Software Engineer

Software Engineer

  1. What does a Software Engineer do?
    Software Engineers are responsible for designing and developing effective software solutions to meet their clients' requirements. Most Software Engineers specialise in a certain area and could be responsible for working on anything from web applications and content management systems to databases and operating systems. Software Engineers get involved throughout the entire project life cycle. Graduates can find their first employment in technical and support roles that relate to their area of study and skills, and can include supporting the design, development and management of hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration services.
  2. Why does a Software Engineer do this?
    Software Engineers already have changed the world though improving connectivity, automating repetitive tasks and writing software that has fundamentally changed the music industry. You can find Software Engineers writing the software that controls the movement of assembly-line robots, creating the artificial intelligence that controls characters in video games, developing software for a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) so drivers don't get lost, and writing software that allows people to communicate over great distances.
  3. How does a Software Engineer do their job?
    Graduates with technical skills, related experience and good software skills can be employed across various industries. Depending on the environment they want to work in, graduates should aim to develop relevant technical skills such as:
    • Data base management system software ( Microsoft SQL Server; MySQL software)
    • Development environment software (C; Microsoft Visual Basic)
    • Object or component oriented development software (C++; Document Object Model DOM Scripting; Python)
    • Operating system software — Microsoft Windows; UNIX; VxWorks software; Win CE
    • Program testing software — Defect tracking software; Fault testing software; IBM Rational PurifyPlus; Unit testing software
  4. Where do Software Developers do their work?
    Software Engineers are in demand in many industries, including telecommunications, manufacturing, airlines, electronic entertainment, banking and finance, e-commerce, professional services, consultancies, retail, public sector, and specialised software industries. They are needed by many large companies and by smaller development companies. This may be with major computer companies, or smaller, more specialised firms within the sector, or within the IT departments of companies whose core business is in another field.
  5. Minimum degree required
    Bachelor of Science with a major in Computing and Software Systems.
    This major opens pathways that lead to the Master of Engineering (Software), as well as masters and honours pathways to graduate research degrees, and other professionally focused graduate degrees in the sciences and technology.
  6. Average salary per year
    The average full-time salary earned by a Bachelor of Science graduate was $55 000.
  7. Job outlook
    Employment for Software and Applications Programmers to November 2017 is expected to grow moderately.
  8. Related occupations
    Designer and Developer, Applications Developer, Software Developer, Database Administrator, Systems Analyst, Business Systems Consultant, Web Developer, Network Systems Engineer, IT Consultant, IT Sales Professional and Project Manager.
  9. Some companies that employ Software Developers
    The industry is characterised by a large number of small businesses employing a fraction of the industry's workers, and a small number of much larger organisations employing a larger percentage of the ICT workforce. Sectors include:
    • Networking and network security, services and support
    • Testing, database design and development
    • Systems analysis and development
    • Systems administration and management
    • Web and multimedia technologies
    • Programming, interactive & digital games
    • Digital media technologies
    • National Broadband Network and cloud computing
    Software Developers are needed by many large companies such as Telstra, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Google, NEC and BHP Billiton, by banks, airlines, CSIRO, the Department of Defence and other government bodies, and small development companies.
  10. Additional links