To be successful as a software engineer, you need to have a good understanding of business basics, knowledge in the area of design methodology, and be very good at communicating your ideas. The minimum educational requirement for a software engineer is the BS degree in computer science. You must also be familiar and comfortable with specific computer languages such as C++, Java, and others.

Pay for software engineers depends upon the level of education, the years of experience, and the geographic location of the job. For example, new graduates from a top university in California may receive starting pay totaling between $45,000 and $60,000 annually. Performance bonuses are also common in the industry, as are profit sharing plans and stock-purchase programs. Stock is often used in place of base salary in a new start-up company.

Software engineers may advance to the position of Software Architect. This individual is responsible for breaking down a complicated application into smaller and more manageable pieces during the design phase. The software architect needs to understand the function of each component, the interactions and relationships between components, and then be able to communicate these elements to developers. The communication between the marketing team, software architect, and the developers is often done through requirement documentation.