Software Engineer Jobs

The generalist role. Solve problems across the stack at fast-moving startups.

What is a Software Engineer?

Software engineer is a general term covering any development work. At startups, software engineers often work across areas as needed—frontend, backend, infrastructure, or data. Flexibility and problem-solving matter more than specialization.

Salary Ranges

  • $70k - $105k
    Junior (0-2 years)
  • $105k - $160k
    Mid-Level (2-5 years)
  • $160k - $250k
    Senior (5+ years)

Typical Responsibilities

  • Build features across the product
  • Debug and fix issues anywhere in the stack
  • Participate in code reviews
  • Contribute to technical decisions
  • Collaborate with product and design
  • On-call and incident response

Required Skills

  • At least one programming language
  • Data structures & algorithms
  • Git version control
  • Basic web development
  • Problem-solving ability
  • Communication skills

Nice to Have

  • Multiple programming languages
  • Cloud platforms
  • System design basics
  • Testing practices
  • Agile methodologies
  • Open source contributions

Career Path

  • Entry
    Junior Software Engineer (0-2 years)
  • Mid
    Software Engineer (2-5 years)
  • Senior
    Senior Software Engineer (5-8 years)
  • Staff
    Staff Engineer (8+ years)
  • Principal
    Principal Engineer (10+ years)

Interview Tips

Practice Coding Problems

Most software engineer interviews include coding challenges. LeetCode easy/medium problems cover the majority of what you'll see.

Know Your Projects

Be ready to discuss any project on your resume in depth: challenges, decisions, trade-offs, and what you learned.

Ask Good Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, product, and engineering culture. Shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate fit.

Communicate Your Thinking

Talk through your approach during technical problems. Interviewers want to see how you think, not just the final answer.

Profile Tips for Software Engineers

  • Showcase your best projects
  • Explain the problems you solved
  • Show variety in technologies
  • Include any open source work
  • Add a video introducing yourself

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between software engineer and developer?

Practically none at most companies. 'Engineer' is more common at tech companies and startups. Some argue 'engineer' implies more computer science fundamentals, but the terms are used interchangeably.

Do I need a CS degree to be a software engineer?

No. Many successful software engineers are self-taught, bootcamp graduates, or from other fields. What matters is your skills, projects, and ability to learn. Startups especially care more about ability than credentials.

How much algorithms do I need to know?

Enough to pass interviews at companies you want to work at. For most startups, basic data structures and common patterns suffice. Practice LeetCode easy/medium problems and you'll be prepared for most startup interviews.

Should I specialize or stay general?

Early in your career, stay general—it gives you options and breadth. As you gain experience, you'll naturally develop specialties based on interest and opportunity. Let it happen organically.