6 of the best entry-level jobs for junior software developers

The tech industry is constantly evolving and expanding, and software development is one area that is considered fairly lucrative, even at junior levels. If you’re considering getting into software engineering, there are plenty of entry-level roles to consider!

As a junior, when you first start out you’ll find the roles focus mainly on troubleshooting, fixing bugs, learning the codebase, basic coding and assisting the wider development team. While experience isn’t always necessary, you would be expected to have a working knowledge of popular languages such as PHP, Python and/or Java, as well as front-end and back-end tools such as Node.js or SQL databases, and a basic understanding of industry standards such as Agile systems.

Starting in a junior software developer role is a fantastic way to set the foundations to begin your career. It gives you the opportunity to learn from senior developers, helps you gain hands-on experience with a professional team and allows you to build on your skill set.

Take a look at some of the best entry level jobs for junior software developers.

1. Junior Developer

Junior-level developers are often interchangeable with trainee-level developers due to their basic knowledge of the subject matter. The main difference between the two is that junior-level developers have a degree of work experience under their belts and have learned from their trainee phase. Junior-level developers are the sort of employees that come and go, seeking more fulfilling and advanced positions as they gain more and more experience. As a result, they are often hired on a contract basis rather than a full-time one.

Junior-level developers are entry-level employees still gaining work experience or building on their knowledge gained through traineeships or university. Due to the transit nature, this employment is usually contractually rather than full-time. Developers at this level tend to move between companies regularly, seeking more or different experiences and higher salaries.

Employers seek out junior-level developers as they are found to be incredibly motivated and passionate about the job. Being in the early stages of the career means they are usually put within a team or closely observed as the learning curve can be high, which mitigates mistakes. However, there is an expectation that those in the position have a comprehensive skill set.

This comprises being able to navigate and operate integrated development environments (IDE), have a firm grasp on the relevant application programming interfaces (API), be able to apply coding languages and environments to frameworks, and have a working knowledge of database development, including design and retrieval and to have an understanding of programming languages with an expectation on knowing both front-end and back-end development (the whole stack).

There are advantages to being in a junior-level developer position. It allows you to learn and further your skills within a working environment, and the expectations of the employers reflect this. You will be advancing up the company ladder by refining your skills and displaying an ability to undertake projects efficiently through the relevant tools.

2. Test Developer

The role of the test developer is related to bugs and performance. It is their job to initiate tests on new or current features; in some cases, if a bug is found, they are expected to develop a solution. The expectation of a test developer during a working day is to establish test conditions, create automation checks and report on the functioning of the products.

This role will further your skills in test script creation and troubleshooting techniques and gain experience in various debugging tools such as Jenkins or Reflect. This role is perfect for someone who has fantastic attention to detail, is an avid problem solver and likes to work with the intimate components of a system.

Test Developer is an excellent role for someone who enjoys working with the nitty-gritty elements of a system. You’ll need a good understanding of troubleshooting techniques, test script creation, and some experience with debugging/testing tools like Jenkins or Reflect. The Test Developer role is a great way to get experience applicable in both feature development and support roles.

3. QA Tester

Quality Assurance or QA Testers are like test developers in that they gauge progress through the generation, running, and analysis of product feature tests. However, the difference lies in their focus on the final step. They ensure all features in the final stage of development match the expectations brought forward in the original design.

Testing the product before it reaches users is an essential process stage. Someone in this role needs to have knowledge of automation and writing tests and test scripts using tools such as Jenkins, Reflect, and Git, fantastic analytical skills, and avid attention to detail.

This role is a tremendous door-opening opportunity within companies for those who want to concentrate on implementing tests and documenting the results from it.

4. Junior Web Designer

Acting as an apprentice for the senior designers, Junior web designers are responsible for template assets and the handling of formatting tasks. They are responsible for several functions, including creating the more minor elements of a site, testing various UI styles, and contributing to the presentation of mock-ups. Once you have proved your capability, you will be given more independence and opportunity. You will need to know about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and many adobe creative programs, including Photoshop and Illustrator. Experience in reactive design and front-end framework size is a bonus to potential employers. This role, given the title, is very design-focused, so it is fantastic for those who are artistically inclined that enjoy working in the UX and UI area of web development.

5. Junior Mobile Developer

Junior Mobile Developing may be the role for those who are versatile and adaptable when issues come their way. Those on the job assist their team in developing mobile applications across all devices. They are full-stack developers responsible for learning the codebase, writing the basic features of an app, problem-solving bugs as needed and contributing to design tasks and meetings.

Familiarity with UI/UX design, front-end and back-end tools, API integration and understanding mobile apps’ behaviour and their development tools like Swift or Kotlin are just some of the skills you are expected to have in this role. This is an excellent job for those who enjoy working on a complete product in front-end and back-end development.

6. Junior Solutions Architect

As an intermediary between the development and executive teams, Junior Solutions Architects assist senior Solutions Architects in interpreting abstract aims into actionable phases and monitoring their progress. You translate the business’s goals into a recognisable language for the technical team developing the solution.

Having a diagnosis ability and the skills to help build solutions is vital. Foundations in programming language and tool and progress tracking software like JIRA, as well as being up to date with consumer and developer trends, is essential.

Becoming a Junior Solutions Architect is a fantastic role for those with a natural inclination for leadership and business communication, in addition to expertise in the technical skills needed. This position can lead the way for leadership, including Product Manager and Technical Product Manager.

How to get into the software developer field

Having a clear plan at every stage of your career is critical. It is great to know what opportunities are available so that you can prepare and stay on track while avoiding burnout. Not sure how to make the first step? Get in touch with one of our course advisors today to ask about our full-time and part-time Software Engineering programs.