Launch your career as a software engineer
Software engineering is a growing field with engaging opportunities for advancement. Gain the necessary skills to break into software engineering on edX.
What does a software engineer do?
Software engineers design, troubleshoot, and maintain computer programs. They often work in industries such as finance, manufacturing, computer systems design, and healthcare to create software that accomplishes organizational goals.
As a software engineer, your daily responsibilities may include:
- Writing and reviewing code.
- Collaborating with other teams.
- Testing debugging solutions.
- Upgrading features.
- Communicating progress with leadership and clients.
Many software engineers develop specializations within the industry, such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and front-end web development. For example, software engineers in manufacturing may specialize in designing low-level embedded systems that communicate directly with hardware.
| Job growth (2023–33) | +17% |
|---|---|
| Projected new jobs per year | 327,900 new jobs |
Software engineer vs. software developer
While many people use the terms interchangeably, there are some distinct differences between the two roles:
- Software engineers design computer software infrastructure and frameworks that support various functionalities.
- Software developers build features within that code framework to create new applications.
Software engineer vs. computer engineer
Software and computer engineers often collaborate in their roles:
- Software engineers generally create high-level, user-facing software and applications.
- Computer engineers develop low-level, backend software that communicates correctly with the computer hardware.
Your path to becoming a software engineer
For career starters
Get started on your software engineering career journey with online courses and degree programs on edX.
- Explore online software engineering courses on edX for foundational knowledge
- Enroll in a bachelor's degree in computer or data science on edX to build career skills
- Sign up for a professional certificate program on edX to earn a verified software engineering certificate that you can achieve on your schedule
For career starters
Get started on your software engineering career journey with online courses and degree programs on edX.
- Explore online software engineering courses on edX for foundational knowledge
- Enroll in a bachelor's degree in computer or data science on edX to build career skills
- Sign up for a professional certificate program on edX to earn a verified software engineering certificate that you can achieve on your schedule
Programs that can prepare you for a software engineering role
What you need to have to work as a software engineer
Formal degrees
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or engineering
- Some positions may require a master's degree
Industry certifications
- Fluency in at least one programming language
Interpersonal skills
- Problem solving
- Organization
- Communication
- Time management
- Attention to detail
"Being a computer scientist, it is very important to stay up to date with new technologies in that field. Often companies don't want to pay for trainings, but now with edX, I have full control of my own training program."
— Sandy Van den Bornen | Computer scientist | Antwerp, Belgium | BerkeleyX: Descriptive Statistics and BerkeleyX: Software as a Service
Industry insights for software engineers
Key takeaways
- Roles are open across industries
- High demand for strong interpersonal skills
- Specializations help candidates stand out
- AI has had little effect on hiring so far
Because technology is advancing across all industries, software engineers can expect high demand in the job market. The BLS projects that jobs for software developers will grow by 18% from 2023-33, much faster than the average 4% growth projected for all occupations.
According to Sarah Doughty, vice president of talent operations at Canadian recruitment agency TalentLab, specializations like machine learning, DevOps, and cybersecurity are in high demand.
"It's probably not enough to just be a generic software engineer these days in terms of marketability," Doughty said. "Most employers want an area of specialization."
Additionally, Doughty emphasized that while mastering the technical aspects of software engineering is still crucial, companies are also prioritizing candidates with strong soft skills.
"We're really seeing a focus on critical thinking and problem solving even at a junior level," Doughty said. "We want somebody who can adapt and grow."
Doughty also noted that while many people believe that AI will disrupt the industry, AI tools are still in their infancy and make mistakes. As a result, software engineers can't rely on these tools alone, especially early in their careers — they must master the foundations of software engineering and their specialization before they can streamline their processes using AI.
"In some cases, [candidates] have very specific knowledge areas but maybe don't understand why that's an industry standard," Doughty said. "If you're approaching the interview saying, 'I know the answers, but I'm a little unclear or lacking confidence in how I got to that answer,' that's probably going to get fleshed out pretty clearly in the interview."
Popular industries
- Computer systems design
- Manufacturing and robotics
- Finance and insurance
- Publishing and broadcasting
Similar job titles
- Computer programmer
- Web developer
- Software developer
- Computer and information systems manager
Top 5 industries for software engineers
| Industry | Annual median wage (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| Software publishers | $149,990 |
| Manufacturing | $134,910 |
| Management | $133,650 |
| Finance and insurance | $132,880 |
| Computer systems design | $129,890 |
Explore top software engineer salaries by state
Software engineer salaries can vary depending on your region, experience, and specialization. Find your state's median annual salary for software engineers:
Software engineer career track
In the early stages of your career as a software engineer, your responsibilities will often involve assisting more senior engineers as they write, test, and debug code. Entry-level software engineering roles offer opportunities for professional and specialized development as you gain real-world experience in industries like:
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Defense
- Tech
- Media
After you have around five years of experience, you'll likely qualify for mid-level roles in software engineering. Mid-level software engineers can work with less oversight from senior engineers.
Many people who reach this stage in their careers focus on building leadership skills to qualify for management positions.
"In the past, we saw really only one path in terms of where you could go in your career in tech, which was to management," Doughty said. "There's been a much heavier focus on bringing in people who are going to be able to work functionally with other people."
You may also consider earning an advanced degree, such as a master's or doctorate, to qualify for director or executive roles and explore new paths for innovation in software engineering.
Senior software engineers generally have over 10 years of experience. This role requires strong decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership skills as you'll be responsible for overseeing junior employees' work. Many senior software engineers have a specialization, such as machine learning or front-end development, as their primary focus.
Early career roles
(1-4 years)
- Junior software developer
- Associate software engineer
- Junior validation engineer
Mid-career roles
(5-10 years)
- Software engineer
- Software developer
- Senior software developer
Late career roles
(11-15 years)
- Senior software engineer
- Staff software engineer
- Senior staff software engineer
C-suite
(15+ years)
- Principal engineer
- Chief technology officer (CTO)
- Chief information officer (CIO)
Ready to advance your career?