5 Software Jobs You Should Apply For to Progress Your Career

According to Statista, as of September 2023, over 1 million UK professionals were employed in computer programming. Many of these people within the tech community found themselves working in software jobs. Speaking of the latter, various jobs in software offer excellent career opportunities for professionals at all levels. In this guide, we’ll explore five top positions to help inspire you to consider a career in software or transition into a new role within the industry. 

We’ll provide an overview of each role, outlining the expected responsibilities, skills and requirements to help you see why these five software jobs are ones you should apply for to progress your career.

This guide will cover the following software jobs:

1. Software Engineer Jobs

2. DevOps Engineer Jobs

3. Software Product Manager Jobs

4. Solutions Architect Jobs

5. Software Test Engineer Jobs

1. Software Engineer Jobs

Software engineer jobs are among the top roles in the software industry. They require talent to support businesses that need specialist skills to create, develop, and maintain computer programs and software systems. Software engineers are vital assets to any organisation with a tech stack and will debug, code and enhance software to meet the business's and its users' expectations. 

Talent in software engineering jobs can work on various software applications for specialist IT organisations, gaming companies, financial service firms, the public utilities space, and more. A software engineer's primary objective is to ensure that programs are efficient, reliable, and user-friendly. They often work closely with other software professionals and talent within the tech community, from testers to architects and DevOps engineers.

Responsibilities of a software engineer

Below are the typical responsibilities found in software engineer jobs:

• Interpreting client and user needs to develop programs

• Writing code for new software programs

• Optimising existing programs to enhance efficiencies

• Testing and refining code to ensure programs operate effectively

• Identifying and correcting software bugs to improve performance

Skills and requirements of software engineer jobs

Here are the top software engineering skills and requirements you should acquire:

• Experience with front-end web technologies, operating platforms and systems

• Knowledge of C++, Java, Python and other programming languages

• Understanding how to troubleshoot and improve underperforming programs

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills 

• A  bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science or a related field 

Candidates in the tech community looking to register for the latest software jobs can begin their careers as junior software engineers. After several years of experience, you could transition into senior and leadership roles within the software space. With exciting opportunities across various industries, a career as a software engineer allows for continuous professional development and the chance to support the latest software innovations.

2. DevOps Engineer Jobs

Next on our list of the top software jobs you should apply for to progress your career is the role of a DevOps engineer. DevOps stands for development operations and combines the expertise of IT infrastructure and software development. Engineers in DevOps jobs are responsible for automating and streamlining processes around creating, testing and implementing software products. 

DevOps engineers play an essential role in organisations of various sizes, from global brands to fast-rising start-ups. They typically work for software organisations, tech firms, retailers, utility companies, and public sector businesses. The top duties of a DevOps engineer are to help companies reach faster time to market their software-related products while enhancing operational efficiencies and customer experiences. 

Responsibilities of a DevOps engineer

If you’re looking to apply for DevOps engineer jobs, these are the typical duties you can expect to carry out:

• Designing automation tools and frameworks to speed up the time to market 

• Troubleshoot and resolve application-related

• Maintain DevOps-related tech, configuration management tools, and version control systems

• Resolving bottlenecks across the software development lifecycle

• Oversee IT infrastructure for optimal performance, scalability and security

Skills and requirements of DevOps engineer jobs

These are the primary skills and requirements needed to become a DevOps engineer:

• Knowledge of programming languages such as Java, Ruby and Python 

• Understanding of DevOps tools such as Ansible, Docker and Jenkins

• Experience with Azure, AWS and Google Cloud platforms

• Previous experience in software development and IT operations

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, information technology, or a related field

With solid communication and problem-solving skills, successful DevOps engineers must look to continuously improve their knowledge within the software space, including knowing the latest tools and compliance regulations. Whether you’re a graduate DevOps engineer or seeking more senior positions as a DevOps manager, opportunities in this space provide excellent career progression.

3. Software Product Manager Jobs

Software talent in product manager jobs is responsible for overseeing a software product's life cycle, from its initial design to launch. They take the business's brief and translate their needs to the broader software team to ensure the requirements are met. A software product manager will support idea generation, product strategy and launch plans to bring the client's vision to life. 

Throughout the product life cycle, software product managers track the project's progress, ensuring the objectives are met on time and within budget. They are specialists within the market and utilise user feedback and data analytics to ensure the products remain aligned with the original strategy and company goals. 

Responsibilities of a software product manager

Below are the typical duties of software product managers:

• Translate company strategies into software development requirements

• Track the progress of the software solution throughout the product life cycle

• Analyse the market for effective software features in company strategies  

• Prioritise feature requests from company briefs and the software team

• Oversee the project scope, including time management and budgeting

Skills and requirements of software product manager jobs

These are the primary skills and requirements needed to become a successful software product manager:

• Experience in product management jobs

• Knowledge of software development and product market strategies

• Strong communication and analytical skills

• Ability to create roadmaps and bring software development visions to life

• Understanding of marketing strategies, product pricing and UX design

In larger organisations, software product managers typically spend more time managing software teams, including designers, developers, researchers and marketers. Those working in start-ups or SMEs may find themselves managing the project while having more hands-on input. Software product managers with years of experience can progress to senior product manager software jobs or director-level roles such as Chief Product Officer.

4. Solutions Architect Jobs

Another top software job worth submitting your CV to is that of a solutions architect. Otherwise referred to as systems architects, solutions architects translate, build, and deploy software and technology systems for businesses. They offer strategic advice throughout the software development process, liaising between various stakeholders, from talent with technical know-how to board members with non-technical backgrounds.

Solutions architects work closely with the broader software team, often making key technical decisions and collaborating with enterprise architects to ensure projects align with company goals and follow a strategic direction. Essentially, the role of a solutions architect is to scope out an organisation's tech stack, ensuring it is equipped with the best software solutions to streamline business operations.

Responsibilities of a solutions architect

Here are the typical duties of a solutions architect:

• Identify potential software solutions aligned with the company's goals

• Design IT solution integration processes to meet business needs

• Regularly Audit system architecture and optimise existing designs

• Analyse the impact of technical changes on company processes

• Ensure stakeholders are updated on software solution project developments

Skills and requirements of solutions architect jobs

Top solutions architects will be equipped with the following skills and requirements:

• Knowledge of IT infrastructure, including system security

• Expertise in various programming languages such as Javascript and Python

• Ability to interpret technical designs through technical drawing

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Project management and analytical skills

Solutions architects typically have a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science and at least 5-10 years of experience in information technology and software development. By applying for solutions architect software jobs, you could play a significant part in identifying, building and implementing software solutions for various organisations. 

5. Software Test Engineer Jobs

Software professionals searching for top contractor or permanent software jobs should consider the role of a test engineer. Test engineers in the software space are responsible for designing testing processes to ensure software programs run smoothly and as expected. They will use manual and automated processes to conduct various tests, document program performance, and report on their findings to the wider software team.

A software test engineer will also detect bugs in existing and developing programs. They work with other software developers and engineers to resolve issues and optimise software solutions. Software test engineer jobs can be found in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, the public sector, and more.

Responsibilities of a software test engineer

These are the typical responsibilities of a software test engineer:

• Develop manual and automated software testing procedures

• Conduct regular tests to assess the efficiency of a program

• Identify software bugs and performance issues

• Document tests and report findings to the wider software team 

• Support the software team with resolving issues and optimising programs

Skills and requirements of software test engineer jobs

Successful software test engineers come with these skills and requirements:

• Proven technical background

• Experience using various software programs

• Solid problem-solving and communication skills

• Excellent attention to detail

• A bachelor's degree in software engineering, information technology or a related field

Employers typically seek candidates with previous experience in software testing or a similar role within the tech space. Proficient experience using various programming languages is also valuable for talent applying for these software jobs. A career as a software test engineer could see you play a vital role in ensuring the efficiencies of various software programs and could lead to future opportunities in roles such as project management.

The Final Word on Attracting Talent to Your Software Jobs

Pursuing a career in any of the five software jobs highlighted in this blog can significantly boost your professional development and open doors to advanced opportunities in the tech industry. Each role offers unique responsibilities, skill requirements, and career advancement, allowing you to align your career aspirations with your interests and strengths. 

Focusing on these high-impact software roles ensures that your contributions are valued and that you remain at the forefront of technological innovation and development in the tech community.

Experts in Sourcing the Best Jobs in Software

If you’re searching for the top software jobs to advance your career, we can help. Since 2008, our specialist software recruitment consultants have supported the tech community, helping graduates kickstart their careers in entry-level positions and mid to director-level professionals find their next challenge in the industry. We'll connect you to the market's best contract and permanent jobs in software using our global network of emerging start-ups, established organisations and everything in between.

Register for the latest software jobs or contact us today to see how we’re raising the standards of software recruitment and helping talented professionals progress their careers.