A customer hires a consulting software engineer to work with a software development team to develop a specific computer program or application. This person is in charge of both the customer and the software development team. He or she is responsible for supervising the team and ensuring that the job is completed correctly and on time. In addition, the engineer must maintain contact with the client in order to provide status updates and respond to any requests for changes. To stay current in the field of computer engineering, an engineer must also perform programming work and independently update his or her education.
A consulting software engineer is brought in to work with a computer design team to ensure the process runs smoothly when a company needs a computer program but does not have the capability to produce it in-house — for example, a grocery store in need of new inventory software. The consulting engineer first determines what the client requires in software and then supervises the design team to ensure that the client’s requirements are met. The engineer keeps track of deadlines, budgets, reviews software to ensure it meets expectations, and sets team goals.
A consulting software engineer’s other important responsibility is to serve as a liaison between the software developers and the client. It is the consultant’s responsibility to inform the client about the project’s status in plain language so that non-computer specialists can understand it. If the client requests changes, it is the consultant’s responsibility to determine whether those changes are possible and to issue new orders to the software team. Because the software engineer receives input from both sides of the operation, excellent communication skills are essential.
This job necessitates the use of computer programming skills as well. A consulting software engineer must have a strong understanding of programming and frequently write code if a problem arises that the design team is unable to solve. An engineer also tests software to ensure that it is working properly and informs the design team of any bugs or defects.
Another important aspect of this job is staying current with technology and programming techniques. A consulting software engineer must continue his or her education attending classes and seminars. Keeping up with the latest trends, issues, and strategies ensures that the client receives the best software for their specific needs.