How to become a software engineer or designer
Official title: Software engineers and designers
Also called: Cloud engineer, Backend engineer, Software designer, Software engineer, Software architect, Lead software engineer, Software design engineer, Software project manager, Cloud operations engineer, Site reliability engineer, Software engineering lead, Software systems designer
Software engineers and designers research, design, evaluate, integrate and maintain software applications, technical environments, operating systems, embedded software, information warehouses and telecommunications software. They are employed in information technology consulting firms, information technology research and development firms, and information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Collect and document users' requirements and develop logical and physical specifications
- Research, evaluate and synthesize technical information to design, develop and test computer-based systems including mobile applications
- Develop data, process and network models to optimize architecture and to evaluate the performance and reliability of designs
- Plan, design and coordinate the development, installation, integration and operation of computer-based systems including mobile applications
- Assess, test, troubleshoot, document, upgrade and develop maintenance procedures for operating systems, communications environments and applications software
- May lead and coordinate teams of information systems professionals in the development of software and integrated information systems, process control software and other embedded software control systems
How to become one
A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering or mathematics or Completion of a college program in computer science is usually required. A master's or doctoral degree in a related discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering, and passing a professional practice examination. Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
Ways in
- University: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $110,156 a year The middle half earn $85,313 to $140,634.
- About 113,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 140,500 are projected by 2033. (+24.2%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Computer systems developers and programmers
- Software developers and programmers
- Web designers
- Web developers and programmers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a software engineer or designer?
A bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering or mathematics or Completion of a college program in computer science is usually required. A master's or doctoral degree in a related discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering, and passing a professional practice examination. Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
How much does a software engineer or designer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $110,156 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $85,313 to $140,634.
Is a software engineer or designer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 24% by 2033, from about 113,100 to about 140,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a software engineer or designer?
Usually. 83% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03