Support 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 both challenging and rewarding. If you’re interested in working with software, you may be wondering whether a career in support engineering or software engineering is right for you. Both roles require strong technical skills, but there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we compare and contrast support engineering and software engineering, and we provide information to help you decide which path is right for you.
What is a Support Engineer?
A Support Engineer provides technical assistance to customers or users of a company’s products or services. They troubleshoot issues and offer solutions to problems via phone, email, or chat. They may also provide step-by-step instructions on how to use a product or service. Support Engineers typically work in a call center environment and have a set of standard procedures to follow. They may also escalate issues to higher-level support staff or developers when necessary.
What is a Software Engineer?
Software Engineers are responsible for developing, testing and maintaining software applications. They work closely with business analysts and developers to create custom software solutions for clients. They also research, design and develop new software programs. Software Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. They must be able to effectively communicate with non-technical staff and explain complex technical information in layman’s terms. They must also be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Support Engineer vs. Software Engineer
Here are the main differences between a support engineer and a software engineer.
Job Duties
Both support engineers and software engineers have similar job duties, although the tasks they perform daily may differ. For example, a support engineer might take calls from customers who need assistance with using or installing an application. A software engineer might write code to improve a product before testing it to ensure that it works correctly. While both professionals may use their expertise in engineering to help them do their jobs, the products they work on and the methods they use to complete their work typically differ.
Job Requirements
Support engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field. They might also benefit from pursuing certifications, such as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification or the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification.
Software engineers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science as well. Some software engineering positions might require a master’s degree or even a doctorate. Many software engineers also pursue professional certifications to improve their job prospects. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers offers a few different software engineering certifications, including the Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) certification and the Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA) certification.
Work Environment
Support engineers typically work in an office setting, but they may also travel to clients’ locations. They often spend their days on the phone or emailing with customers and colleagues. Software engineers usually work in an office environment, but they may also travel to different sites for meetings or conferences. They spend most of their time working on computers, either coding or testing software.
Skills
Both support engineers and software engineers use customer service skills when they are assisting customers with technical issues. They also need to have strong problem-solving skills to be able to quickly identify the root cause of an issue and find a resolution.
Support engineers typically need to have a more in-depth knowledge of the products they are supporting, as they are often the first point of contact for customers who are experiencing issues. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, as they may not be familiar with technical jargon. Software engineers need to have strong programming skills to be able to create code that meets the specifications set by their team or client. They also need to be able to troubleshoot code to identify and fix errors.
Salary
Software engineers earn an average salary of $106,619 per year, while support engineers earn an average salary of $74,051 per year. Both of these average salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.