Always dreamt of becoming a Backend Engineer or Developer? Not sure what it takes or where to start?
In this series, SheCanCode takes a look at what qualifications and skills are needed for roles across the tech industry. We will also look at earning potential and the prospect of career growth as a software engineer, as well as pointing you in the right direction of companies and open job roles.
What is a Backend Engineer?
An Engineer (sometimes referred to as a Backend Developer) is someone who works on and is responsible for the server side of development. They are responsible for writing the web services and APIs used by Frontend Developers.
Qualifications
To work in Backend Engineering, you will typically need a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in computer science or something similar.
Engineers will also need a grasp of at least one, if not more, programming languages, such as Python, Java, SQL and Git.
If you need to brush up on your programming skills, you can explore these free courses below:
Become an Expert in Git & GitHub – Udemy
Skills
Backend Engineers will need a strong knowledge of server applications and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). They will also have an understanding of database management and administration tools, such as MySQL.
Alongside the above mentioned technical and programming skills, engineers will also need soft skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.
Earning potential and career growth
The average salary for a Backend Engineer in the UK is around £64,000 – but this can vary vastly from company to company and their location.
From an Entry-Level or Junior role, you can move into a Senior Engineer, Lead Engineers and Technical Architect. If you expand your skills into Frontend programming languages, then you could also look at Frontend Engineer roles or Mobile Development.
Ready to become a Backend Engineer? Discover roles at companies who value diversity:
Latest backend engineer jobs on SheCanCode’s job board.
