2173 Software Engineers and Designers

Software engineers research, design, evaluate, integrate and maintain software applications, technical environments, operating systems, embedded software, information warehouses and telecommunications software. They are employed in information technology consulting firms, information technology research and development firms and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed. Common Job Titles Application Architect Computer Software Engineer Embedded Software Engineer Software Architect Software Design Engineer Software Design Verification Engineer Software Designer Software Engineer Software Testing Engineer Systems Intergration Engineer - Software Technical Architect - Software Telecommunications Software Engineer Typical Employers computer systems design and related services scientific research and development services communications equipment manufacturing software publishers computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing wholesale trade finance and insurance companies public administration

Selected Main Duties

Software engineers perform some or all of the following duties: Collect and document user's requirements and develop logical and physical specifications; Research, evaluate and synthesize technical information to design, develop and test computerbased systems; Develop data, process and network models to optimize architecture and to evaluate the performance and reliability of designs; Plan, design and co-ordinate the development, installation, integration and operation of computerbased systems;

www.ontario.ca/jobfutures Queens Printer for Ontario, 2009

Assess, troubleshoot, document, upgrade and develop maintenance procedures for operating systems, communications environments and applications software; May lead and co-ordinate teams of information systems professionals in the development of software and integrated information systems, process control software and other embedded software control systems.

The majority of software engineers work the typical 40 hour workweek, with the occasional overtime. The working hours usually occur between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, with some evening and weekend work required to meet deadlines. Software engineers primarily work indoors, usually in offices or computer laboratories. There may be frequent travel required to visit offsite clients.

Education/Training
A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering or mathematics is required, although some employers do accept the completion of a college program in computer science. In some cases a master's or doctoral degree in a related discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Candidates for license must have completed an engineering program accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers or demonstrate equivalent educational qualifications, as well as have 48 months of satisfactory engineering work experience. At least one year of work experience must be obtained in a Canadian jurisdiction. Software engineers must have strong problem solving and analytical skills. Knowledge of industry/business matters and practices is an advantage. While technical skills are crucial, employers are placing more emphasis on written and verbal communication skills, project management skills, leadership and management skills, presentation skills and appropriate business experience. The Ontario government supports programs that can help newcomers get their license or certificate in their profession or trade so that they can work in Ontario. For more information, visit the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration website at http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/experience/

Employment Prospect
Over the next five years: Good Opportunities for employment in this occupation are expected to be good over the period from 2009 to 2013. In an economic downturn, employment in this sector could fall below the forecasted rate. However, companies will continue to require these professionals but at a much more measured pace. Software engineers are employed in high level design of software applications and operating systems. Employers needs are highly specific and can be obtained through industry-based internships. Software development skills in demand include Java, Visual C++, Visual Basic, SQL Server, Oracle DB and MS Access. To be successful in this field, a significant amount of time is required to keep up-to-date on new technologies and their applications. Consulting and freelance work are areas of growth within this occupation. According to a recent study by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), employers are most in need of workers needs with a combination of technical, business and interpersonal skills, including: core technical skills; experience with specific applications and platforms;

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 experience with specific business processes to which ICT is a solution; communications skills; and team work skills. (Information and Communications Technology Council, Outlook for Human Resources in the ICT Labour Market: 2008-2015, October 2008, p. 12 Available at http://www.ictc-ctic.ca/en/Content.aspx?id=2055)

Characteristics of Occupation
Estimated Employment in 2006 16,655

General Characteristics Male Female Full-Time Part-Time Self Employed Employees Unemployment Rate Main Industries of Employment Computer System Design Services Computer, Electronic and Electrical Products Information, Culture and Recreation Other Professional Services Wholesale Trade All Other Industries

(%) 79 21 95 3 8 92 3 (%) 38 13 12 11 7 19 (%) This Occupation 32 2 0 50 8 4 (%) All Occupations 10 3 3 45 10 11

Employment by Economic Region Ottawa Kingston - Pembroke Muskoka - Kawarthas Toronto Kitchener - Waterloo - Barrie Hamilton - Niagara Peninsula

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London Windsor - Sarnia Stratford - Bruce Peninsula Northeast Northwest

2 2 0 0 0

5 5 2 4 2

Income

Annual Average Employment Income of Persons Employed Full-Time Full-Year in 2005

$100,000 $80,000 $60,000 $40,000 $20,000 $0 This Occupation All Occupations $56,033 $85,263

Additional Information Sources

Additional information about this occupation can be obtained from the following web sites: Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (www.iccp.org) Information and Communications Technology Council (www.ictc-ctic.ca) Engineers Canada (www.engineerscanada.ca) Professional Engineers Ontario (www.peo.on.ca)

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