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Software Developer

Designing, running and improving software that meets user needs

How this role makes a difference

Computers, mobile phones, computer games, apps, websites, cars, and all sorts of appliances require software to make them operate and to provide a good user experience.

Producing the software involves understanding requirements and working out how to use existing code or produce new code to make different activities and functionality possible. You could be the technician who uses code to improve how things operate and how people do things at work, at home, and in their free time.

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Understanding software development objectives
  • Interpreting design specifications
  • Researching existing software solutions
  • Producing code that solves problems
  • Testing software solutions through user testing
  • Reporting progress
  • Writing up technical specifications
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in software and where and how it’s used.

A fascination with technological innovations and the confidence to engage with new software.

The ability to think carefully about a subject or idea, ask questions and act on what you’ve learned.

The ability to define a problem, evaluate different responses and move forward with the best possible solution.

A knack for teaching others how to do something.

A responsible and thorough approach when reviewing work and carrying out checks.

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- gaming and technology

- exploring problems and finding answers

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
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Average salary per month *

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*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

You might specialise in one industry, service or product range, or work for a consultancy where you develop software solutions to a range of problems.

With experience you could become a senior software developer, responsible for leading a team and projects. Or alternatively you could decide to be a freelance developer, working with different teams on diverse contracts.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Software developers are the important minds behind computer programmes. Their skills help to differentiate products and services and give organisations a competitive advantage by making their activities faster, more reliable, easier to do, and, in some circumstances, more fun. The right software can drive up performance in all sorts of ways.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Application Developer
Mobile Application Developer
Software Engineer
Web Developer

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Esther Ogunmefun

Software Developer

Esther Ogunmefun
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