Best Jobs For Software Engineers

Professionals looking to further their careers will find a number of options in the field of software engineering. The best employment for software engineers are those that allow them to work in specialty areas, increase their salary, and take on leadership responsibilities.

More study on the best jobs for software engineers can help you determine what education and abilities you’ll need to attain your professional ambitions.

What are the best software engineering jobs?

The best software engineering jobs give software engineers the opportunity to advance their careers through specialist areas and leadership positions. These include roles such as team leader, project manager, and senior software engineer, as well as those that need specialized knowledge of specific programming languages and software types.

Examples of the best jobs for software engineers

1. Video game designer

• National average salary: $60,588 per year

Video game designers work for entertainment or gaming firms, helping them brainstorm, build, and test video games. They may also collaborate with team members to identify ways to improve an existing video game in the market. To become a video game designer, candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as software development, software engineering, gaming design, or computer science.

2. SQA engineer

• National average salary: $80,699 per year

An SQA engineer, also known as a software quality assurance engineer, works for software engineering or development companies to assess the quality of software programs, repairs, or upgrades that staff perform for clients. They may also assist software development teams in establishing realistic deadlines to preserve quality and improve client satisfaction. A bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer engineering, or computer science is the minimal educational qualification for those interested in becoming SQA engineers. A master’s degree in software engineering or quality assurance is required, though.

3. Cyber security engineer

• National average salary: $81,158 per year

Cyber security engineers assess computer systems, networks, and software programs to identify potential vulnerabilities for security breaches. They may also be required to complete standard code as part of their employment. To qualify for a cyber security engineering position, applicants must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in a field such as cyber security, software engineering, or computer science, followed by a few years of experience in software engineering or IT security.

4. Applications engineer

• National average salary: $87,710 per year

An applications engineer designs software applications and updates or revamps existing software applications to align with a client’s needs. They typically collaborate with software engineers and software developers to create the application components for larger software programs. Applications engineers usually earn bachelor’s degrees in either software engineering, computer programming or computer science.

5. Software project manager

• National average salary: $92,026 per year

A software project manager oversees a team of software engineers and software developers to ensure they design, test or revamp software programs in a timely manner. Software project managers also assign team roles, monitor project budgets, communicate with managers or clients and help their team troubleshoot and test programs throughout the process. To become a software project manager, candidates typically earn a bachelor’s degree in either software development or software engineering, followed by a few years of work experience in a software developer or engineering role.
6. Software test engineer

• National average salary: $97,752 per year

Software test engineers work for software companies to test software programs and determine additional ways to improve programs. They do this by creating automated scripts to run through the program, developing evaluation criteria and communicating with software developers and engineers if they do encounter errors. Software test engineers can benefit from earning a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, and previous experience as a software engineer.

7. Full stack engineer

National average salary: $108,274 per year

Full stack engineers design, code and test the front and back end components for software programs and applications. They usually receive projects directly through clients or from a manager and have to complete coding projects by a set deadline. Full stack developers also run tests and troubleshoot problems with software to ensure functionality. To work as a full stack engineer, candidates need to complete a bachelor’s degree program in an area like software engineering or web development.

8. Javascript engineer

• National average salary: $109,621 per year

A JavaScript engineer specializes in using the JavaScript coding language to design visual components for the user-side of websites. They typically collaborate with web designers and front end developers as they complete coding projects. JavaScript engineers can benefit from obtaining a bachelor’s degree in an area like software engineering or computer programming and earning programming certifications in JavaScript.

9. Software development engineer

• National average salary: $111,190 per year

A software development engineer, or software engineer, designs, codes and tests software programs and applications. They can work for corporations across industries but can also work for software companies or as self-employed individuals. To work as a software engineer, candidates should have excellent coding skills and preferably a bachelor’s degree in software engineering.

10. Mobile engineer

• National average salary: $117,200 per year

Mobile engineers specialize in designing, coding and testing applications for phones and other mobile devices. They can work for a particular phone company to develop applications for company products, or they can work for corporations and software engineering firms to develop apps for clients. Mobile engineers usually have bachelor’s degrees in software engineering and sometimes pursue master’s degrees in a relevant area like mobile application development. For those looking to create applications for a specific phone brand, they can benefit from earning company certifications.

11. Cloud engineer

• National average salary: $117,668 per year

Cloud engineers specialize in helping organizations set-up and maintain cloud storage systems for important data. They complete standard coding activities as part of their jobs and typically understand how to implement cloud storage systems using cloud providers. Cloud engineers can benefit from obtaining one or more cloud certifications and earning a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, software engineering or data science. Also, cloud engineers should acquire a few years of professional experience in software engineering roles or other cloud-related positions.

12. iOS engineer

• National average salary: $119,951 per year

An iOS engineer specializes in creating applications for Apple devices. They typically work for corporations across industries that want to create company applications for employees or customers to access on the Apple store. To become an iOS engineer, candidates need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in software development or software engineering and can also benefit from obtaining iOS certifications.

13. Android engineer

• National average salary: $120,901 per year

Android engineers specialize in designing, coding and testing applications for Android mobile devices. To work as an Android engineer, candidates need to earn a bachelor’s degree in either computer science, software engineering or software development. They can advance their qualifications by earning certifications to design Android applications.

14. Data scientist

• National average salary: $121,858 per year

Data scientists work for corporations across industries to help company leadership professionals discover ways to improve a business. Data scientists look at both company and industry data to help them focus their search. They do this by writing standard code, mining through data and collecting relevant data to determine trends or patterns. For those looking to become data scientists, they can benefit from earning a bachelor’s degree in either data science or computer science, followed by a master’s degree.

16. Backend engineer

• National average salary: $123,762 per year

A backend engineer designs the server-side components for a website or web application. They collaborate with Python developers and front end engineers to combine their work with front end features. To work as a backend engineer, individuals can either earn certifications in computer programming, web development and backend development, or earn a bachelor’s degree in either software engineering, web development or computer programming.

17. Software engineering lead

National average salary: $125,108 per year

A software engineering lead is an experienced software engineering professional who uses their advanced knowledge to guide a team of software engineers in the completion of daily tasks. They monitor deadlines, evaluate individual performance, and provide guidance to junior software engineers. Software engineering leads typically have a bachelor’s degree in software engineering combined with a few years of experience in a software engineering role.

18. Application security engineer

• National average salary: $125,589 per year

An application security engineer specializes in maintaining the security of web or software applications. They do this by conducting penetration tests, implementing cyber security measures and including secure code to strengthen the security of an application. To become an application security engineer, candidates need to earn a bachelor’s degree in either computer programming, software engineering or cyber security. They can also benefit from earning cyber security certifications.

19. Data engineer

National average salary: $131,189 per year

Data engineers create data systems to help with data analysis, storage or machine learning activities. They also help integrate data and create data processing mechanisms to make the job of a data scientist much easier. For those considering a career as a data engineer, they should earn a bachelor’s degree in an area like software development, software engineering, computer science or computer engineering.

20. Software architect

• National average salary: $135,591 per year

Software architects develop plans for software programs or applications, including what needs the programs should fulfill and the technical requirements for a project. They work closely with software engineers to convey their vision and ensure that a software engineer’s work reflects their original project objectives. To work as a software architect, individuals can benefit from earning a bachelor’s degree in an area like software development or software engineering, followed by a few years working as a software engineer or computer programmer.

21. Computer vision engineer

• National average salary: $144,734 per year

A computer vision engineer specializes in coding for machine learning activities. This involves using code to create algorithms to help computers collect, interpret and mirror the movements of digital images. Computer vision engineers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in either computer science or computer engineering.

22. Machine learning engineer

• National average salary: $150,804 per year

Machine learning engineers create and test machine learning methods that help computers filter and analyze data. They collaborate closely with data scientists to develop production-level models and automated instructions that assist computers in selecting data figures based on a data scientist’s specifications.

A master’s degree in computer science or engineering is often required to become a machine learning engineer. However, they may also have a PhD in the field. Working in entry-level software engineering or computer programming professions might also help them improve their coding skills.