Computer Software Engineer

Job Opportunities

Computer software engineer jobs are expected to be among the fastest growing jobs, increasing by 27 percent or more through 2014, according to the, according to the U.S. Department of Labor:

• the huge impact of computers and information technology on our everyday lives has generated a big demand for computer software engineer jobs.
• rapid employment growth continues in the computer systems design industry, which employs the greatest number of computer software engineer jobs.
• college graduates with at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science will have very good job opportunities.
• employers will continue to seek computer professionals with strong programming, systems analysis, interpersonal, and business skills.

Basic job responsibilities

The basic job responsibilities of a computer software engineer include:

• designing and developing new computer software systems.
• incorporating new technologies into a rapidly growing range of applications.

Job responsibilities based on experience:

• Entry-level computer software engineer tests and verifies ongoing designs.
• A more experienced computer software engineer designs and develops software.
• A senior computer software engineer advances to become a project manager, manager of information systems, or chief information officer.
• A very experienced computer software engineer finds lucrative opportunities working as a systems designer.

Work Environment

Computer software engineer:

• usually works in offices or labs.
• typically works about 40 hours a week.
• can work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines or solve specific problems.
• may telecommute and work from remote locations through modems, laptops, electronic mail, and the internet.
• is susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems.
• may spend a majority of time traveling to meet with customers.

Computer Software Engineer—

• uses knowledge of computer science, engineering and mathematical analysis to design, develop, test and evaluate software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications.
• job responsibilities may evolve quickly, reflecting changes in technology.
• may work in applications or systems development to analyze users' needs to design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems.
• can be involved in the design and development of many types of software, including software for operating systems and network distribution, and compilers, which convert programs for execution on a computer.
• in programming, or coding, they instruct a computer, line by line, how to perform a function.
• must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code.

A Computer Software Engineer can be grouped into these categories:

Computer applications software engineer:

• analyzes users' needs and design, construct, and maintain general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.
• uses different programming languages, depending on the purpose of the program. The programming languages most often used are C, C++, and Java.
• may develop both packaged systems and systems software or create customized applications.

Computer systems software engineer:

• coordinates the construction and maintenance of a company's computer systems and plan their future growth.
• works with the company to coordinate each department's computer needs—ordering, inventory, billing, and payroll recordkeeping, for example—and make suggestions about its technical direction.
• sets up the company's intranets—networks that link computers within the organization and ease communication among the various departments.
• works for companies that configure, implement, and install complete computer systems.
• can be a member of the marketing or sales staff, serving as the primary technical resource for sales workers and customers.
• may be involved in product sales and in providing their customers with continuing technical support.
• may help to explain the requirements necessary for installing and operating the new system in the purchaser's computing environment.
• may be responsible for ensuring security across the systems they are configuring.
• often works as part of a team that designs new hardware, software, and systems made up of engineering, marketing, manufacturing and design people, who work together until the product is released.

Requirements

computer software engineer:

• Bachelor's degrees are commonly required.
• Needs a broad knowledge of, and experience with, a variety of computer systems and technologies.
• the most common degree for an applications software engineer is a bachelor's in computer science or software engineering.
• the most common degree for a systems software engineer is a bachelor's in computer science or computer information systems.
• must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• should be able to communicate effectively with team members, other staff, and the customers they meet.
• deals with a number of tasks simultaneously, so they must be able to concentrate and pay close attention to detail.
• must keep skills up-to-date with changing technology, often by learning through information technology based certificate programs.