Though I made the decision a while back to pursue a career as a developer, it’s been a long road to getting there. Why? One of my biggest challenges is in figuring out where I fit in the world of software development. Or maybe web development. App development? Game development? Yikes. There’s a lot out there. So, my first step, really, has been to figure out where I should be. And it’s really never been given that I was meant to be a developer; however, I’ve always had my eye on a career that relied on those skills.
For the TL;DR version, you can consult this list of development (or development-adjacent) careers I put together:
- Software developer
- Web developer
- Back-end developer
- Front-end developer
- Full-stack developer
- Game developer
- Big data developer
- CRM developer
- Security developer
- Mobile developer
- Graphics developer
- Middle-tier developer
- Desktop developer
- Embedded developer
- Database developer
- Cloud developer
- SDET developer
- DevOps developer
- Data science developer
- Customization developer
- AI engineer
- No-code developer (or low-code developer)
- Technical writer
- Project manager
- Product manager
- Systems developer
- Blockchain developer
- IoT developer
- High-performance computing developer
- AR/VR developer
- UX/UI developer
- API developer
- E-commerce developer
Whew. That’s a lot.
Development Career Definitions
Software Developer
This is a general term for most of the roles listed on this page. Because I want to define my career goals a bit more, I’m going to get more detailed with my objective.
Web Developer
A web developer works on web-based projects, like websites and web applications. This role can be refined a bit more.
Back-End Developer
A back-end developer is a term that can describe multiple types of developers; for instance, you could be a back-end web developer. This type of developer works on programming server-side logic and integrating their algorithms with a database that resides in the cloud or on the server.
Front-End Developer
Like back-end developer, front-end developer can describe multiple types of developers. This type of developer works on what the end user sees. For instance, a front-end web developer could work on the CSS code for a complex social media website.
Full-Stack Developer
A full-stack developer can develop both on the front end and the back end.
Game Developer
This role is pretty self-explanatory: a game developer uses programming skills and software programs to develop video games.
Big Data Developer
This type of developer works with large sets of data to solve problems for large corporations.
CRM Developer
CRM stands for customer relationship management. These types of systems manage transactions between a business and its customers. They typically include functionality for communication, accounting, marketing, and more. You can check out a recent project I did using Python and Django to see an example.
Security Developer
Security developers create programs that help protect businesses and consumers from security attacks, like malware and viruses.
Mobile Developer
Mobile developers work on websites and applications that are designed to display on smaller screens, like smart phones, iPads, and other handheld devices.
Graphics Developer
Graphics developers typically work in the film or gaming industry, creating visual effects to render images in a certain way.
Middle-Tier Developer
Middle-tier developers program the logic that allows the front end to talk to the back end.
Desktop Developer
Desktop developers work on software applications that run on Windows, Mac, or Linux desktops rather than on web or mobile platforms.
Embedded Developer
Embedded developers work with hardware that’s not necessarily categorized as a computer (like the one you’re using right now), such as micro-controllers and consumer devices.
Database Developer
Database developers set-up and integrate databases into other software systems or applications.
Cloud Developer
Cloud developers create architecture for cloud-based systems and manage security and access for those systems through cloud platforms, such as AWS and Microsoft Azure.
SDET Developer
As an SDET developer, you would code software that tested the quality of a software system.
DevOps Developer
DevOps engineers/developers are also involved in deploying and monitoring systems after they’ve been created, programmed, and tested.
Data Science Developer
Data science developers work with statistical analysis, machine learning, and predictive modeling of large data sets.
Customization Developer
Within this type of role, you will find many different developers that focus on creating custom solutions for specific SaaS platforms. One example of this type of developer is a WordPress developer who either creates custom themes or plugins.
AI Engineer
AI engineers create AI-based solutions to problems. One example of such a solution is Grammarly, which suggests improvements for documents and manuscripts.
No-Code Developer
A no-code developer builds applications with very little knowledge of coding, as the process involves quite a bit of dragging and dropping functionality on a web platform (Bubble, Appian, etc.). You might also hear this type of development role labeled as low-code development.
Technical Writer
Technical writers create a variety of technical documentation, including user guides, training manuals, software tutorials, and white papers. In-demand technical writers typically write about software, so it is helpful to have a development background for this role.
Project Manager
Development project managers carry out a variety of tasks that ensures their development project is on track for a specific timeline. In this role, it’s helpful to understand the development process and the types of developers you’ll be working with on the project.
Product Manager
Product managers manage a project during its entire life cycle, from concept to marketing.
Systems Developer
This type of developer is involved with programming operating systems, such as Linux, Windows, and Max OS. Because of the scope of each individual system, it’s likely one developer would be responsible for a very small piece of the whole.
Blockchain Developer
Blockchain developers work on decentralized applications that use the blockchain technology. Developers in this role typically work with cryptocurrency, smart contracts, and other financial algorithms.
IoT Developer
IoT stands for the following: the Internet of Things. Developers who work with this technology typically work on everyday appliances with advanced technology that integrates with other devices. Examples of this technology: refrigerators, washers and dryers, ovens, security cameras, and consumer medical devices.
High-Performance Computing Developer
High-performance computing developers work on making algorithms more efficient to run on supercomputers. This type of development role will typically work with scientific, financial, or big data solutions.
AR/VR Developer
This type of developer creates immersive applications that uses augmented and virtual reality technologies.
UX/UI Developer
A UX/UI developer is a front-end developer who works on the user interface for an application.
API Developer
API stands for application programming interface, and that’s exactly what an API developer does. They create the back-end functionality for interfaces that communicate with other algorithms/programs/applications. As an example, the New York Times has an API you can connect to for free that provides bestseller data for various types of books. (Check out the YouTube video below to see their API in action on a project I developed during a Python internship I had in 2023.)
E-Commerce Developer
An e-commerce developer creates and works on online shopping platforms. Amazon, Target, eBay, and Etsy are all examples of online shopping platforms a developer of this type might work on professionally.
Editing the Large List of Development Careers
With such an expansive list of options, I wanted to edit it down to a much more manageable size so it would be easier to decide what I felt I was more suited for. In doing so, I came up with this shorter list of career options:
- Back-end web developer. I like web development because I worked in web for many years, and it was a dream job for me—until the lack of movement in my career left me miserable with my job. Web is also easy to access and offers cross-platform compatibility.
- CRM developer. I’ve worked on a couple of projects that dealt with CRM functionality, and I love seeing how all those components fit together toward one goal.
- Database developer. Working with databases has been one of my top desires for a while because I love the creativity involved in designing and setting up databases for applications.
- Technical writer. I’ve loved writing for a long time, and it would make me happy to find a career that let me combine both my writing and technical side.
- API developer. I don’t consider myself that great of a designer, so I do enjoy things that don’t require working with the user interface. Additionally, I’ve built a couple of APIs, and I had fun building them.
Before I make the final decision, however, I know I need to do some more exploration to feel confident in my choice. Over the next month, I’ll be doing some exploration to ensure I make a well-informed choice.
References
Flexiple. (n.d.). 25 types of software developers. https://flexiple.com/developers/types-of-software-developers.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2024). 11 types of developers (plus tips for becoming one). Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/types-of-developers.
Merzlova, K. (2023). 18 types of software developers roles explained. SumatoSoft. https://sumatosoft.com/blog/different-types-of-software-developers-roles-explained.
Urwin, M. (2024). 30 Internet of Things examples to know in 2025. Built In. https://builtin.com/articles/iot-examples.
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