A software engineer, not to be confused with a software developer, can build software products, develop computer games or run network control systems. A software engineer can also choose to focus on downloadable or native apps for mobile users. There is currently a huge demand for these professionals in Galway, Dublin and Cork. This is unsurprising given the number of pharma, med tech and med devices companies that have built a presence in these cities. 

How Do I Become One?
Like most professionals will have a strong mix of hard and soft skills. Many employers will expect you to have a bachelor's degree in engineering, although sometimes this is not essential. You will need solid coding and testing skills and as with all jobs you will need excellent organisational and communication skills.

What’s The Career Path?
As with most engineering jobs, this is a very sought after profession and there is a clear path to growth. Whether those opportunities are in the same company will depend on the business you are with. You should expect to move from junior posts within three years. You should then consider making the move to senior software engineer then to tech lead. Normally at this level, companies will expect advanced architecture, system design, project and people management. 

How Much Can I Expect To Earn?
According to SalaryExplorer.com, Software Engineer(s) in Ireland are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 13% every 16 months. The average national wage for a junior engineer is 19,500 EUR  but the average will earn €38,300 per annum. A senior software engineer can expect to earn €58,900.

How Do I Progress My Career?
Hero pairs the finest engineers with some of the most established life sciences businesses in Ireland. If you’re looking for a career as a software engineer make sure you submit your CV with us today or speak to our experts at HERO Recruitment to find more about what job opportunities there are for qualified engineers.