The Work

Computer software engineers traditionally work on the most complex types of software, including operating systems, while analyst/applications programmers work on software used to carry out business activities, such as managing a payroll. However, these career titles are becoming increasingly used to describe both types of work.  
 
Software engineers are involved in all stages in the development of a software product. They apply software technology to meet a defined need or solve a particular problem. This could involve analysing an existing system, designing a new system or investigating new technologies.  
 
Software engineers tend to work for: IT firms or consultancies; major IT users, organisations that harness, create or use IT, such as banks, retailers, manufacturers, telecommunications companies, the armed forces the public sector and voluntary organisations.  

 
At the start of a project, software engineers have to develop their knowledge of the client's business and their particular needs and problems.  
 
You will also be working closely with other staff/project managers, systems analysts and sales and marketing professionals.  
 
Next, they work with their clients to agree on important issues such as the hardware and software they need, costs and deadlines, as well as setting out a specification of what the finished software product should be.  
 
Software engineers (usually working in a team on larger programs) will then begin to write the program or programs. They will then test the program for bugs (faults), correcting any problems that they find.  
 
Software engineers may train their clients to use the new program or system. They are also likely to train other people who need to know how to support and maintain the system, for example, computer service technicians and support services engineers.  
 
Computer software engineers may write instructions or manuals to go with the software they have developed.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Analyse information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
• Analyse user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
• Confer with data processing or project managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for data processing projects.
• Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
• Consult with customers or other departments on project status, proposals, or technical issues, such as software system design or maintenance.
• Coordinate installation of software system.
• Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.
• Determine system performance standards.
• Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
• Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.

Further Information

• Software Engineer - from: STEPS
• Software Engineer - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Most Software Engineers have a degree in Software Engineering, Electronics or Computer Science. Some will have postgraduate qualifications in computing, in which case their first degree may not be in a computing subject area, but more likely they progressed from an undergraduate in computing to a postgraduate in a more advanced topic.    

There are many pathways to develop your skills, experience, and learning to progress towards a career in Software development 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship ICT skills development, Software development NFQ level 5 search FET courses

FEt centre Post leaving cert Software development for apps/ games / network Architecture NFQ level 5-6 search PLC courses

Software Development Associate Professional is an apprenticeship style “learning by doing” format of ICT skills development which has been endorsed by the industry and government. This is a two-year programme during which candidates who are competent tech enthusiasts attain a Level 6 ICT and Professional Development Award search apprenticeships

Higher education entry routes CAO Software Developers typically have a degree in Software Development or Computer Programming. Other relevant disciplines include Computer Science, ICT, Computing and Software Engineering.

Relevant degree courses are available from most Institutes of Technology and a range of private colleges. While entry is open to non-graduates, preference will more than likely be given to those with relevant degrees or training NFQ level 6-8 search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Advanced Software Engineering, Applied Software Development, Computer Science - Advanced Software Development, Computing - Enterprise Software Systems, Software Design & Development NFQ level 9

Springboard courses ICT Conversion Software development courses are also available via courses at NFQ level 6-9 Search Springboardcourses

Skillnets Software professional development courses for job seekers & upskilling for people in employment 

Engineers Ireland Computing professionals can gain Chartered Engineer or Associate Engineer status through Engineers Ireland after first gaining an accredited degree, diploma or certificate, followed by three or four years experience in the workplace. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €50k - €120k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Lincoln / Morgan McKinley/ CPL/ Sigmar/ Collins McNicolas/ Archer/ Abrivia/ Osborne/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The negative average annual employment growth rate over the five-year period for this occupation is partly related to changes in the LFS in 2017; however, employment has declined annually since 2020. Those employed were primarily male, working full-time and held third-level qualifications. The share of non-Irish citizens employed far exceeded the national average (41% compared to 19% nationally).

Despite the decline in employment, over 3,500 new employment permits were issued in 2022 across a range of roles including IT analysts/engineers (cloud, security, systems, network, test), There was a high volume of mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey for network/security and site reliability engineers while vacancies for software testers were cited as difficult to fill by employers in the Skills for Growth data, particularly for those with cybersecurity, cloud computing and HTML skills. The number of online job adverts declined by 12% in 2022, predominantly due to the fall in postings for systems analysts which alone accounted for nearly half the total decline in ICT job postings in 2022.

Despite falling employment numbers, strong demand remains evident across the indicators in key areas such as network/cloud and security engineering. The move to remote working since the onset of the pandemic, along with the war in Ukraine, have increased the prevalence of cybersecurity threats39 with demand for these skills likely to persist. The fall in online vacancy advertisements indicates a slowing in demand but shortages remain, at least in the short-term.

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here

• ICS - The Society for Chartered IT Professionals in Ireland

  • 87-89 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4
  • (01) 237 7788
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Software Association

  • Confederation House, 84/86 Lower Baggot St. Dublin 2
  • (01) 605 1500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Technology Ireland

  • 84/86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 605 1500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • Click Here