How to find the right software engineer jobs for you

Gone are the days of sending out resumes randomly, hoping one sticks. In today's tricky job market, you have to have a clear strategy for your job search. 

But where do you start? How can software engineers narrow the choices to target the jobs that match your skills and align with your career goals? 

Let’s explore how to streamline your job search by identifying what truly matters—the company's culture, the type of role that excites you, and the level that challenges yet suits you. 

Consider the culture of the company

A company culture that aligns with your values and work style is the most important factor contributing to job satisfaction and career growth. You need to find an environment where you feel motivated and supported, whether that's a fast-paced, innovative startup or a stable, structured corporate setting. 

Consider typical factors like work-life balance, team dynamics, and the company's mission and values. But also consider what stage of company you’d prefer to work for. Where the company is in its growth makes a big difference. 

Large companies, especially those that have gone public, usually move slower than smaller, earlier-stage companies. They’ll have set procedures and less ambiguity. They have processes for everything, which can mean more red tape. Specialization is critical here; you'll likely focus on one particular area. The specialization and narrowly scoped work can help you become an expert in a certain area and open up many opportunities that rely on that depth of knowledge for success.

On the other hand, smaller, early-stage companies often need generalists. You'll wear many hats. There will be more unknowns, and you’ll need to be more self-directed. The earlier the company's stage, the more likely it is that engineers will be expected to familiarize themselves with most of the codebase and contribute. If there’s a feature that requires updates to the interface and a new API, any engineer should be able to handle that, even if they prefer one area of the stack. The breadth of responsibilities can often fast-track someone's experience level in terms of things they've worked on or PRs they've shipped.

So, if you enjoy being a jack-of-all-trades and rapid learning, smaller, earlier-stage companies could be exciting for you. But larger companies might be a better fit if you prefer deep diving into a specialized role. 

Make sure you’re searching for the right role

As a software engineer, there are plenty of opportunities to find roles that suit your skills and interests, especially in frontend, backend, or full-stack development. But, navigating through the job titles and understanding the nuances of different roles can be tricky, and different companies may call similar roles pretty different things. 

That means that mixing up your search terms can reveal a whole new set of opportunities when you're searching for jobs. It's important to recognize the roles that fit your skills, even if they're called something slightly different.

Stay focused on your area of expertise. In a tough market, applying for roles that deviate significantly from your skillset might be tempting but rarely works. Even if you get an interview, succeeding without the relevant expertise can be challenging. Stick to what you know best, and use varied search terms to uncover the roles that align with your skills and experiences.

Let's break it down.

Fullstack Software Engineer Roles 

A fullstack engineer plays a key role in comprehensive software development, managing both frontend and backend components.

 In a project scenario, like creating a collaborative task management application, for example, the fullstack engineer collaborates with design teams for a seamless user interface and works on that development. They also develop backend logic, design databases for efficient data storage, and more. Ensuring scalability, security, and performance, the fullstack engineer integrates external services, conducts end-to-end testing, and implements monitoring systems. Documentation encompasses both frontend and backend aspects, and they have to collaborate with diverse teams to deliver a cohesive and functional application that meets user needs.

If you're comfortable with both front and back-end technologies, look for fullstack engineer titles such as 'Full Stack Developer,' 'Full-Stack Engineer,' 'Software Engineer - Full Stack,' or even more specific titles like 'Rails Engineer.' 

Frontend Software Engineer Roles 

A typical project for a frontend software engineer involves improving the user interface and experience of a software application. 

For instance, they might work on redesigning an e-commerce website to enhance overall user engagement. They’d collaborate with design teams to create prototypes, implement those designs, and ensure responsiveness across various devices. The engineer would also focus on performance optimization, backend integration, accessibility considerations, and thorough testing. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, continuous iteration based on feedback, and documentation are key aspects of delivering a successful and high-quality frontend project.

If that’s your niche, then look for frontend engineer titles like 'React Engineer,' 'UI/UX Engineer,' 'Design Engineer,' 'Product Engineer,' or 'Software Engineer, Front-End.' 

Backend Software Engineer Roles 

A typical project for a backend software engineer involves enhancing the backend infrastructure of a system, like developing a scalable API for a social media platform.

Responsibilities include designing and optimizing databases, developing secure and efficient APIs, and architecting the system for scalability and optimal performance. The engineer addresses security considerations, integrates external services, implements data processing pipelines, and ensures robust logging and monitoring. Testing, both unit and end-to-end, is conducted to identify and resolve issues with thorough documentation of the backend architecture. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including frontend developers and DevOps, is crucial for this role.

If your expertise lies in server-side development, database interactions, and core application logic, then Backend roles are for you. These positions might be labeled as 'Java Engineer,' 'Node.js Engineer,' 'Back End Software Engineer,' or 'Infrastructure Engineer.'' 

Define the level of role you’re ready to apply for

Not all companies label their software engineer job levels the same way. You’ll notice that the job descriptions for different levels can be significantly different from company to company—making the job hunt even harder.

That’s why it’s so important for you to have clarity about the level you’re applying for based on your experience, expertise, and technical ability. Keep in mind that a mid-level engineer at a small company might look different than a mid-level role at a big tech giant. Given the difference in scale and scope of work, a mid-level role at a small startup might equate to a junior position at a tech giant.

Once you've got your target level in mind, start your job search there. You’ll have to keep an open mind about leveling and carefully consider the posted job description to ensure it’s a good fit. 

Remember, different companies, different levels. Here are some general guidelines for leveling that could help determine where you best fit:

Independent Contributor Track

Software Engineering Intern (0y, enrolled in an accredited university): Typically a university student, this role involves learning and contributing under supervision, often with limited responsibility. The focus is on applying academic knowledge in a practical setting.

Software Engineering Apprentice (0y, non-traditional background): An entry-level role for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds (those who didn’t go the typical route and get a CS degree), focusing on intensive learning and skill development, often through mentorship and practical projects.

Software Engineer (New Grad) (0y): A recent university graduate beginning their professional journey; this role involves developing basic software solutions and learning to work in a team environment.

Junior Software Engineer (0.25y-3y): With some experience, this role develops and maintains software with increasing complexity and responsibility. Here is where you’ll begin to specialize in certain technologies or domains.

Associate Software Engineer: Sometimes used as an entry-level designation, similar to Junior Software Engineer, for those just starting their professional career.

Mid-Level Software Engineer (3-6y): A seasoned professional, this role involves leading projects, mentoring juniors, and displaying proficiency in multiple technologies or specialized areas.

Senior Software Engineer (5y+): An experienced engineer, this role includes designing complex systems, making key technical decisions, and contributing significantly to team strategy and mentoring.

Lead Software Engineer: Often a step between Senior and Staff Software Engineer, this role involves leading a team of engineers, owning a significant part of the project or system, and often acting as a bridge between management and technical staff.

Staff Software Engineer (7y+): Advanced professionals with significant experience focusing on strategic technical leadership, cross-team collaboration, and driving major initiatives.

Principal Software Engineer (10y+): Highly experienced, they play a pivotal role in setting technical direction, influencing company-wide strategies, and mentoring across teams.

Distinguished Engineer (15y+): An elite technical leader with extensive experience shaping the company's technological future, mentoring high-level professionals, and often involved in industry-wide contributions.

Management Track

Engineering Manager I (5y+): Often the first leadership role for a technical professional, this position involves managing a small team of engineers, focusing on project delivery, team mentoring, and aligning technical work with business goals. Requires at least five years of experience in the industry, usually including some technical leadership.

Engineering Manager II (5y+): A more advanced management role, overseeing multiple teams or a larger department. Involves deeper strategic planning, larger-scale project oversight, and significant contribution to engineering practices and policies. Also requires 5+ years of experience with proven management skills.

Director of Engineering: Responsible for overseeing several teams or a significant segment of the engineering department. This role includes strategic planning, budget management, and long-term technical vision setting and often involves cross-departmental collaboration.

Senior Director of Engineering: A higher-level position that typically involves overseeing a large portion of the engineering organization, setting strategic direction, influencing company-wide policies, and being accountable for major deliverables. Often includes a focus on cultivating leadership within the teams.

Vice President of Engineering: A senior executive role responsible for the entire engineering organization. Involves company-wide strategy and technical vision, and often includes a significant role in business planning and decision-making at the executive level.

Senior Vice President of Engineering: A more advanced executive role, often involving additional responsibilities like global team oversight, direct involvement in company strategy, and sometimes external-facing duties like partnership development or industry thought leadership.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO): The top technical executive responsible for the company's overall technological direction. This role involves high-level strategic planning, technology innovation and leadership, often including public representation of the company's technology vision and capabilities.

Find out where you’re ready to apply

The nuances of applying for software engineering roles can make it difficult to know where to start. That’s why we created the Technical Interview Readiness Assessment (TIRA). 

With this completely free technical assessment, you can gauge where your technical strengths lie, identify exact skill gaps, find out the types of companies where you’re ready to interview, and get tailored advice on how to improve. 

Take the test and get your benchmark results today.