Types Of Software Engineers: What They Do & How To Become One

Right now is the best time to become a software engineer.

Software engineers develop digital tools that make life easier, powering everything from smartphone apps to essential computer software. As industries and businesses lean more on technology, the demand for software engineers continues to surge.

While the core skills for a successful software engineer remain the same—programming languages, attention to detail, and problem-solving—the crucial decision lies in determining the specific type of software engineer you want to become.

What Is Software Engineering and What Does a Software Engineer Do?

Software engineering is a computer science field focused on the designing, building, testing, and maintenance of software solutions. Software engineers use their knowledge of programming languages, architecture, and platforms to develop (and maintain) these systems from scratch, from food delivery apps to network security platforms.

Here’s a quick rundown of what a software engineer does:

• Creating and managing software: Design and maintain digital tools, ensuring they work smoothly. (P.S.: Be sure to check our productivity-boosting templates for the planning stage.)
• Testing software thoroughly: Check software thoroughly to ensure it's safe and functional.
• Optimizing for speed and capacity: Make software faster and capable of handling lots of users.
• Writing and testing new code: Write the instructions that make software run, then test them.
• Collaborating with teams: Work closely with other experts to make software better.
• Presenting new features: Showcase new features to users and clients.

Types of Software Engineers: 7 Different Software Concentrations For Engineers

Different types of software engineers work together to build, secure, and maintain the software and systems that power our tech world. Every role plays a crucial part in ensuring software functions smoothly and meets user expectations.

Here are the main types of software engineering roles:

1. Front-end engineer

The artists of software, front-end engineers create the parts of an app or website you see and interact with. This includes buttons, menus, and all the visual elements. They make sure everything looks great and works smoothly on different devices and web browsers, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or even an all in 1 PC, which combines the monitor and hardware into a single unit often used in offices or kiosks.

• Skills: Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Salary: Depending on experience and location, front-end engineers typically earn between $108,185 and $131,619 per year.
• Key responsibilities: Designing and implementing the visual aspects of software, ensuring compatibility across browsers, and making applications responsive.

2. Back-end engineer

Back-end engineers are the software architects responsible for building the concealed framework of software that masterminds data management and storage, fortifies security measures, and optimizes software performance. Using their deep understanding of server and network architectures, they ensure software systems can accommodate the ever-increasing demands of an expanding user base.

• Skills: Proficiency in languages like Java, Python, or Node.js, and knowledge of databases like MySQL or MongoDB.
• Salary: Depending on experience and location, back-end engineers earn between $95,164 and $121,299 per year.
• Key responsibilities: Building core functionality, integrating with data systems, and ensuring scalability and reliability.

3. Full-stack engineer

Full-stack engineers, as the name suggests, are responsible for both the front-end and back-end territories. They possess the skills to conceptualize, design, and build complete web applications, overseeing the entire development process from start to finish. So, if you need to find developers for startup make sure they have a solid understanding of the latest web development technologies and trends.

• Skills: Require a broad skill set, including programming languages, front-end and back-end frameworks, and database knowledge.
• Salary: Depending on experience and location, full-stack engineers earn between $111,648 and $133,160 per year.
• Key responsibilities: Key responsibilities: Designing and implementing the visual aspects of software, ensuring compatibility across browsers, and making applications responsive.
  Professional software development companies in Dubai are known for their expertise in creating high-quality digital solutions tailored to various industries.

4. Quality assurance engineer

QA engineers ensure software quality. They develop and execute meticulous testing procedures to validate that software functions as intended, identifying and documenting any defects or issues for resolution.

• Skills: Proficiency in programming languages, testing frameworks and scripts, and automation tools like Selenium.
• Salary: Depending on experience and location, QA engineers earn between $85,052 and $122,565 per year.
• Key responsibilities: Developing automated test scripts, executing test cases, and reporting defects.

5. Security engineer

Security engineers are responsible for safeguarding software systems against cyber threats. They proactively assess system vulnerabilities and implement protective measures to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches. This approach helps ensure the security and integrity of the organization's digital assets.

• Skills: Strong knowledge of security concepts, security tools, and programming languages like Python or Ruby.
• Salary: Depending on experience and location, security engineers earn between $80,335 and $112,840 per year.
• Key responsibilities: Identifying security risks, conducting penetration testing, and implementing security measures.

6. Data engineer

Data engineers take care of creating and maintaining data pipelines, databases, and storage systems. Their job involves effective data orchestration, which means arranging data so that it's collected, processed, and easy for other teams to use for analysis. This helps the whole team make smart, data-driven decisions.

• Skills: Expertise in programming languages (Python, Java, Scala), big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark), and databases (e.g., SQL, NoSQL).
• Salary: Depending on experience and location, data engineers earn between $99,926 and $132,821 per year.
• Key responsibilities: Building and maintaining data pipelines, optimizing data storage, and ensuring data availability.

7. Cloud architect

Cloud architects focus on designing, managing, and optimizing cloud-based systems. This includes selecting the appropriate cloud services, implementing security measures, and fine-tuning the infrastructure to control costs. Their role is similar to architects overseeing the construction of a building, ensuring a strong and efficient digital foundation for the organization.

• Skills: Expertise in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), infrastructure design, and cloud-native technologies and compliance.
• Salary: Depending on experience and location, cloud architects earn between $126,845 and $156,916 per year.
• Key responsibilities: Designing scalable cloud architectures, ensuring security and compliance, and managing cloud resources.

Note: All salary listings are taken from Salary.com.

What’s The Most Lucrative Software Engineering Job?

Currently, the most lucrative software engineering job is that of a big data engineer. These professionals handle tasks like developing, maintaining, testing, analyzing, and evaluating a company's big data, which are very large data sets. According to Salary.com, the average salary for a big data engineer in the United States is around $129,238, with salaries typically ranging between $114,692 and $145,034.

How To Become A Software Engineer

Feel like software engineering is exactly what you want to do? Here's a quick step-by-step guide to pursuing a career in this thriving field:

1. Pursue a software engineering degree

The first step is to acquire a solid educational foundation. While a four-year degree is preferred, a two-year associate's degree in software engineering or a related IT field can also suffice. Make sure your educational background aligns with software engineering or IT, as unrelated majors may not be as beneficial.

2. Learn programming languages

Programming is the language of software engineering, so the next step is choosing a programming language that aligns with your career goals. Whether it's Ruby, Java, Python, C++, C#, or Javascript, focus on mastering one language initially. Dive deep into its syntax, practice coding, and explore libraries, rules, and real-world projects specific to that language.

3. Study data structures and algorithms

Understand the core concepts of algorithms (step-by-step problem-solving) and data structures (data organization). You should also know how to discern which algorithms and data structures are best suited for particular problems, considering factors like time and memory efficiency. You can also use resources like GeeksforGeeks to practice and enhance these fundamental skills.

4. Enhance your skills

Learning doesn't end with formal education. Stay updated on software developments and emerging technologies to improve at solving problems and writing code.

Another good tip is to check out platforms like StackOverflow, chat on forums, and attend meetups to get involved with the programming community. Also, watch YouTube tutorials, read techie blogs, and practice your coding skills on websites.

5. Design and build software or projects

Next, apply your academic knowledge to real-world scenarios. Create personal or professional projects that showcase your skills. Consider contributing to open-source projects and share your work online to provide potential employers with tangible evidence of your capabilities.

6. Land some internships

Internships offer hands-on experience and valuable industry connections, and can often lead to part-time or full-time job opportunities. Some bachelor's degree programs may require internships, while others may expect you to seek them independently.

7. Attend conferences and workshops

Consider attending conferences related to your specific software development field to stay updated on industry innovations. Workshops provide practical insights into industry best practices and workflows. These events also offer networking opportunities, allowing you to learn from fellow software engineers and expand your professional connections.

Summing Up

Software engineering is undoubtedly an exciting and lucrative career option, but with the highly volatile digital transformation technology and software landscape, enhancing your skills and knowledge needs to be your primary focus.

That's where HackMD comes in as a valuable resource. It serves as your all-in-one engineering hub, offering comprehensive tutorials, the latest updates, and an insightful blog, making it an invaluable tool for engineers working remotely and asynchronously.

Author Bio:

Rana Bano is a one-part B2B content writer and one-part content strategist. She uses these parts to help SaaS brands tell their story, aiming to encourage user engagement and drive traffic.