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Computer Software Engineering Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Follow disciplined, professional software engineering and project management processes to ensure ... S. degree in Computer Science or related discipline. Preferred Experience * Strong background in ...

Follow disciplined, professional software engineering and project management processes to ensure ... S. degree in Computer Science or related discipline. Preferred Experience * Strong background in ...

Senior Software Engineer

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$122K - $161K/yr

Required : • Bachelor's degree in Computer science, Software Engineering, or Computer Engineering with minimum years 4 years of experience. • Experience in Linux software packaging and ...

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Computer Software Engineering information

See Wisconsin salary details

$64.1K

$148.9K

$207.4K

How much do computer software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for computer software engineering in Wisconsin is $148,903.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,100.00 and $174,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges computer software engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

Computer software engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as coordinating with cross-functional teams, managing complex codebases, and ensuring consistent documentation. Navigating these challenges requires strong communication skills, effective use of version control systems, and familiarity with agile methodologies. Additionally, engineers must balance meeting project deadlines with maintaining code quality and adapting to evolving requirements, making time management and adaptability crucial skills in this role.

What does a computer software engineer do?

A computer software engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications and systems. They use programming languages like Java, C++, or Python and often collaborate with teams to create efficient, reliable software solutions for various industries.

What is the difference between Computer Software Engineering vs Computer Software Development?

AspectComputer Software EngineeringComputer Software Development
CredentialsBachelor's in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; certifications like Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)Bachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related; certifications less common
Work EnvironmentDesigning, analyzing, and managing software projects; often involved in system architectureWriting, testing, and debugging code; focused on creating software applications
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by tech companies, consulting firms, and large organizations for complex projectsCommon across startups, tech firms, and software companies for product development

While both roles involve software creation, Computer Software Engineering emphasizes designing and managing software systems, whereas Computer Software Development focuses on coding and implementing software solutions. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are computer software engineering jobs?

Computer software engineering jobs involve designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications and systems. These roles typically require programming skills in languages like Java, C++, or Python, and often involve collaboration within development teams using tools such as version control systems. Professionals in this field may work in various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and more, often requiring a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Software engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, primarily through senior roles, specialized skills, or working at large tech companies and startups with equity options. High compensation often requires extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or performance bonuses.

What is computer software engineering?

Computer software engineering is a branch of engineering focused on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications and systems. Software engineers use programming languages, engineering principles, and problem-solving skills to create software that meets user needs. They often work on everything from mobile apps to large-scale enterprise systems, collaborating with other engineers, designers, and stakeholders. The field requires continuous learning due to rapidly evolving technologies and methodologies.

What kind of jobs can a software engineer do?

A software engineer can work in roles such as application developer, systems engineer, embedded systems engineer, or quality assurance engineer. They design, develop, test, and maintain software across various industries, often using programming languages like Java, Python, or C++, and may work in teams or independently depending on the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Computer Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Computer Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a solid foundation in computer science, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with development tools, integrated development environments (IDEs), version control systems like Git, and sometimes certifications in specific languages or frameworks are important. Excellent teamwork, communication, and adaptability help engineers collaborate effectively and respond to evolving project needs. These skills ensure the successful design, implementation, and maintenance of reliable, efficient software solutions.
What job categories do people searching Computer Software Engineering jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Computer Software Engineering jobs in Wisconsin are:
Infographic showing various Computer Software Engineering job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $148,903 per year, or $71.6 per hour.
Director, Software Engineering (Madison)

Director, Software Engineering (Madison)

Cengage Group

Madison, WI • On-site

$138K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Director of Software Engineering – Cengage

We believe in the power and joy of learning. At Cengage, we help students around the world discover the power of learning. As a Director of Software Engineering, you will lead innovative products and shape AI-driven engineering teams.

Responsibilities
  • Work with multiple leaders, including the Digital leadership team and business partners, to craft a convincing technical strategy and roadmap(s) to achieve business unit goals.
  • Collaborate across functions to align on priorities for scaling and building our products globally.
  • Identify scalable products and deliver them to support our global customer base, incorporating new technologies and industry trends.
  • Partner with multi-functional leaders, through POM, to standardize and improve development, testing, and release processes, ensuring timely delivery of quality products.
  • Drive product and technology strategy reviews with Product Leaders and senior collaborators, leading strategic technological discussions.
  • Lead high-performing engineering teams, developing a pipeline of high-caliber talent and encouraging leaders to achieve priorities.
  • Cultivate a high-performance, transparent environment passionate about accountability and results.
  • Reinvent and optimize the SDLC using modern frameworks, principles, automation, and generative AI.
  • Champion a culture of continuous learning and professional development, offering team members opportunities to grow.
Skills you will need
  • 5+ years of leadership experience in developing technology strategies and driving innovation.
  • 10+ years of progressive software development experience.
  • Experience leading a global workforce of employees and contractors across different time zones.
  • Expertise in AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, CloudFormation), cloud-native development (Kubernetes, Docker, microservices), and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, AWS CDK).
  • Solid understanding of AI concepts, technologies and methods, including machine learning, language, reasoning & multimodal models, prompt & context engineering, developing and using skills & agent frameworks, RAG, and vector databases.
  • Hands‑on experience integrating or experimenting with commercial and open‑source GenAI technologies and toolkits (e.g., coding assistants, OpenAI, Hugging Face, LangChain).
  • Strong experience in modernizing monolithic architectures, implementing hybrid cloud strategies, and crafting APIs to bridge legacy systems with cloud‑native platforms.
  • Proven ability to compose and build scalable, secure, high‑availability enterprise systems using CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
  • Skilled in agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) and customer‑centric product models to drive iterative development and rapid time‑to‑market.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field, or equivalent combination of education and recent, relevant work experience.
Compensation

Base salary range: $138,200.00 – $180,000.00 USD. You will also be eligible for the company’s discretionary incentive bonus program, with a target of 25% of base salary. Note that the bonus is not guaranteed and is dependent on performance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cengage is committed to working with broad talent pools to attract and hire strong and the most qualified individuals. Our job applicants are considered regardless of any classification protected by applicable federal, state, provincial or local laws.

Accommodations

Cengage is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities during our application process. If you are an applicant with a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations.ta@cengage.com.

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