Function Engineering

Job Family Software Development Engineer

Job Family Summary Responsible for the design and development activities associated with software using a range of applicable technologies (e.g., programming
languages, compilers, assemblers, debuggers, other tools) for products used in local, networked or Internet-related computer programs.
Analyzes requirements and develops innovative, useful software. Modifies existing software products to add new functions, adapt to new
hardware, improve performance or enhance product usability. Participates in product development in all stages from planning and design to
development and testing. Completes documentation and procedures for installation and maintenance. Assists training with production of
formal training material for sales/marketing.
Principal  Leads or participates in the software development lifecycle, which includes research, new development, modification, security, correction
of errors, reuse, re-engineering and maintenance of software products.
Accountabilities  Manages or utilizes software that is built and implemented as a product, using best-in-class development process/lifecycle management
(ex: Agile, Waterfall).
 Gathers business requirements and participates in product definition and feature prioritization, including customer usability studies.
Performs competitive analysis for features at a product level scope.
 Leads the testing and fixing of new or enhanced products.
 Creates technical documentation of software products/solutions. Assists with the development and review of end user and technical end
user documentation.
 Drives idea generation for new software products, or for the next version of an existing product.
 Protects Intellectual property by working appropriate legal elements (ex: procurement, patents, opensource).
 Responsible for the delivery of products within budget, schedule and quality guidelines.
 Works with the team to develop, maintain, and communicate current development schedules, timelines and development status.
 Makes changes to system software to correct errors in the original implementation and creates extensions to existing programs to add new
features or performance improvements.
 Designs and develops major functional or performance enhancements for existing products, or produces new software products or tools.
 Reviews requirements, specifications and designs to assure product quality; develops and implements plans and tests for product quality
or performance assurance.

Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
Job Code SDE50x SDE60x SDE70x SDE80x SDE90x SDEA0x
Job Title Software Development Software Development Software Development Staff Software Development Sr. Software Development Software Development Sr.
Associate Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Principal Engineer Principal Engineer
Knowledge  Knowledge of basic  Understands and applies  Expanding knowledge of  In-depth disciplinary  Organizational expert  Serves as a technical
CAREER LEVEL CRITERIA

 Technical principles, methods, principles, concepts, theories, related disciplinary areas. knowledge; leverages business within defined subject area. authority within the
technologies and practices of technologies and standards of  Broad knowledge within acumen and subject matter  Integrates deep subject organization and with
 Professional a professional/technical field. professional field. expertise. customers.
own specialty discipline. matter expertise with:
 Business Acumen - Apply a basic  Develops and applies - Deep specialized - Provides deep subject - Industry experience. - Manages projects or
understanding of the specialized knowledge within knowledge in specific matter expertise, advice and - In-depth knowledge of customer relationships
underlying principles of a own discipline. aspects of discipline. program delivery. professional standards of critical importance.
professional discipline - - Deepens knowledge - Enhances own - Contributes to the and trends within area of - May be industry-wide
typically obtained through through exposure to new knowledge through development of new expertise. authority.
formal study. assignments and understanding business techniques and plans within - Relevant related  Develops
 General knowledge of continuous learning. trends and objectives. area of expertise. disciplines. advanced/leading-edge
procedures and activities  Knowledge of related - Understands and foresees  In-depth understanding of Dell - Business goals and technologies and/or
within own work area. industry considerations. implications of decisions. goals, customer requirements strategy. concepts.
- Ability to relate actual  Knowledge of industry and and knowledge of competitor  Understands impact of  Creatively and strategically
 Good working knowledge
day-to-day work to business principles. practices. emerging business trends supports key business
and demonstrated ability
business priorities. utilizing systems, tools and - Understands the core  Thorough understanding of and their implications for objectives.
 Focused on learning the key procedures to accomplish business process and Dell business priorities, Dell and its customers. - Develops innovative

1
Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
Job Code SDE50x SDE60x SDE70x SDE80x SDE90x SDEA0x
Job Title Software Development Software Development Software Development Staff Software Development Sr. Software Development Software Development Sr.
Associate Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Principal Engineer Principal Engineer
aspects and duties of the job job. purpose of the functional strategy and direction. solutions, systems and
being performed.  Builds deeper understanding area.  Thorough understanding and products to support Dell
of processes, procedures, - Places issues in context management of customer objectives.
customers and organization. of organizational and business needs and  Builds external alliances
functional objectives. expectations. with customers and
 Assists program or process
development and  In-depth customer  Manages projects and industry experts to gain
implementation. knowledge to provide program execution. and share information and
appropriate solutions. industry trends.
 Coordinates activities and
processes.  Develops and applies
project management
techniques.
Problem Solving  Applies research,  Applies research,  Applies analytical skills to  Works on abstract and  Develops complex solutions  Solves problems without
 Judgment information gathering and information gathering and evaluate and interpret complex problems requiring to business problems or precedent.
analytical skills. analytical and interpretation complex situations/ evaluation of intangible customer engagements  Applies thought leadership.
 Complexity - Selects appropriate skills to problems of diverse problems using multiple variables. through in-depth analysis,
 Ingenuity alternatives from defined scope. sources of information. - Integrates trends, data and coordination and
- Shapes long-term
strategic direction and
options. - Develops solutions to a - Qualitative information information into plans, negotiation with key reputation of Dell.
- Collects required variety of problems of - Quantitative research deliverables and decision makers. - Develops integrated
documentation; verifies moderate complexity. - Trend data recommendations. - Uses experience, business solutions
conformance of - Screens, categorizes,  Presents problem analysis  Develops innovative and innovation and judgment across business units.
documents with standards. evaluates, reconciles, and recommended solutions creative output based on to make decisions that - Uncovers strategic
- Assesses accuracy of reports and resolves data in a creative and logical interpretation and analysis that may be based on partial issues from a
detailed information. integrity issues. manner. improve business performance information. scientific/technical
- Tracks, maintains and  Interprets generally defined - Forecasts, models, and and contribute to corporate - Considers Dell-wide perspective.
produces regular and ad practices and methods. goals and strategic intent. implications of decisions
utilizes advanced  Creates products and/or
hoc reports. - Recognizes and acts on analytical tools. - Opportunity/risk analyses and recommendations.
solutions that enhance
 Handles detailed, structured inconsistencies in data or - Creates new procedures - Cost/benefit analyses  Adapts and integrates own Dell’s ability to deliver
problems. results and escalates and processes to drive - Pricing models experience with Dell-wide services to clients.
- Identifies roadblocks to unusual problems. desired results. strategy.
task completion and
 Anticipates operational,
- Analyzes and forecasts
 Ensures products and
 Identifies issues beyond  Handles diverse range of program, and implementation services are aligned with
effectively brings them to stated situation. issues that require issues and develops business and market
current and future needs
management for evaluation of a variety of preventative measures. trends.
 Works on assignments where and expectations.
resolution.
- Generally uses existing
considerable judgment and factors including current  Adapts projects, programs or  Develops innovative
initiative are required in business trends. methods based on customer or solutions to problems
procedures to resolve - Develops skills to without precedent.
resolving problems and business partner feedback.
standard problems. analyze ambiguous - Invents new products and
making choices,
 Works on assignments where recommendations, or problems. processes to achieve
judgment is required a decisions.  Identifies opportunities for strategic business
majority of the time. objectives.
 Regularly exercises process and procedure
discretion and independent enhancements to drive  Decisions are strategic in
judgment on business efficiency and customer nature, have long-term
matters. service levels. consequence, and tend to
relate to business strategy,
 Involved with local or financial performance and
business specific engagement
effective resource
initiatives in support of
utilization.
broader programs.
Guidance  Works under general  Works under general  Works with minimal  Work is guided by business  Guided by business plans  Guided by brand and
 Direction direction, seeks assistance as direction. direction. plans for the discipline. and strategy. functional strategy.
needed.  Work is guided by objectives  Work is guided by  Models organizational and
 Planning - Completes work in
- Actively participates in
setting area objectives to
- Executes goals and
strategy within area of
of the area or assignment. operational and project industry standards for
 Independence accordance with accepted - Refers to established objectives. meet plans. responsibility. innovation.
 Initiative practices within field. policies and precedents as - Manages multiple - Escalates matters of - Contributes to strategic  Directs projects of critical

2
Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
Job Code SDE50x SDE60x SDE70x SDE80x SDE90x SDEA0x
Job Title Software Development Software Development Software Development Staff Software Development Sr. Software Development Software Development Sr.
Associate Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Principal Engineer Principal Engineer
- Establishes approaches for needed. assignments and business risk. decisions affecting the importance to Dell.
completing assignments. - Applies discretion and processes. - Influences others through discipline. - Breaks new ground;
 Independently gathers independent judgment to - Independently their professional/technical  Initiates new or revised changes and shapes the
information. identify when deviation determines approach to expertise. departmental procedures, industry.
- Adjusts to multiple from standard practice is project.  Manages critical projects, programs and initiatives.  Analyzes long-term impact
required without prior - Anticipates and prevents customer engagements or
demands and shifting  Assesses and determines of new or anticipated
priorities; accepts approval. potential problems. business processes. strategies.
priorities within area of
responsibility for results - May set project  Independently develops - Guides completion of major expertise.
of actions. timeframes and priorities solutions that are thorough, projects or customer
based on project  Structures and implements
 Works with team to support practical, and consistent engagements.
objectives and ongoing changes within the context
achievement of project with functional or customer  Allocates work and mentors
assignments. of established strategy.
milestones and deliver on objectives. others.
 Assumes responsibility to - Plans implementation of
internal and/or external  May be responsible for major change efforts.
commitments. improve service, efficiency specific programs,
and quality of work. customers and/or projects.  Leads large scale, global
 When assigned to a customer
team, supports small project  When assigned to a customer  May provide technical
programs that contribute to
the corporation’s success.
teams or specific components team, actively participates on guidance or influence the
of a customer engagement. small to medium sized work of others.
project teams in support of
customer deliverables.
 Updates management on
project/activity status.
Relationships  Contributes to own  Contributes to area by  Contributes to area by  Contributes to the area  Contributes to business  Contributes to Dell
 Sphere of team/closely related teams ensuring quality of output. ensuring quality of through delivery of end results results through quality of business and functional
Influence through quality and accuracy - Contributes to the tasks/services provided by and contribution to planning results, advice and strategy.
of own output. self and others. for the area. decisions.
 Communication completion of milestones - Impacts Dell results,
- Understands how work associated with specific  Extends capabilities by  Provides thought leadership, - Develops standards image or operational
area performance impacts projects or activities working closely with senior guidance and advice in own around which others will effectiveness.
results. within own area. staff/experts within and field. operate.  Provides influence and
 Builds productive internal  Establishes working outside the internal  Works across the organization - Designs and develops authoritative advice at the
relationships. relationships with others organization. to effectively obtain and global processes, systems most senior levels.
- Collaborates with others outside area of expertise.  Provides process and policy allocate resources to complete and/or applications. 1. Reaches out to support
to achieve objectives and  Applies knowledge and advice. programs and projects on - Contributes to Dell and collaborate with
ensure information flow. time. thought leadership. other business functions.
understanding of customer - Explains assumptions
 Conveys information in a needs and other and methodologies.  Adapts communication  Influences a broad spectrum 2. Provides consultation,
concise and professional internal/external contacts. - Articulates pros and cons techniques for audiences at of stakeholders toward influence decisions, and
manner. of an action in a clear multiple internal and external achieving business goals. identify and resolve
manner. levels. - Builds consensus. critical issues.
 Asks effective questions and
- Simplifies difficult - Presents facts and - Ensures understanding of  Represents area of
solicits feedback to
concepts for non- information to negotiate technical matters by non- professional and/or
understand needs.
technical users. mutually acceptable technical, executive technical expertise for Dell
 Anticipates future needs
based on past transactions.  Regularly interacts with solutions. decision makers. externally.
colleagues or customers - Delegates clearly and  Develops mutually
generally up to senior level comfortably. beneficial strategic alliances
management.  Cultivates, develops and with customers.
manages strong, lasting  Advises and councils key
customer relationships at leadership on the latest
senior management level. principles, practices, and/or
 May manage vendor technologies and their
relationships. practical application.

3
 Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
Job Code SDE50x SDE60x SDE70x SDE80x SDE90x SDEA0x
Job Title Software Development Software Development Software Development Staff Software Development Sr. Software Development Software Development Sr.
Associate Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Principal Engineer Principal Engineer
Job Duty  Participates in analysis of  Participates in the  Contributes to the design  Contributes to the design and  Leads the design and  Understands and
Differentiators software requirements and preparation, review and and architecture of new or architecture of high-quality, architecture of high-quality, communicates industry
specifications. analysis of software re-engineered software. complex systems and complex systems and trends, and drives the
 Participates in the creation of requirements and  Prepares written software software. software. corporate strategic
technical and/or user specifications. specifications for complex  Prepares, reviews and  Prepares, reviews and direction for software and
documentation, as needed.  Prepares written products from architectural analyzes software analyzes software systems.
 Develops, tests and specifications from verbal diagrams and documents. specifications for products and specifications for complex  Provides strategic direction
integrates code for new or requirements for tasks of  Develops and reviews systems. products and systems. to the planning, design and
existing software. mid-level complexity. design, functional, technical  Contributes to the  Leads the review and architecture of high-
 Provides sustaining or  Prepares design, functional, and/or user documentation, development, review, analysis analysis of design, quality, complex systems
technical and/or user as needed. and implementation of test functional, technical and and software.
maintenance support to
existing software. documentation, as needed.  Develops, reviews, analyzes strategies for complex user documentation.  Reviews and conducts
 Follows source code revision  Uses defined software and implements test software products and  Leads the development, analysis of test strategies
lifecycle methodologies. strategies for software systems. review, analysis and for software products and
control.
 products and systems.  Contributes to the implementation of test systems.
 Clearly communicates Reviews and implements test
 Reviews and analyzes
project issues and status. strategies for software  Develops, tests and development, test and strategies for software
products. integrates code for new or integration of code for new or products and systems. design, functional,
 Provides constructive and existing software of  technical and user
responsive customer service  Follows source code and file existing software of
significant complexity
Leads the development, test
documentation.
revision control for projects. significant complexity. and integration of code for
to business partners.
 Provides sustaining or
involving multiple teams. new or existing software of  Writes technical papers
 
JOB LEVEL CRITERIA

Accurately logs project Clearly communicates

maintenance support to  Provides the review, analysis significant complexity (e.g., white papers) that
schedule, defects, and other project issues and status.
existing software, either by and closed-loop corrective involving multiple teams. clearly articulate industry
data into the appropriate  Accurately logs project implementation or action for issues contributing  Leads the review, analysis and company trends in
databases. schedule, defect, and other to software defects and technology and solutions,
providing guidance to less and closed-loop corrective
data. Analyzes and prepares business process problems. at either a summary or
senior engineers. action for issues
trend reports on quality
 Designs and implements  Designs and implements contributing to software detailed level.
metrics. Participates in
source code revision control software lifecycle and quality defects and business process  Leads the definition,
improving product quality
methods for products. assurance methods for problems. collection and analysis of
through process and
procedure improvements.  Prepares accurate project
projects and products.  Designs and implements quality metrics appropriate
status documentation for  Presents accurate project software lifecycle and to products and processes,
status to senior leadership, at quality assurance methods especially with respect to
leadership. issue contributing to
both a summary and detailed for projects and products.
 Measures and analyzes product defects and
quality metrics. Defines and
level.  Defines, measures, analyzes business process problems.
 Prepares technical documents and improves corporate and
implements actions for
used internally and externally departmental quality  Provides accurate resource,
departmental or cross- schedule, and cost sizing
functional process to provide both summary and metrics.
for cross-functional
improvements. detailed technical information  Drives the implementation software development and
other teams require to
 Contributes to resource, complete projects and tasks.
of Closed Loop Corrective deployment projects of
schedule and cost sizing for Action systems for projects
significant complexity.
and processes that span
software development
multiple departments.  Implements cross-
projects of medium
functional, process design
complexity.  Leads the deployment of
improvements and re-
projects and products of engineering efforts to
significant size and
reduce and prevent
complexity. recurrent and anticipated
 Provides accurate resource, defects and problems.
schedule and cost sizing for
 Leads cross-functional re-
software development and
engineering efforts that
deployment projects of
result in significant cost
medium complexity. and cycle time savings.

4
Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
Job Code SDE50x SDE60x SDE70x SDE80x SDE90x SDEA0x
Job Title Software Development Software Development Software Development Staff Software Development Sr. Software Development Software Development Sr.
Associate Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Principal Engineer Principal Engineer
 Leads the cross-functional
implementation,
integration and deployment
of projects and products of
significant size and
complexity.
 Provides outstanding
leadership in relationships.
with external suppliers.

Job Scope  Entry level understanding of  Basic level understanding of  Mastering programming  Expert level understanding of  Expert in software  Expert in software
Differentiators programming languages. programming languages, languages, understanding programming languages, technologies influencing technologies influencing
 Entry level understanding of understanding patterns. patterns. influencing choice of lines of business. industry or lines of
software architecture.  Basic understanding of  Understanding and patterns.  Broad and in depth business.
 Ability to learn new software architecture. implementation of software  Awareness and knowledge of whole  Broad and in depth
technologies/processes.  Ability to learn new architecture. implementation ability for software architecture and knowledge of whole
 Entry level understanding of technologies/processes.  Basic understanding of new best practices within software, applications, proactively software architecture and
some product architecture. root cause problems and applications, proactively
software partners and  Basic Level Evaluation and technologies / processes,
products. analysis of software partners limited implementation  Understands new finds solutions and best root cause problems and
abilities. technologies/processes and practices. finds solutions and best
and products.
 Evaluation, analysis and production uses, implements  Clarifies existing solutions practices, and influence
them within teams. and products for customers, lines of business on
providing input on
product decisions.
statement of work for  Implements strategy, with solve situations for
software partners and some influencing of customers.  Understands new
products. leadership level.  Understands new technologies/processes and
production uses,
 Evaluation, analysis and technologies/processes and
implements them within
creating statements of work production uses,
implements them within teams and across
for small scale software businesses.
partners and products. teams and across functions.
 Architecting software  Handles major escalations
products, influencing on key customer accounts,
product lines, specifications, proactively finds solutions,
features. initiates design and
development, leverages
 Influences and monitors cross-functional teams to
implementation of solution provide solutions.
and product strategy, with
some influencing and mgmt  Architecting new
and Executive levels. generation software
products and solutions,
 Working cross-functionally influencing product lines,
to align requirements within specifications, features.
organization for software
partners solutions and  Influences and evangelizes
products. solution and product
strategy to Sr. Executives
and industry.
 Represents Dell in industry
standard forums and for

5
Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
Job Code SDE50x SDE60x SDE70x SDE80x SDE90x SDEA0x
Job Title Software Development Software Development Software Development Staff Software Development Sr. Software Development Software Development Sr.
Associate Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Principal Engineer Principal Engineer
media engagements.
 Working and influencing
cross-functionally to align
requirements from within
organizations for software
partners, complex
solutions and products.
Experience  4-6 years of relevant  6-8 years of relevant  8-10 years of relevant  10+ years of relevant  10+ years of relevant  10+ years of relevant
 Functional experience or equivalent experience or equivalent experience or equivalent experience or equivalent experience or equivalent experience or equivalent
combination of education combination of education combination of education combination of education and combination of education combination of education
 Leadership and work experience. and work experience. and work experience. work experience. and work experience. and work experience.
Skills  Basic knowledge of  Good knowledge of  Solid knowledge of  Strong knowledge of  Advanced knowledge of  Versed in use of the
 Technical programming languages; programming languages; programming languages; programming languages; programming languages; appropriate editor,
operating systems; firmware; operating systems; firmware; operating systems; operating systems; firmware; operating systems; compiler, assembler,
 Functional BIOS; device drivers; BIOS; device drivers; firmware; BIOS; device BIOS; device drivers; firmware; BIOS; device debugger, etc. for whatever
 Leadership databases; system, network, databases; system, network, drivers; databases; system, databases; system, network, drivers; databases; system, programming language is
operating system, and operating system, and network, operating system, operating system, and network, operating system, expected to be used
application administration; application administration; and application application administration; and application (assembly, C, C++, Java,
embedded embedded administration; embedded embedded software/firmware; administration; embedded etc.).
software/firmware; tools and software/firmware; tools and software/firmware; tools tools and utilities. software/firmware; tools  Versed in the concept, use
utilities, as applicable. utilities, as applicable. and utilities.  Able to code/debug and guide and utilities. of and selection of revision
 Able to code/debug simple  Able to code/debug  Able to code/debug more others to code/debug flexible,  Responsible for the control software.
programs using either written moderately complex complex programs using scalable and complex successful implementation,  Understanding of software
or verbal design programs using either written either written or verbal programs, using either written delivery, integration and engineering processes and
specifications. or verbal design design specifications. or verbal design deployment of high-quality methodologies.
 Basic understanding of specifications.  Able to achieve mastery of specifications. software into systems and
 Capable of designing the
hardware and software  Good understanding of new tools and languages  Experience with multiple business processes.
core architecture which
interactions. hardware and software with training and on-the-job programming languages,  Experience with multiple other programmer’s will
interactions. experience. databases, operating systems, programming languages, design around.
 Able to understand and tools and hardware platforms. databases, operating
 Able to apply Software
follow software lifecycle Able to achieve mastery of systems, tools and hardware
Lifecycle and Quality
methods. new tools, languages and platforms. Able to easily
Assurance methodologies
operating systems with some achieve mastery of new
 Understands tradeoffs training and on-the-job tools, languages and in a cost-effective manner,
between hardware and to bring high-quality
experience. operating systems.
software interactions. products to market on
 Familiarity with several  Able to code and effectively
 Able to learn new operating Software Lifecycle and guide others to code flexible
time.
systems with training and Quality Assurance and scalable programs that  Understanding of
on-the-job experience. . methodologies. Able to meet complex requirements. appropriate technologies,
vendor products and
define and document how a Able to constructively coach
specific Software Lifecycle less-senior engineers. competitor's offerings.
Ability to analyze options
and Quality Assurance  In-depth knowledge of for critical design elements
method will be used for multiple Software Lifecycle
specific projects. and features, and
and Quality Assurance determines optimum
 Able to participate and add methodologies. Able to selection.
value in all phases of software apply multiple Software
development: feasibility, Lifecycle and Quality
design, implementation, Assurance methods
integration, test and delivery. appropriately.
 Experience with, and able to
provide leadership in all
phases of software
development: feasibility,

6
 Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
Job Code SDE50x SDE60x SDE70x SDE80x SDE90x SDEA0x
Job Title Software Development Software Development Software Development Staff Software Development Sr. Software Development Software Development Sr.
Associate Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Principal Engineer Principal Engineer
design, implementation,
integration, test and
delivery.
 In-depth knowledge of test
strategies for a variety of
different software products.
Competencies      

Frontline or  Non-Frontline.  Non-Frontline.  Non-Frontline.  Non-Frontline.  Non-Frontline.  Non-Frontline.

Non-Frontline
In order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist. Leader approval, time in current position, or ability to
perform at the level does not guarantee a promotion. Requirements build as one progresses.

Career Level IE IF IG IH II IJ
USA FLSA  Exempt  Exempt  Exempt  Exempt  Exempt  Exempt
LOCAL MARKET

Designation
CRITERIA

Overtime Eligible  No  No  No  No  No  No
Education  Undergraduate degree and  Undergraduate degree and 2-  Undergraduate degree and  Undergraduate degree and 6-8  Undergraduate degree and  Undergraduate degree and
0-2 years relevant 4 years relevant experience 4-6 years relevant years relevant experience or 8-10 years relevant 10+ years relevant
experience. or Graduate degree and 0-2 experience or Graduate Graduate degree and 4-6 years experience or Graduate experience or Graduate
years relevant experience. degree and 2-4 years relevant experience. degree and 6-8 years degree and 8+ years
relevant experience. relevant experience. relevant experience.