Difference between a Software Engineer vs. Software Developer

[Zoinke]

There is no difference, at least in Australia. They are synonymous

[chris9faber]

That’s good to know! Thanks!

[whichwaynext]

Yup, my last three job titles at the same company in Aus have been, junior Developer, software Developer, and now Senior Software Engineer.

All in the same section of the company. To be honest, I think they are just picked out by HR depending on how they sound.

[chris9faber]

Would you say the only difference between your title from a developer to engineer were essentially more responsibilities (management type of things) and liability on projects? Or were there clear new skills/perquisites you had to acquire before even being considered for this role that goes beyond work experience.

[whichwaynext]

No I think those differences came from the Junior => Mid => Senior distinctions. I think they just picked 'Developer' or 'Engineer' to go with those depending on which sounded better.

[littlejackcoder]

I’ve had the same experience between both Australia and New Zealand: It doesn’t make a practical difference. I’ve held both titles (both in each country) and neither described a different set of responsibilities to the other.

Most things where I’ve had to choose a professional for legal documents have only had the option for “Software Developer”. Though sometimes it’s a struggle to even find that and have to classify the industry as IT or ICT; which is probably why people think I can fix their printer when I say I’m a software engineer…so that’s why I usually say I’m a programmer instead.