Becoming a software engineer starts with code, but it’s powered by how you think. And with demand on the rise, those skills are more valuable than ever.
There’s no shortage of demand for software engineers, not in today’s tech-driven world. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 15% increase in software engineering jobs through 2034. That’s good news if you’re considering a career shift and planning your next move.
Many employers look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a field like information technology or computer science. But you’ll also need a balanced skill set to build the underlying systems, apps, and features that today’s tech depends on.
Key Points
- Software engineers rely on a mix of technical and soft skills. Creative problem-solving and communication are as crucial as core skills like coding and computer programming.
- The skills needed for software engineers vary by specialty. But whether you pursue a career in front-end, back-end, or mobile development, some skills are simply fundamental.
- You don’t need a degree or years of experience to get started. Real-world projects are a powerful way to build skills and show what you can do.
- Becoming a successful software engineer takes time, but it’s OK to start small. What’s important is that you build up your portfolio (and resume) and keep learning.
10 Skills Every Software Engineer Needs
Software engineers use engineering principles to design, build, ship, and improve essential systems and tools. The skills required for the role don’t stop at tech, however. To succeed (and stand out), you’ll also need soft skills to work with others, including stakeholders who aren’t technical.
Software engineer requirements vary by specialty, but the skills below show up across most roles.
1. Programming Fundamentals
Software engineering is a technical job at its core, so strong programming and coding skills are a must. Good programming languages to start with include Python, JavaScript, and Java.
Other core languages include:
Since software engineers spend much of their time building apps, software, and other systems, they also need a thorough understanding of algorithms and data structures. And since tools and frameworks change so quickly, it also helps to be able to quickly learn new stacks while on the job.
2. Problem-Solving and Computational Thinking
Software engineers often deal with complex problems. That means looking at an issue from multiple angles, breaking it down into steps, and then coming up with solutions at scale.
Strong computational thinking also helps you recognize patterns and identify edge cases (issues that only rarely occur). From there, you choose the best approach (or algorithm or tool) to keep systems running smoothly.
3. Debugging and Testing
Even the best-laid systems can have bugs. That’s why software engineers need skills in writing and testing code, debugging software, and troubleshooting applications. Throughout the software development life cycle, they’re responsible for finding the root causes of issues and making sure existing code is reliable.
For example, a software engineer might run an integration test to confirm a third-party payment gateway is running without issues. Or they might perform a unit test in an app to catch small bugs before they slow things down.
4. Version Control and Team Workflows
Version control systems, like Git, help software engineers track, update, record, review, and manage source code. These systems make it easier to:
- Propose modifications to the shared codebase (pull requests)
- Write, merge, or deploy code (branching, or creating isolated workspaces for new features)
- Automate the integration of new code across multiple engineers (continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment (CI/CD) awareness)
- Review the source code’s history and revert to an earlier state if needed
Version control is essential in collaborative projects where multiple engineers work on the same files. With strong Git skills, you can contribute clean code and avoid overwriting others’ work. And that translates to smooth, scalable workflows.
5. API and Database Basics
Another required computer software skill for engineers is working with data. That means having a grasp of application programming interfaces (APIs) and database management systems like SQL and NoSQL, along with the ability to model data in a way that supports the product.
6. System Design Mindset
Software engineers shape how products are built and how they scale. To do that well, you’ll need to write reliable code, build core systems, spot common design patterns, and solve problems with long-term use in mind.
Great system design looks past a single feature or short-term fix. It’s about creating solutions that are flexible enough to grow with the product and the people who use it.
7. Cloud and Deployment Awareness
Modern software runs in the cloud, which means most engineers need to understand how cloud platforms work and how software gets deployed at scale. If you’re building a security framework or an enterprise app with a team, you’ll likely work in environments powered by services like GitHub and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
A few basics to know:
- Cloud development environments: These give software engineers a space to code and test projects in real time. They are designed with collaborative coding, resource scalability, and use containerization to keep environments consistent from developer to developer.
- Cloud deployment environments: These focus on creating (and rolling out) reliable, efficient software. They’re built to minimize downtime during updates and give teams real-time insight into system errors and performance.
8. Security and Privacy Fundamentals
Online security and privacy are crucial in software engineering. For example, you might need to develop secure code or basic authentication systems (like HTTPS) to verify users and protect their data. Other commonly required skills include password hashing, token-based authentication, and session-based authentication.
9. Communication and Collaboration
Software engineers rarely work alone. They partner with product managers, design pros, quality assurance (QA) testers, and data engineers. That means they need a collaborative mindset to make sure everything runs smoothly and meets the end user’s requirements. They should also be able to clearly explain tradeoffs and document clearly.
Because teams aren’t always technically minded, software engineers often need to translate complex concepts and reasoning into language that makes sense to stakeholders and customers.
10. Adaptability and Continuous Learning
Whether it’s through formal courses or self-study, becoming a software engineer requires adaptability and constant learning. Staying current on the latest tools and programming languages and being open to feedback can help you stand out before and after you get the job.
Do Software Engineer Requirements Vary by Role?
Software engineers choose where to specialize. So, while the 10 skills are foundational, specific jobs may have their own skill requirements.
For example, you could become a systems engineer, solutions architect, data engineer, or infrastructure engineer. Or you could focus more on the software development side. For example, here’s how front-end, back-end, full-stack, and mobile app development roles measure up:
- Front-end development: Builds the user-facing side of apps and websites, like graphics, drop-down menus, and other visuals. This often involves working with languages like HTML or CSS or specialty frameworks like AngularJS or React.
- Back-end development: Powers the server side of web apps and sites using frameworks (like Node.js), programming languages, API security and protocols, version control software, and other tech skills.
- Mobile app development: Builds software applications for tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices.
- Full-stack development: Combines front- and back-end skills. Full-stack engineers build user interfaces and features, as well as manage server-side functions.
Curious about a different path in tech? Learn more about data engineers vs. software engineers now.
How to Build Software Engineering Skills Without Experience<
Many software engineers start with a background in computer science or information technology. But if you don’t have formal experience yet, you can still build the skills you need by:
- Learning the fundamentals: Begin with a solid foundation in programming languages (like Python and JavaScript). Study up on the building blocks of code (algorithms and data structures). Additionally, get comfortable with version control tools.
- Building projects: Real-world projects show prospective employers you’ve got the skills to succeed as a software engineer. You don’t need to start with anything complex. Even something as simple as a to-do app can look great in your portfolio.
- Getting feedback: Reviews from peers or mentors help you grow faster. Feedback also builds soft skills like communication and collaboration.
- Look for community learning opportunities: Looking for another way to build and hone your software engineering skills? Workshops, conferences, online coding challenges, or hackathons are great ways to learn from others.
- Repeating the process: Every little bit helps. Keep adding projects to your portfolio and building your experience. Look for volunteer opportunities, internships (paid or unpaid), and freelance projects. Once you’re confident in your resume, it’s time to start looking for software engineering jobs.
How to Prove Your Skills to Employers
Applying for your first software engineering job can feel daunting. But remember: It’s a fast-growing field with many opportunities.
A strong resume and solid interview prep help, but your portfolio carries even more weight. Not only will hiring managers evaluate your technical skills, but they’ll want to see examples of your work and how you think.
You can set up a project portfolio on GitHub or a similar website. Try to include impact statements, write-ups, or notes on who you collaborated with and why. That way, potential employers see your thought process and skills.
Showcasing Skills on a Resume
So, you know what skills are needed to be a software engineer, and you’ve got your portfolio. The next step is showing them off on your resume.
Here’s how to make your skills stand out:
- Tailor your resume to the role. Every job has its own requirements. Highlight the skills and experience that match the role instead of using a generic version.
- Highlight relevant experience. This means technical skills, soft skills, education, and real-world projects. It might also include volunteer and paid work experience. Whenever possible, clearly show the outcomes and the impact your work had.
- Give context for the tools and skills you list. This gives hiring managers a better idea of your experience, accomplishments, and how you might apply your skills on the job.
Thinking about pursuing a job as either a software engineer or developer? Learn the similarities and differences.
Demonstrating Skills in Interviews
Interview questions for engineers can cover a lot of ground, so it’s good to be prepared. Hiring managers generally ask about your background and experience. And they’ll likely dig into both technical questions (like how you tackle coding problems or system thinking) and behavioral questions (like your ability to communicate, solve problems, and work in a team).
Before your interview, try a mock session at home. Practicing in front of a mirror or with a friend can help you build confidence.
Research the company and the job before the interview. Also, come with a few questions of your own. Interviews are a two-way street, so don’t be afraid to ask questions that help you decide if the position (and company) fit your goals and personality.
Where These Skills Can Take Your Career
Having the skills needed to be a software engineer is half the battle. The other half is having a strong resume and a portfolio of projects (to fill in any experience gaps). Strong interview prep helps, too.
Once you’ve got the skills, keep building and using them in real-world practice. The greater your mastery, the more career flexibility you’ll have.
Whether you decide to pursue systems engineering or become a solutions architect, know that it’s OK to start small. Just be consistent and keep working your way forward until you get to where you want to be.
Explore software engineering jobs and resources at Intuit to see what opportunities are out there.
FAQs
How can software engineers effectively showcase their skills on a resume?
Organize your resume so that it highlights your most relevant technical and soft skills from the get-go. Tailoring it to the specific role helps, since each job is a little different. Try to include quantifiable achievements and real-world projects.
Do software engineers need a degree to succeed?
Not necessarily. Many employers do require a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree in a field like information tech or computer science. But you may be able to get by with informal education, especially if you have a portfolio or real-world projects.
Should software engineers specialize or can they succeed as generalists?
This depends on your goals, but it doesn’t hurt to have a well-rounded foundation of software engineering skills. Generalists may have more opportunities starting out. Specialists may earn more in certain roles (though both options can be competitive). Consider the tradeoffs. And remember, if you do start as a generalist, you can always choose a specialty later.