O*NET-SOC 15-1252.00 · US REFERENCE
Software Developers
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.
RolePaths has an editorial skills guide for this career. No score here is a job-loss probability or a prediction.
Examples of work in this occupation
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
O*NET task statements describe US work; do not perform regulated or hazardous tasks without appropriate training and authorization.
Skills to examine first
Software craft
Build a small tool with error handling and three meaningful tests.
Critical judgment
Compare two explanations and document what evidence would change your mind.
AI collaboration
Test an AI-assisted workflow against a manual baseline; record errors and verification steps.
Project delivery
Break a small project into milestones, dependencies and acceptance checks.
Clear communication
Rewrite a technical decision for a non-specialist in 150 words.
Responsible decisions
Map who could be harmed by a decision and define an escalation route.
These prompts are RolePaths practice suggestions, not O*NET instructions, training or certification.
Related work to compare
O*NET marks these occupations as related. That is a comparison starting point, not a guaranteed career transition. Check local licensing and entry requirements.
Your next seven days
- Choose one skill above and a fictional or non-confidential work example.
- Practise for 20 minutes on three days; keep one small output.
- Ask a qualified peer for feedback against clear criteria.
- Reassess the same career and record what changed.
Source and limits
Occupation definition, task examples, skill importance and related-occupation links come from the US O*NET 31.0 Database. RolePaths selected the top six skills by importance and authored the practice prompts. Career fit, local salaries, automation timing and licensing have not been verified.