A system development job involves designing, implementing, and maintaining software and IT systems that support organizational operations[1].
Typical responsibilities include:
- Conducting system testing and troubleshooting to ensure reliability and performance[1].
- Providing technical assistance to clients and employees[1].
- Creating, reviewing, and testing code to meet project goals and requirements[1].
- Developing and managing data models, dataflows, and API specifications[1].
- Ensuring effective backup and disaster recovery procedures for company databases[1].
- Collaborating with stakeholders (such as clients, product managers, and business analysts) to determine needs and design solutions[2].
- Managing software deployments, upgrades, and maintenance programs to minimize business disruption[2].
- Identifying and fixing software bugs, and producing detailed operation manuals and testing records[1].
- Maintaining up-to-date software according to technological advances, legislation, and company standards[1].
- Providing training and documentation for end users and staff[1].
- Establishing and enforcing policies for cyber security and data integrity[2].
- Managing incident responses and root cause analysis for system failures[2].
- Directing or mentoring junior staff and collaborating with other IT professionals[2].
Required qualifications and skills typically include:
- A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software development, computer engineering, IT, or a related field[1].
- Proficiency in programming languages (such as C++, Java, or SQL) and relevant frameworks (e.g., Spring, Hibernate)[2].
- Strong knowledge of systems architecture and ability to interpret technical requirements[2].
- Experience in software design, configuration management, and statistical analysis[3].
- Problem-solving abilities and troubleshooting expertise[1].
- Familiarity with project management principles for handling the software lifecycle from concept to deployment[3].
- Certifications or ongoing professional training are highly valued[1].
Some roles may focus specifically on backend systems development, involving the creation of applications or components “hidden” from users but vital to business operations. System developers often work standard business hours but may need to accommodate deadlines or critical deployments outside regular hours[4].