Sales Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What Are the Differences?
Learn about the two careers and review some of the similarities and differences between them.
A career in engineering can be very rewarding, but it’s important to choose the right path for you. If you’re interested in working with software or sales, you may be wondering if a career as a sales engineer or software engineer is right for you. In this article, we compare and contrast these two engineering fields, discuss the similarities and differences between them and provide helpful tips for choosing the right career path.
What is a Sales Engineer?
Sales Engineers are responsible for translating a company’s technical products or services into language that a sales team can use to close deals with customers. They work with both the sales team and engineering team to understand the features and capabilities of products or services and then develop sales strategies that will showcase the benefits of these offerings to potential customers. Sales Engineers typically have a background in engineering or a related field, which gives them the technical knowledge to understand complex products and services. They use this knowledge to develop sales presentations and demonstrations that will help the sales team close deals.
What is a Software Engineer?
Software Engineers are responsible for developing, testing and maintaining software applications. They work with other team members to create software that meets the needs of users. They also create technical specifications and design documents. Software Engineers may work on a variety of applications, such as mobile apps, video games, operating systems, business applications and more. They use programming languages to write code and use software development tools to debug, test and deploy applications. Software Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
Sales Engineer vs. Software Engineer
Here are the main differences between a sales engineer and a software engineer.
Job Duties
Sales representatives have a lot of contact with external customers and clients. They’re often in front of potential buyers, either face-to-face or over the phone, to persuade them to purchase products or services. Software engineers work more internally, developing products for internal users rather than external ones. While both professions involve different duties related to their jobs, the job duties that are the same tend to be at lower levels of importance. For example, both sales representatives and software engineers might troubleshoot issues with hardware or software, but the software engineer does so as part of their regular job responsibilities, while the sales representative does so when trying to help a client solve a problem with their purchase.
Job Requirements
Sales engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or another relevant field. They also need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills so they can effectively sell products to customers. Some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or a related field.
Software engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. They might also need experience with specific programming languages and software development tools. To stay up-to-date on the latest technology trends, many software engineers pursue continuing education opportunities and participate in professional development activities.
Work Environment
Software engineers and sales engineers work in different environments. Sales engineers often travel to meet with clients, so they may spend a lot of time on the road or in airplanes. They also typically work during regular business hours, but some companies require them to be available for after-hours calls and meetings.
Software engineers usually work in an office environment, although some may work remotely. They may have more predictable schedules than sales engineers because their jobs don’t involve as much customer interaction.
Skills
Both sales engineers and software engineers use problem-solving skills in their jobs. For sales engineers, they need to be able to identify potential problems that a customer may have and then offer solutions through the products they are selling. Software engineers also need to be able to identify potential problems but their focus is on developing code that will solve those issues.
Both of these professionals need to have excellent communication skills. Sales engineers need to be able to explain complex technical information to customers in a way that is easy for them to understand. They also need to be able to build relationships with customers. Software engineers need to be able to communicate with other members of their team, including developers, testers and project managers. They also might need to create documentation that explains their code or presents it to clients.
Sales engineers also need to have strong research skills. They need to be able to understand the products they are selling inside and out. They also need to know about the competition and what sets their products apart. Software engineers also need to be able to do research, especially when they are trying to find solutions to coding problems. However, they might also need to research new technologies that can be used to improve the software they are developing.
Salary
The average salary for a sales engineer is $87,120 per year, while the average salary for a software engineer is $106,619 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the type of company you work for, your level of experience and your location.