Software development-related roles

As you explore the realm of cloud computing, you’ll encounter a significant portion of roles that revolve around software development. This step aims to provide more information on these roles and help you discern if software development aligns with your passion, guiding you toward potential career opportunities in this space.

What is meant by software development in this step?

Software development is a term that extends beyond merely writing code. When referring to software development in this context, it includes all activities contributing to software creation. These activities typically include:

• Back-end development: Crafting the code that operates behind the scenes, unseen by users but essential for software functionality.
• Front-end development: Focusing on user interface (UI) development, creating what users interact with directly.
• Designing cloud architectures (solutions architects): architecting cloud solutions on paper, conceptualising designs that align with business objectives.
• Configuring cloud infrastructures: Implementing and configuring cloud architectures to bring them to life.
• Testing software and writing automated tests: Ensuring that software meets specifications and functions as intended.
• Supporting and monitoring deployment (DevOps): Overseeing the deployment of software and its ongoing performance.
• Project management: Orchestrating projects, acting as a bridge between development teams, management, and customers.
• Other activities: Any tasks contributing to software development, be they technical or managerial.

Software includes:

• web applications
• mobile apps
• desktop applications
• services
• algorithms for data analysis
• anything else which requires software to run.

Using the cloud vs building the cloud!

Please note that, especially for software-related jobs, you may be involved in two ways with the cloud. One route is to use the cloud of a specific vendor to develop systems for a client or the company you work for. The second route is to actually work for the cloud vendors themselves, and you will work on building the cloud services that other people use to build solutions for customers.

For example, the first route you may work for a local company, which builds software for clients. While for route two, you may work for AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud to build cloud services and systems.

Which responsibilities do you find more interesting?

When working with the cloud, your responsibilities may include one or more of these activities, and you may work on one or more software types as listed above. For instance:

• Back-end development may involve crafting Python code for a web application.
• Configuring cloud infrastructures may be necessary to deploy back-end code.
• Front-end development entails writing code for user interfaces (UI) in web or mobile applications.
• Full-stack developers manage both front-end and back-end development.
• Solutions architects focus on designing cloud solutions and overseeing development teams.

All these roles share a common thread — they directly contribute to software development. Whether you prefer programming and coding activities or gravitate toward high-level planning and management, there’s a role suited to your inclination within the realm of software development.

What skills are required?

In a software development related job, you will need certain skills.

• A fundamental understanding of cloud computing, its possibilities, breakthroughs, and limitations.
• A general knowledge of a specific cloud platform, the one the organisation is focusing on.
• Programming skills, essential for most roles, with the depth varying based on the specific job.
• The ability to learn quickly and follow trends.
• Strong communication and teamwork capabilities, as you’ll collaborate within a team environment.
• Specific technical skills tied to your role; for instance, back-end engineers require expertise in a programming language, database management, and Linux scripting, while front-end developers require proficiency in technologies like CSS and UI design. These skills vary by position.

How would I use the cloud?

The extent to which you utilise the cloud in your role depends on your specific job functions and responsibilities. Here’s a general guideline:

• Engineers/developers (back-end, front-end, testers) write code and may employ various cloud technologies in the software development process, potentially involving cloud configuration.
• Solutions Architects design cloud infrastructures and select technologies to meet business objectives.
• Project Managers may not work directly with the cloud but require a solid understanding to effectively manage software development projects.

Cloud utilisation in software development can vary significantly across roles and organisations. Therefore, it’s crucial to gain a clear understanding of your job’s expectations and ensure alignment with your passions. This can be achieved by asking specific questions during the interview process.

What is the demand for such roles?

There is a substantial demand for software development-related roles in the job market. If these roles resonate with your interests, we recommend conducting research to identify relevant job opportunities for your future career. 

However, if software-related roles don’t align with your goals, but you lean more towards hardware-related positions, feel free to skip this exercise and proceed to the next step.

Optional: Research 

• Utilise platforms like LinkedIn Jobs, Google Jobs, and Glassdoor to find jobs in software development.
• For each job listing, pay close attention to the expected and desirable skills, and if available, look at the salary ranges. 
• Evaluate whether the job description aligns with your career goals. 
• If you find a role intriguing, compile a list of overlapping skills and prioritise them based on your perceived deficiencies.

Congratulations, you now have a curated list of skills to develop. In the next step you will look at hardware-related roles.