Software engineers
Computer programs - software - are required to make a device work. The Software Engineer develops, builds, maintains and tests these computer programs.
The Software Engineer firstly analyses the needs of end users. Depending on their wishes, the Software Engineer sets up specifications which the software must be designed to meet. For this, the Software Engineer looks at the technical side of the software, but also at user-friendliness and functionality.
The duties of a Software Engineer may include:
- Designing component and object models;
- Describing formal computer languages, interfaces (connections between hardware and software), and protocols (rules or standards that allow computers to communicate with each other and peripheral devices);
- Developing software, including so-called test suites (software that tests other newly developed software), detecting and correcting errors;
- Writing documentation, not only for the users of the software, but also for IT colleagues who need to work with it;
- Drawing up a plan to implement and release the software for commissioning;
- Taking into account the fact that the work processes in a department within a company change after new software has been introduced. The Software Engineer is also responsible for the proper supervision of the users.
