Types of job roles in the Technology, Software and IT sectors

Considering a career in IT, Software or Technology, or just want to know what the roles are like in the sector? The technology industry offers a pretty broad range of roles, all catering to different interests, specialisms and skill sets.

In this article, we've outlined some of the main role types and job titles you can expect to see in Tech to give you an idea of what kind of job might suit your specific skills and values.

In a Product Manager role, you’re the one who develops a product from its conception to a sellable item. It involves working with different departments to make a product and bring it to market. Examples of tech products are apps, websites, platforms or games.

Product development may involve the modification of an existing product or its presentation or the formulation of an entirely new product that satisfies a newly defined customer want or market niche.

To excel in this field, you'll need technical know-how combined with astute commercial awareness and business instincts. You'll need to translate the vision of the leadership and management teams into technical solutions, so you'll need to be both consultative and inquisitive. 

Data scientists use analytical skills to organise and refine huge quantities of data. In this role, you build software or computer-based models to help you analyse the data then read the data and report on it. Sometimes, you’ll also make recommendations on your findings.

Day to day, you'll be responsible for all aspects of IT infrastructure, application and operation – either in an in-house role in one business or on behalf of a number of clients. You'll oversee all facets of IT infrastructure, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. In this role, you'll benefit from a strategic approach and proactive updating, monitoring and troubleshooting of IT systems.

You'll use a combination of database design, programming and system architecture skills to develop systems for companies and clients. You'll be logical, analytical and technically creative. 

You'll work on the technical design, functional processes and implementation of a system – from business analysis systems to ones that focus on audit. This role exists across a range of industries and sectors, so your options will be broad for how you want to apply your skills.

Sometimes known as network support, this role is all about maintaining and ensuring the smooth operation of communication and computer networks. That means you'll need to quickly identify any technical issues and resolve them to prevent any service disruptions.

IT support is a business's department that helps users experiencing technical issues. Also known as help desk support, you'll solve faults and problems as they occur and advise clients to maximise the use of software features. 

As an IT support technician, you could work within a company, helping your colleagues. Alternatively, you could work in customer support, dealing with products and troubleshooting customers’ problems.

In this kind of role, you'll have responsibility for writing and testing individual programmes that can shape a company's given strategy and future growth. You might find yourself working at a large established corporate or a fast-growing, technology-focused, entrepreneurial business. 

Programmers aren't just needed for Banks and Technology Systems – they're are a key part of the Marketing & Creative Industries, and you could find yourself working in many different verticals.

As a software engineer, you take a brief from a manager or a client and produce software. If you’ve got great coding skills and creativity, you’ve got a good chance of thriving in the role.

You'll design, research and develop computer software and software systems for clients. You'll become an expert tester and part of your role will be to debug existing software systems and make constant improvements. Focus and an eye for detail are essential for excelling in this type of role. 

If you’re a software tester, you take software that an engineer has built and test it. In this role, you look for any bugs for the engineer to fix before the software is released to users. Your job is to try to break the software to make it stronger overall.

As an interface designer, you design the parts of a website or app that a customer sees. Your work is highly creative and requires you to understand how the website or app works. That way, you’ll make great designs that are practical but still meet your client or employer’s visual expectations.

The name given to those who design and produce websites. This role combines technical expertise with graphic design. You could work in-house at a company or within an agency working for an array of different clients. You'll work closely with CEOs, Project and Product Managers and Senior Marketers to create platforms, products and marketing campaigns that can drive a company forward. 

In a role like this, your priority is to install and maintain communication networks in organisations. You work to provide maximum performance and network availability for your key clients or stakeholders. This involves collaborating with IT teams and any vendors to ensure that all network infrastructure meets the required standards and fits the needs of the business.

As a database administrator, your primary responsibility is the design and operational management of both new and existing databases, ensuring they are efficient, secure, and scalable to meet the evolving needs of the organisation you're working for. You're responsible for the design and operational management of new databases and the maintenance of existing ones.