Resume skills · Computer and Mathematical Occupations
Software Engineer Resume Skills and Keywords
The software, skills and bullet points that belong on a software engineer resume, from U.S. Department of Labor data.
Updated November 6, 2026 · How we build these pages
What skills should I put on a software engineer resume?
The top skills to put on a software engineer resume are Python, Microsoft Azure and C++, along with programming, computers and electronics, and technology design. Employers also look for dependability, attention to detail and intellectual curiosity, which are best shown through results in your bullet points rather than listed.
- Python
- Microsoft Azure
- C++
- C
- Oracle Java
- Programming
- Computers and Electronics knowledge
- Technology Design
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
What software should software engineers know?
Software engineer job postings most often ask for Python, Microsoft Azure, C++, C and Oracle Java. Many software engineers also use development environment software; which products matter depends on the employer, so list the specific products a posting names and you have used.
- Python
- Microsoft Azure
- C++
- C
- Oracle Java
- JavaScript
- C#
- Hypertext markup language (HTML)
- Cascading style sheets (CSS)
- Go
- Apache Kafka
- Structured query language (SQL)
- Kubernetes
- GitHub
- Docker
- IBM Terraform
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- React
- RESTful API
- TypeScript
- Git
- Node.js
- Google Angular
- Jenkins CI
- NoSQL
- Atlassian JIRA
- Spring Framework
- Spring Boot
- PostgreSQL
| Type of work | Tools software engineers use |
|---|---|
| Development tools | Microsoft Visual Basic |
What hard skills do employers want in software engineers?
Software engineers need programming, computers and electronics, technology design, and operations analysis far more than most workers. Name these in your resume summary and prove each one with a bullet that shows you using it.
- Programming · Needed far more than in most jobsWriting computer programs for various purposes.
- Computers and Electronics · Needed far more than in most jobsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Technology Design · Needed far more than in most jobsGenerating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
- Operations Analysis · Needed far more than in most jobsAnalyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Systems Analysis · Needed more than in most jobsDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Systems Evaluation · Needed more than in most jobsIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Compared with the average rating across all jobs in Department of Labor data.
What soft skills do software engineers need?
The most important soft skills for software engineers are dependability, attention to detail and intellectual curiosity, followed by achievement orientation and adaptability. Show them through results in your bullet points rather than listing them as single words.
- Dependability: A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
- Attention to Detail: A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
- Intellectual Curiosity: A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
- Achievement Orientation: A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.
- Adaptability: A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.
What keywords should a software engineer resume include?
A software engineer resume should include the exact tool names, skills and job title from the posting. For software engineers, common keywords include Python, Microsoft Azure, C++, Application Developer and Application Integration Engineer. Applicant tracking systems and recruiters scan for these words, so use them wherever they truthfully describe your experience.
Screening software and recruiters look for the tool names in the posting. Paste your resume to see which software engineer tools it mentions. Nothing leaves your browser.
How do I write software engineer resume bullet points?
Start each software engineer bullet point with a past-tense verb and a core task, such as “Prepared reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status,” then end it with a measurable result: what changed, by how much, and for whom. These starters come from the job’s most important tasks.
Bullet starters from a software engineer’s core tasks
- Analyzed user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints
- Developed or directed software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation
- Conferred with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces
- Modified existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance
- Prepared reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status
- Analyzed information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system
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- Stored, retrieved, and manipulated data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements
- Designed, developed and modified software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design
- Determined system performance standards
- Consulted with customers or other departments on project status, proposals, or technical issues, such as software system design or maintenance
- Conferred with data processing or project managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for data processing projects
- Monitored functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications
- Coordinated installation of software system
- Supervised the work of programmers, technologists and technicians and other engineering and scientific personnel
- Supervised and assigned work to programmers, designers, technologists, technicians, or other engineering or scientific personnel
Resume summary starter
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
What are other job titles for a software engineer?
Other job titles for a software engineer include Application Developer, Application Integration Engineer, Developer, DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer) and Infrastructure Engineer. Government job data groups them as “Software Developers.” Search for these titles too, and use the posting’s exact title on your resume when it fits your experience.
- Application Developer
- Application Integration Engineer
- Developer
- DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer)
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Software Architect
- Software Developer
- Software Development Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- AI Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Specialist)
- Application Analyst
- Application Architect
- Application Engineer
- Application Integrator
- Application Programmer
- Application Software Engineering IT Specialist (Application Software Engineering Information Technology Specialist)
- Application Support Engineer
- Application Systems Analyst
- Application Systems Architect
- Beta Tester
What education do software engineers need?
Most software engineers need a bachelor's degree to get hired. No prior work experience is usually required. On your resume, list coursework or certifications in computers and electronics and mathematics. In a federal survey, 85% of software engineers said the job requires a bachelor's degree.
How much do software engineers make?
Software engineers earn a median salary of $135,980 a year, according to May 2025 federal wage data. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $82,460, and the highest-paid 10% earn more than $214,670. Employment is projected to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all jobs, with about 95,300 openings a year.
Median yearly pay, May 2025
$135,980
80% earn $82,460 to $214,670
Expected job growth, 2025–35
+10.2%
All jobs: +3.5%
Job openings per year
95,300
1,687,890 people work in this job
Typical education to get hired
Bachelor's degree
Turn this list into a tailored software engineer resume
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Try the AI Resume Builder freeWhere this data comes from
- Software, skills, traits, tasks, titles and education survey: O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor), occupation 15-1252.00.
- Pay and employment: Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey (OEWS), May 2025, occupation 15-1252.
- Job growth, openings and typical education: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by MyCareerAI. Full attribution and changes