Software Engineer resume skills and keywords
In 7,522 Software Engineer job postings from 2,474 employers analysed on October 23, 2026, the most requested skills are Communication (46 %), Python (45 %), APIs (41 %), AWS (36 %) and Mentoring (33 %). Of the top 40 skills, 34 are hard skills, tools or certifications and 6 are soft skills.
Download the full list as a CSV or check your own resume against a posting with the free keyword scanner.
Top 40 skills in Software Engineer job postings
| Skill | Share of postings | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 46 % | Soft skill |
| Python | 45 % | Tool |
| APIs | 41 % | Hard skill |
| AWS | 36 % | Tool |
| Mentoring | 33 % | Soft skill |
| TypeScript | 32 % | Tool |
| React | 29 % | Tool |
| Collaboration | 28 % | Soft skill |
| CI/CD | 27 % | Tool |
| Code review | 26 % | Hard skill |
| Distributed systems | 25 % | Hard skill |
| Kubernetes | 25 % | Tool |
| Java | 22 % | Tool |
| Software development | 21 % | Hard skill |
| Go | 21 % | Tool |
| Leadership | 21 % | Soft skill |
| PostgreSQL | 20 % | Tool |
| Problem Solving | 20 % | Soft skill |
| LLMs | 19 % | Tool |
| Git | 18 % | Tool |
| Debugging | 17 % | Hard skill |
| GCP | 16 % | Tool |
| Docker | 16 % | Tool |
| Node.js | 15 % | Tool |
| SQL | 14 % | Tool |
| JavaScript | 14 % | Tool |
| Azure | 13 % | Tool |
| C++ | 13 % | Tool |
| System design | 12 % | Hard skill |
| AI Tools | 12 % | Tool |
| Terraform | 12 % | Tool |
| Linux | 12 % | Tool |
| Agile | 11 % | Hard skill |
| Algorithms | 11 % | Hard skill |
| User Experience | 11 % | Hard skill |
| Flexibility | 11 % | Soft skill |
| Cloud infrastructure | 10 % | Hard skill |
| Apache Kafka | 10 % | Tool |
| Data pipelines | 10 % | Hard skill |
| Machine learning | 10 % | Hard skill |
Hard skills vs soft skills vs tools and certifications
Hard skills (12)
- APIs 41 %
- Code review 26 %
- Distributed systems 25 %
- Software development 21 %
- Debugging 17 %
- System design 12 %
- Agile 11 %
- Algorithms 11 %
- User Experience 11 %
- Cloud infrastructure 10 %
- Data pipelines 10 %
- Machine learning 10 %
Soft skills (6)
- Communication 46 %
- Mentoring 33 %
- Collaboration 28 %
- Leadership 21 %
- Problem Solving 20 %
- Flexibility 11 %
Tools and software (22)
- Python 45 %
- AWS 36 %
- TypeScript 32 %
- React 29 %
- CI/CD 27 %
- Kubernetes 25 %
- Java 22 %
- Go 21 %
- PostgreSQL 20 %
- LLMs 19 %
- Git 18 %
- GCP 16 %
- Docker 16 %
- Node.js 15 %
- SQL 14 %
- JavaScript 14 %
- Azure 13 %
- C++ 13 %
- AI Tools 12 %
- Terraform 12 %
- Linux 12 %
- Apache Kafka 10 %
Keyword phrases recruiters use
Multi-word phrases that recur across these software engineer postings, with the share of postings that use each one.
How to use this on your resume
Treat the table as a checklist, not a script. Put the skills you genuinely have in your skills section, using the same wording as the posting, and back the top ones with a bullet that shows the result.
Each job posting differs from the average, so compare your resume with the actual ad: paste it into the resume keyword scanner to see which terms you already have and which are missing. The ATS keywords guide explains where to place them so applicant tracking systems read them.
Skip any skill you cannot talk about in an interview; a keyword that falls apart under one question costs more than it gains. For a full layout with these skills in context, see the Software Engineer resume example. Then prepare for the Software Engineer interview questions that test them.
Build a software engineer resume with these skills
Start in the editor, tailor your bullets to the job you want and download an ATS-friendly resume.