Software Engineer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Software Engineers and Designers (2173) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Software Engineers (C073) 
• 2011 NOC: Software engineers and designers (2173) 
• 2016 NOC: Software engineers and designers (2173) 

Software engineers design, develop, modify, research, test and maintain software (such as business and engineering applications, databases, process control systems and systems software). They may develop software that can be adapted for more than one application. They may develop custom embedded software for use in computer-controlled products (such as consumer electronics or car engines). They may also manage projects or work on architecture design for end-to-end solutions. Their work involves:

• consulting with system users
• studying users’ needs
• developing design specifications
• developing strategies to assure fault tolerance performance and system security
• designing software products and user interfaces
• changing existing software (such as to fix errors, adapt to new hardware, increase performance or upgrade user interfaces)
• testing and validating programs
• installing and maintaining programs
• studying performance
• integrating programs with legacy and third-party systems.

They may also:

• prepare proposals
• write product documentation
• obtain quotes from suppliers
• provide cost studies
• determine system performance standards
• manage software projects
• assist in the marketing and selling of software
• supervise technical staff
• mentor junior technical staff.

Software engineers must keep their knowledge and skills up to date. This can be difficult because of rapid changes in technology. They often work as members of design teams. These teams may include:

• programmers
• hardware engineers
• mechanical engineers
• technologists
• system administrators
• technicians
• marketing and manufacturing specialists.

Software engineers spend most of their time on computers in office settings. They may work a lot of overtime. They may feel pressure to meet deadlines. They may have to travel (to attend meetings, give briefings, obtain user requirements or oversee the creation of prototypes or products).

Software engineers need to possess:

• excellent speaking and writing skills
• the ability to pay attention to details
• decision-making and problem-solving skills
• an aptitude for math, science and programming
• the ability to teach others
• the ability to manage time well
• the ability to think logically and analyze complex problems
• patience and persistence
• teamwork skills.

They should enjoy:

• being creative
• performing tasks that require precision
• having a structured approach to their work
• being up to date on the newest technology trends and changes
• learning new computer languages and programming skills.

Software engineers work for:

• companies that make embedded (included in other products) software
• companies that develop industrial instruments and process-control products
• consulting companies
• manufacturing companies
• energy companies (such as oil and gas companies)
• schools
• research institutions
• governments
• internet-based businesses
• software marketing companies.

Working in a smaller company requires a broader range of skills. Duties with larger companies may be more specialized.

With experience, software engineers can move into other areas of engineering, become consultants or start their own companies. They can also move into management. Those who want to manage may need additional training in business administration.

Software engineers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2173: Software engineers and designers. In Alberta, 77% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services [pdf]
• Wholesale Trade [pdf]
• Information, Culture and Recreation [pdf]
• Manufacturing [pdf].

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

In Alberta, the C073: Software Engineers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 99 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca

Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) of Alberta website: www.cipsalberta.ca

Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) website: www.ictc-ctic.ca

Technology Alberta website: technologyalberta.com

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.