Across the Pacific Northwest tech scene and far beyond, jobs for software developers are everywhere.
Software developers don’t just write code — they deliver solutions to real-world problems. And because tech innovation never stops, it’s an exciting time to grow your career in the software world, says Sanjeev Qazi, a senior software development engineer for Microsoft.
“You’re not bound by physical dimensions,” he says. “The possibilities are endless.”
With the right set of skills, software developers can land a job in any industry. Read on to learn more about how to become a software developer.
Inside the Software Developer Role – What You Need to Know
WHAT DO SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS DO?
Software developers use common object-oriented programming languages, such as Python or C#, to design and build software programs.
Sanjeev, who's also an instructor for the Software Algorithms & Data Structures course offered through UW Professional & Continuing Education (UWPCE), says all software developers share an end goal: to build error-free software that helps users quickly solve problems.
“As part of delivering the software solution, software developers must think about designing, interfacing, coding, testing, and making sure the software works,” Sanjeev says.
Software developers (sometimes also known as software engineers) may specialize in areas within the field. For example, web developers or front-end developers create online or visually appealing software, while back-end developers write the code that runs software behind the scenes.
Junior software developers may add new features to existing software, or use logs and tools to find and fix bugs. Principal or senior engineers, especially those with experience in a particular field or industry, usually contribute to software architecture or design and work with teams to build larger sub-systems, Sanjeev explains.
Software developers must have the skills to build a software product from scratch, he says. And, they must also know how to write robust and efficient code, so the software works reliably.
“Somebody who doesn’t have that understanding may make a mistake,” Sanjeev says.
ARE SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS IN DEMAND?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% growth in the number of jobs for software developers nationally through 2034. In Washington state — where software developers earn $166,910 on average — jobs could grow as much as 30% through 2032.
There are thousands of job openings for software developers and engineers at Seattle-area companies, including Adobe, Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce and more.
Fast-growing industries, such as health care and fintech, need software developers. So do big data companies, where data scientists rely on software engineers to help tame large amounts of data, Sanjeev says.
Plus, traditional industries, such as logistics, agriculture and manufacturing, are adopting smart technologies that interconnect, thanks to embedded and real-time systems that enable networking via the Internet of Things (IoT). Sanjeev says these industries also need software engineers to build and enable IoT elements, such as smart sensors and AI/ML powered robotic devices.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER?
To become a software developer, you first need to know the basic structure of an object-oriented programming language, such as Python. UWPCE offers a wide variety of courses that can help you ramp up your programming skills.
The Software Algorithms & Data Structures course helps students further enhance their skill set and prepare for computer science or software development roles. Students learn the basics of algorithms and practice using tools to program solutions to real-life software problems. Students in this course also work closely with instructors and peers to prep for common questions that come up in technical interviews.
In the Software Design Patterns & System Design course, students learn ways to apply software design principles and patterns to build software application components. As students gain experience with the latest specialized design paradigms, they’ll learn how to define system architecture and concepts and when to choose between relational and non-relational databases.
People with a background in math have an advantage in the field, but it’s not necessary to have a math or computer science degree to become a software developer. Sanjeev says anyone can learn programming languages and concepts.
“Whether you’re an English major, journalism major or a music major, it doesn't matter,” Sanjeev says. “You can figure it out.”
EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMS
Interested in software development and design? Check out these courses, certificates and degree programs:
Interested in programming languages? Check out these Programming & Software Development courses, specializations and certificates: