The difference between software engineers and software developers is hotly contested; there’s little consensus and the terms are often used interchangeably. However, to software experts, there’s a clear distinction in responsibilities, expertise and approach to the development life cycle.
Still, the distinction is slight and often conflated by the fact that software engineers are in high demand and most tech professionals work beyond their job description to keep up with the pace of the industry. Therefore, it’s your job as a tech recruiter to ensure A) you understand who the hiring manager is looking for and B) the candidate understands what the role is.
Software Engineer vs. Software Developer
Software engineers focus on overall construction and upkeep of a software system. Meanwhile, software developers focus on implementation and specialization of one area of a software system at a time.
Here are the fundamental differences between a software engineer and software developer so you can recruit smarter.
Software Engineers vs. Software Developers
Generally speaking, software engineer and developer titles are often used interchangeably. However, to IT professionals, there is a distinct difference between role responsibilities. Software engineers focus on the overall construction of a software system, while software developers focus on the implementation and specialization in one area of a software system.
The team at Fullstack Academy put it best: “If a software engineer is the architect, a software developer is the carpenter.”
Software Engineer
Software engineers apply engineering concepts to design software that addresses the user’s specific needs and requirements. These tech professionals approach problems logically and develop systematic solutions.
Software engineers would be best suited for roles concerning:
- Data structures and algorithms
- IT service management
- Software architecture
- Software project management
Software Developer
Software developers have the ability to be more creative in their role, determining how to best build software. Rather than considering the whole system, software developers have a smaller scope of work, addressing one project or stage of the development process at a time.
Software developers would be best suited for roles concerning:
- C#/Java/Python development
- DevOps
- Front-end or back-end development
- Web and mobile application development
What Does a Software Engineer Do?
The general definition of a software engineer is a professional who applies engineering principles to the “design, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of the software that make computers or other devices containing software work.”
- Education: Formal training and/or university degree
- Focus: Software systems and stability; entire development life cycle
- Purpose: Ensure all software elements work properly and cohesively
- Key Skills: Knowledge of multiple programming languages; high-level mathematics; analytics
Software Engineer Education
The title “engineer” often refers to the individual’s formal education and training which allows them to employ the scientific method when designing software solutions. They’re well-versed in multiple programming languages and because of their training, engineers are typically compensated more than developers.
Software Engineer Job Function
Software engineers are concerned with the structure and stability of an entire system. Their primary function is to ensure that the software does what it’s intended to and that all components — applications, networks, servers, etc. — work together.
Often, engineers will outsource the development tasks to software developers and instead focus on the construction of the system as a whole. Engineers are involved in the entire development life cycle but possess the skills and knowledge to work on specific development tasks.
Software Engineer Skills
When software bugs pop up, engineers address the problem within the context of the system. They know the implications of the problem and how it will impact other elements within the framework. Their goal is to find a long-term solution that minimizes repercussions across other parts of the system.
Because they need to think about how applications interact with each other, software engineers should have knowledge of and experience with a wide array of languages and tools. They tend to work in teams, making their role more collaborative.
Software Engineer Job Descriptions
If you’re hiring for engineering roles, check out the following job description example to find the right candidates:
We are seeking a Software Engineer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will apply engineering principles to the design, development and maintenance of software systems. Your focus will be on creating robust, scalable and efficient software solutions that align with our business objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- System Architecture Design: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable and maintainable software architectures.
- Software Development: Write clean, efficient and well-documented code using best practices and design patterns.
- Performance Optimization: Analyze and improve the performance, scalability and reliability of applications.
- Code Reviews: Participate in code reviews to maintain code quality and share knowledge with team members.
- Testing and Debugging: Develop and execute unit and integration tests; troubleshoot and resolve software defects.
- Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation for software designs, APIs and system configurations.
- Continuous Improvement: Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends; propose and implement improvements to development processes and tools.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related field.
- Experience: Proven experience in software development, with a strong understanding of software engineering principles.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, C++, or Python; experience with software development frameworks and tools.
- Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to approach complex challenges methodically.
- Collaboration: Excellent communication and teamwork skills; ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
- Adaptability: Willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to changing requirements.
What Does a Software Developer Do?
With a smaller scope of work than software engineers, software developers have a more creative role. They’re responsible for executing development plans and programming software into existence.
- Education: Informal training and/or self-teaching
- Focus: Single project or stage in development life cycle
- Purpose: Program software and development plans
- Key Skills: Proficiency in single or few programming languages; innovative problem-solving; creative approach to software development
Software Developer Education
Software developers are often self-taught — more than 50 percent of developers attribute their skills to at least some self-teaching. Though formal training is typically expected to hold the title of a software engineer — and required in some countries — software developers can become engineers by gaining experience working on and managing additional aspects of the development life cycle.
Software Developer Job Function
A software developer focuses on building one part of the system at a time. Developers are more concerned with implementation and often work independently. They are more aware of the structure and intention of the software than a programmer, who is tasked with writing and correcting code.
Often, developers are specialized in front-end or back-end development or within a specific language. This narrows their scope of work, but allows them to be more creative in how they build software and address problems.
Software Developer Skills
Software developer roles are often designated as junior, mid-level, senior or lead. Junior developers are most similar to programmers, working with fundamental web technologies like HTML and CSS.
At the other end of the spectrum, lead software developers resemble software engineers, overseeing the entire process, focusing on development strategy and working in multiple heavier languages.
Software Developer Job Descriptions
If you’re hiring for developer roles, the following job descriptions can be a good starting point to find the right candidates:
We are looking for a Software Developer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, coding, testing and deploying software applications. Your work will directly impact the functionality and user experience of our products.
Key Responsibilities:
- Application Development: Design and develop software applications based on user requirements and specifications.
- Coding: Write clean, maintainable and efficient code using appropriate programming languages and frameworks.
- Testing: Conduct unit and integration testing to ensure software quality and functionality.
- Deployment: Assist in the deployment of applications and monitor their performance in production environments.
- Collaboration: Work closely with other developers, designers and product managers to deliver high-quality software solutions.
- Maintenance: Update and maintain existing applications, implementing new features and fixing bugs as needed.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field.
- Experience: Experience in software development, with a focus on application development.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python or JavaScript; experience with relevant development frameworks and tools.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot and resolve software issues efficiently.
- Teamwork: Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Communication: Good verbal and written communication skills to articulate technical concepts clearly.
How to Evaluate Software Engineers vs. Software Developers
Because of the difference in role responsibilities, desirable qualities of engineers will vary from qualities of developers. Assessing skills for engineering and developer roles is quite simple.
Since both professionals will be working with the same systems and applications, skill evaluations can be the same. The difference lies in how each individual approaches a problem and offers their solution.
Essential Software Engineer Qualities
Engineers must be great communicators to clearly give direction to their fellow engineers, developers and programmers. Additionally, software engineers should possess strong analytical thinking skills and high-level math prowess.
These are professionals who seek not only to solve a problem but to understand its origin, potential implications and possible impact. Engineers are averse to ambiguity and must consider how their actions could affect other parts of the system.
Essential Software Developer Qualities
As the “carpenter,” a software developer implements the architect’s (engineer’s) plans, bringing the blueprint to life. For that reason, developers can focus on one task at a time to determine an immediate solution, which allows them to be innovative in their approach. Pay attention to their ability to solve problems — can they quickly think of multiple viable solutions while using all the tools at their disposal?
Sample Assessment
Recruiters can also gauge the abilities of potential engineers and developers through interview or pre-employment tests.
As an example, the team at Hackernoon gives the following equation as an assessment question: 6÷2(1+2)=x.
A software developer should offer 1 and 9 as answers — both of which are correct depending on how the order of operations is carried out:
Solution 1: 6÷2(1+2)=1
- (1+2)= 3
- 2(3)=6
- 6÷6=1
Solution 2: 6÷2(1+2)=9
- (1+2)=3
- 6÷2=3
- 3(3)=9
A software engineer, on the other hand, should suggest that the equation is unsolvable since the order of operations is unclear — there is a pair of parentheses missing, either around (6÷2) or (2(1+2)). They know that the equation is ambiguous and solving it requires assuming the formula’s intention. In engineering, there’s no room for ambiguity.
Clarifying the Confusion: Software Engineers vs. Developers
Despite the differences laid out above, the software engineer vs. developer debate remains largely unresolved. That’s due in part to the explosion of the tech industry — the bigger the space, the more responsibilities there are and the more roles that develop.
The segmentation of development and engineering departments is more common in larger organizations (think programmers, developers, engineers, IT managers and CTOs). However, in startup cultures where employees often take on responsibilities outside of their job requirements, titles are more flexible and less defined.
For this reason, job titles are largely left to the company’s discretion. Whether an employee is described as a software engineer or developer depends predominantly on individual skill sets and company preference.
As a tech recruiter, speak with the CTO and hiring manager directly to understand the role you need to fill before writing a job description. Use this guide to inform your conversation — if they say they’re looking for a software developer, but a degree in engineering is a must-have, you can more accurately title the role as a software engineer.
Once you’re clear on which software expert your team needs, hone in on your employer branding efforts to better attract top candidates. Go a step further and learn what software engineers look for in a job opportunity so you can create the most compelling offer possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, a software engineer or a software developer?
Both software engineers and developers are crucial to the success of a business, but determining which is better for your organization depends on your specific needs. Generally, a software engineer focuses on big-picture architecture and design, while a developer focuses on the day-to-day coding and implementation of that design.
Can a software developer be called an engineer?
Yes, a software developer can be called an engineer, and vice versa, as organizations often use the terms interchangeably. However, some employers reserve the engineer title for employees with higher education, degrees or certifications.
