and maintain features across the entire application stack—from front-end interfaces to back-end services and databases. You’ll work in agile teams to deliver robust, end-to-end solutions.
Responsibilities
- Develop user interfaces using JavaScript frameworks like React or Vue
- Build and integrate RESTful APIs and server-side logic
- Design database schemas and manage data transactions
- Write reusable, testable code for both front-end and back-end layers
- Collaborate across disciplines including UX, DevOps, and QA
- Participate in sprint planning, code reviews, and technical discussions
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in both front-end (JavaScript, HTML/CSS) and back-end (Node.js, Python, Java) technologies
- Experience with relational and NoSQL databases
- Understanding of RESTful APIs and full-stack design patterns
- Familiarity with Git, CI/CD workflows, and agile development practices
- Comfort working across front-end frameworks and back-end services
Soft skills
- Versatility and adaptability in technology stacks
- Strong collaboration across cross-functional teams
- Clear communication of complex technical solutions
- Self-sufficiency with a product-first mindset
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering
Certifications
- None required
- Recommended: Full Stack Web Developer Nanodegree (Udacity)
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with cloud platforms and containerization
- Familiarity with GraphQL and real-time application frameworks
Example 4: Mobile Software Engineer
We’re seeking a mobile software engineer to develop intuitive and performant mobile apps for iOS, Android, or cross-platform environments. You’ll contribute to the full lifecycle of mobile applications, from architecture to deployment and maintenance.
Responsibilities
- Build mobile apps using Swift, Kotlin, Flutter, or React Native
- Collaborate with designers to implement responsive, native UI/UX
- Integrate apps with APIs, databases, and third-party services
- Optimize apps for performance, battery life, and responsiveness
- Monitor and resolve production issues and crash logs
- Stay current with mobile SDKs, OS updates, and device compatibility
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with native or cross-platform mobile development
- Proficiency in Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android), or Flutter/React Native
- Understanding of mobile architecture, navigation, and lifecycle management
- Familiarity with RESTful APIs, local storage, and push notifications
- App deployment to App Store and/or Google Play
Soft skills
- Detail-oriented mobile design implementation
- Commitment to responsive, intuitive user experiences
- Collaborative mindset across mobile, design, and product teams
- Initiative to explore emerging mobile frameworks
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Mobile Computing, Computer Science, or related field
Certifications
- None required
- Recommended: Apple App Development with Swift Certification or Android ATC
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with CI/CD for mobile apps
- Background in building offline-first or location-based apps