How to Become a Software Engineer

by Ross Heintzkill | Published on December 17, 2024

All engineers are problem-solvers, applying technical knowledge to come up with clever solutions to seemingly impossible problems. Software engineers are digital problem solvers. They design the blueprints and build the infrastructure that power our tech-driven world.

Some software engineers create apps that simplify daily tasks. Other software engineers develop back-end systems that power global networks. Software engineers don't just write code –  they craft the systems themselves.

Do you want become a software engineer? This guide will help you navigate the education, skills, and steps to follow in order to succeed as a software engineer.

What is a Software Engineer? 

Software engineering is about designing, building, and maintaining large-scale, efficient, and reliable software systems. Software engineers apply engineering principles to large-scale, interconnected systems of software. 

A software engineer bridges the gap between concepts and functionality. They usually wear many hats, depending on their specific role and industry. 

What Does a Software Engineer Do?

A software engineer's daily work is a mix of technical expertise and problem-solving. On a day-to-day basis, software engineers might review their team's progress, dive into coding a new feature or debugging an issue, participate in design discussions, write documentation, or test and refine a prototype.  

Software engineers analyze user requirements, design software architecture, write and review code, test for performance and security, and deploy updates or new systems. They debug and optimize existing software, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and align technical solutions with business objectives. 

What Education Do You Need to Become a Software Engineer?

You can become a software engineer without a college degree, but the journey is much easier if you have one. Many software engineer job descriptions include a Bachelors in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field as a requirement.

The bare minimum training pipeline for someone learning to become a software engineer would have to look like this:

• One or two commonly used programming languages like Python, Java or C++

• Algorithms, data structures, and software design principles

• Git for version control

• Development methodologies like Agile and DevOps

You can learn to become a software engineer independently through online courses, coding challenges, and books or videos.

It's possible to learn to become a software engineer on your own, but it's challenging. If you don't already, you should learn the basics of programming with free online courses or videos. 

Learning a programming language is just like learning a spoken language: it takes time to memorize the vocabulary, and you need to practice it. 

After that, you'll need a structured online course that teaches programming as a professional skill. Coding bootcamps and virtual labs will put those skills to practical use, plus they'll teach you skills related to system design and debugging.

Soft skills are also a must because a software engineer must collaborate with developers, product managers, and others to keep projects on track and successful.

Over time, work on small projects like simple to-do list apps or building a calendar app. As you progress, keep a portfolio that showcases those projects, then start looking for entry-level software development roles. The hands-on experience you get in your first job will be helpful to becoming a software engineer, even without a degree.

Software Engineer Certifications

A certification is proof that you've mastered a certain skill to a certain level. Different organizations offer certifications based on whether you have taken a course with them, passed a test from them, or somehow proven your knowledge.

Here's a list of certifications (though far from exhaustive or complete) to think about as you work to becoming a software engineer:

• Certified Entry-level Python Programmer: The PCEP is the best way to prove a foundational comfort with the Python programming language.

• Certified Associate in Python Programming: The PCAP is one step advanced from the PCEP and represents a greater level of control over the basics of Python.

• Certified Professional in Python Programming: The PCPP1 is even more advanced, meant for professional developers who need to prove mastery of advanced and more specialized aspects of computer programming.

• Security+: The Security+ proves you understand the fundamentals of cryptography, threat avoidance and good cybersecurity hygiene – essential fundamentals for a software engineer.

• AWS Certified Developer - Associate: The AWS Developer certification proves you can develop, test, deploy, and debug AWS Cloud-based applications – not necessary for every software engineer, but essential for many.

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate: The Azure Developer cert tells employers you know how to navigate the AWS platform and build end-to-end solutions in it.

• Certified Kubernetes Application Developer: Earning the CKAD proves you can design, build and deploy cloud-native applications for Kubernetes, which is a specialized but valuable skill for a software engineer.

• OpenJS Node.js Application Developer: The JSNAD proves to employers you're versatile and capable with web-based applications.

Becoming a software engineer is not a "one-size-fits-all" journey. Sometimes, you have to specialize your skills and knowledge for a job. Other times, it's broadening your expertise that makes you more attractive for a new job at a different company. Even if you don't end up taking the test itself, certification training can help expose you to programming languages, technologies and skills.

Software Engineer Career Path and Progression

The journey to becoming a software engineer can take several years and usually starts with entry-level roles. Common starting positions include Junior Developer, Software Developer, or QA Tester.

In those entry-level roles, a future software engineer writes basic code, fixes bugs, and tests software for quality and reliability. It's also where you learn the development process in action. Those jobs can also give a lot of insight into management practices, version control systems, and coding frameworks.

Software engineers can remain in mid-level and advanced software engineering roles as they take on larger projects, design more complex features, and mentor junior team members. Senior software engineers tend to lead project design, oversee teams, and handle high-level architectural decisions.

Software engineering is a flexible field, and can lead to different careers altogether. Some software engineers transition to Product Management, overseeing product development. Sometimes software engineers find themselves in DevOps, or Data Science. They also have skills that lead them to Cybersecurity.

Software engineers eventually become deep technical experts in a wide range of technologies and solutions. One of the strengths of becoming a software engineer is the flexibility the job offers for shaping your career in a way that aligns with your passions and goals.

Software Engineer vs. Software Developer

A software engineer and a software developer both create software, but their roles differ in scope and focus. Software engineers take a broader approach and apply engineering principles to designing, building and maintaining large-scale, complex software systems.

A software developer is more focused on writing and implementing code that applies to specific features or applications. There can be overlap between the two, but engineers tend to operate at a slightly higher level, dealing with system design and structure. Developers are usually focused on practical coding and implementation.

How Much Does a Software Engineer Make?

A software engineer can make between $65,000 and more than $150,000 per year, according to Glassdoor. The amount of experience you have is a huge factor in how much a software engineer makes, but so is job level, location, and the industry they're working in. If you're just getting started and can barely write in Python, don't expect $150,000/year. But if you learn the right skills and apply for the right jobs, you can probably make six digits as a software engineer.

(Source: Glassdoor, [10/13/2024])

CBT Nuggets researched how much different IT jobs make based on location and experience. Software engineers weren't part of the original research, but the findings for different engineer-level roles could help you figure out how much you might make as a software engineer. 

Take a look at how much a network engineer makes, DevOps engineer salaries, and cloud engineer salaries. Those aren't the same jobs as software engineers, but they can at least give you some insight into the market and where salaries are most competitive for advanced IT positions.

What’s next for your journey to becoming a software engineer?

If you want to become a software engineer, there are many paths that lead there. Build your programming skills, gain hands-on experience, earn certifications – these are all part of the journey. Whether you're starting out or transitioning from a different career, the time to start is now. 

Start now by exploring training programs from CBT Nuggets that will help you become a software engineer.