Software design and delivery professionals are concentrated in the computer and data processing industry. They are also employed in the following industries:

manufacturing,
financial,
insurance,
medical,
industrial,
military,
communications,
aerospace, and
scientific.

How You Do It

Participating in a team environment, you will work in consultation with other engineering staff to evaluate the operational and performance requirements of an organization’s overall computer system.

You will cover all stages in the development and support of software products and systems from start to finish. This will also include installation and maintenance. In some instances, you may be required to develop custom software to adapt the system to special applications.

Depending on your expertise, your job could entail anything from:

working on multi-discipline projects such as developing and advancing uses of virtual reality in robotics,
applying theory and principles of science and mathematics to the design of hardware, software, networks and processes to solve technical problems,
designing programming tools,
analyzing and solving programming problems,
developing specialized languages or information technologies, and
designing and developing software systems for control and automation of manufacturing, business and management processes.

Challenges

As a software design and delivery professional you must be able to think logically and deal with of number of tasks simultaneously.

It is high stress and there are always pressures to meet deadlines. Dealing with computer personnel, as well as with users who have no technical background, you have to know how to communicate effectively.

As technology continues to advance, software design and delivery professionals will need to up-grade their technical expertise on a regular basis.

Skills

gather and interpret relevant data and information,
use computer technology to solve a variety of complex problems,
interview and relate to people,
communicate clear and consistent information,
think analytically and problem solve,
make effective decisions under pressure,
explain complex information simply and accurately,
pay attention to detail and work effectively under pressure, and be flexible in your thinking.

Working Conditions

Software design and delivery professionals often work in a comfortable office environment. They usually work 40 hours a week, however there is often overtime to meet tight deadlines.

Software design and delivery professionals usually work in a team environment on projects and a growing number are employed on a temporary or contract basis. Many are self-employed. Telecommuting is becoming more common for these professionals.

Like other workers who spend their time in front of a computer terminal, software design and delivery professionals are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort and hand and wrist problems.

What the Future Holds

The demand for software design and delivery professionals is high, and in the coming years it is not expected to change.

Skill Levels

Entry Level Software Design and Delivery Professional

Working under the supervision of a more senior informatics staff member, you could be required to do any of the following:

specify information flow, processes and procedures between users and system,
provide application support to client, explaining software and designing queries,
verify that system meets requirements,
convert logical specifications into detailed physical design,
construct, modify, test, maintain, and document program modules,
participate in joint application development (JAD) sessions with users to identify user requirements,
interpret and execute test plans,
identify and assess architecture, operating systems and software to meet user requirements, and
participate in walk-throughs of system designs or partially developed systems.

Full Working Software Design and Delivery

At this level, you will be performing the job as a full working software design and delivery professional without supervision and you may be responsible for the supervision of other staff on a project.

In addition you may be responsible for small projects or portions of medium-large projects, and you may be required to:

construct test plans,
investigate requirements, analysis, specifications and user-system dialogue,
apply quality control techniques,
isolate and identify problems caused by procedure, software or hardware,
balance need for properly engineered systems attributes,
use specialized techniques and methods to account for safety aspects,
present technical problems, processes and solutions,
plan and schedule work,
provide technical decisions covering a major unit of informatics activity,
analyze, design and develop program code,
identify and assess architecture, operating systems and software to meet user requirements,
prepare and construct walk-throughs of systems designs or partially developed systems,
schedule and plan systems maintenance, and
use special techniques, tools and methods to account for safety.

Intermediate Software Design and Delivery

As the intermediate software design and delivery professional, you will be expected to supervise staff. You may also be required to:

ensure engineering quality of software developed and systems produced,
provide advice and estimates for use of informatics or related technology,
recognize and promote new opportunities for informatics,
design, develop, and implement tools relevant to Software Engineering,
formulate policy and procurement decisions on all areas of informatics,
communicate with all levels of management and with clients,
plan and give technical short courses,
coordinate and manage multiple projects and lead multiple design teams,
manage resources including budget, scheduling and procurement, and
form policy and procurement decisions on all areas of informatics.

Senior Software Design and Delivery

As the senior software design and delivery professional you will most likely be involved in planning, conducting and supervising complex informatics assignments. You will also be involved in designing and applying new methods and procedures and supervising staff.

You may also be required to do some of the following:

manage software environment used to develop and maintain custom applications,
provide software technical expertise in database and application support,
coordinate business, engineering, scientific, and economic studies,
oversee development of organization-wide, integrated information systems,
evaluate and recommend use for new development tools,
provide leadership on organization’s systems direction and assess impact,
supervise, train and work with staff, users and vendors,
approve policies,
initiate multiple projects,
communicate with all levels in organization and with clients and public, and
approve clients.

Salary Range

$39,000 - $81,750

The Education and Training

Junior Software Design and Delivery Professional

Education requirements vary depending on an employer’s needs. In general, you need a university degree or college diploma with 0-2 years experience in the IT industry. In some instances a degree in computer science or electrical engineering is required. Entry level positions also require some knowledge of computer programming.

Full Working Software Design and Delivery Professional

This level requires 3-5 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university or college diploma.

Intermediate Software Design and Delivery Professional

This level requires 6-8 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university or college diploma.

Senior Software Design and Delivery Professional

This level requires 9 years or more experience in the IT industry and specific job experience as well as a university or college diploma.

Computer Engineer

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