Software Developers

What the job really is

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

At a glance

• Sector: Computer & Mathematical
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-1252
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

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

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Alteryx software, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
• Computer Programmers
• Database Administrators
• Database Architects
• Computer Hardware Engineers
• Computer Network Architects

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Software Developers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.