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IT and Engineering > Software Engineer

Salary National Average

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106290.0000 119840.0000 138050.0000

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Short Description:

A software engineer researches, designs, develops, and tests operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. They set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. They may also design embedded systems software. Software engineers apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Design or develop software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcome and consequences of design.
  • Modify existing software to correct errors, to adapt it to new hardware, or to upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
  • Develop and direct software system testing and validation procedures, programming, and documentation.
  • Consult with customers or other departments on project status, proposals, or technical issues, such as software system design or maintenance.
  • Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine the feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
  • Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
  • Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers, and others to design systems and obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements, and interfaces.
  • Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
  • Confer with data processing or project managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for data processing projects.
  • Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians, and other engineering and scientific personnel.
  • Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Programming: Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  • Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance relative to the system's goals.
  • Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Job Zones

  • Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Related Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, or vocational training.
  • Job Zone Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: 2-4 years of preparation (7.0 to < 8.0)

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