9 Software Engineering Projects

Software engineers use computer science, engineering, and programming skills to work on many innovations and projects that make everyday tasks easier, more accessible, and safer. Whether it’s a learning platform for remote degree programmes, a new computer game, or fingerprint identification to secure a smartphone, a software engineer is involved. 

This article explores many projects you can do independently to enhance your portfolio and appeal to prospective employers. Try one or try them all. 

Software engineering projects for all levels 

You can build applications to add to your portfolio with the proper equipment. Some projects will be easier than others. You can choose which projects to do based on your skill level and the job you are applying for or plan to apply for. You can also use your portfolio to apply to undergraduate school.

Each project will show your knowledge and skills in software development and programming languages. The possibilities are endless, and the following projects can trigger ideas for other projects. Whether you try these or create your own, you’ll improve and demonstrate your skills.

1. Weather forecasting

Society depends on accurate weather forecasts for safety, and preparation is crucial when predicting severe weather. You can develop an application to predict the weather at certain locations and add variables such as humidity level and wind speed. You can also add historical weather statistics for comparisons and to give users interesting weather facts. 

2. Credit card fraud detection

Credit card fraud is prevalent in all parts of the world, including India, some of it intricately devised.  Engineering an application to detect fraud will make a nice addition to your portfolio, especially if you’re seeking a job in the retail or banking sector. 

You can develop an app that stores the transaction information for each user and tracks spending patterns so any deviations send an alert. You can design the system to automatically lock if potential fraud is detected or there have been too many account sign-in attempts. 

3. Scientific calculator 

A scientific calculator is a tool that educational institutions, engineers, and anyone who needs to figure out complex math calculations can use. This is a beginner-level project, but it will likely impress prospective employers because it involves setting up addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, square roots, percentages, and other mathematical symbols needed for complex formulas. You can twist the design by adding features not typically found in a scientific calculator, such as problem examples or voice activation, to tell the user if they’ve made an error. 

4. To-do list

Building a to-do list is a beginner project that can be completed with minimal requirements. You can scale up to give it more features, such as colour and font options. Although it’s a relatively easy project, it does show your Java programming skills. 

5. Parking space locator

This application is an intermediate-level project that can solve the problem of finding a parking place. By incorporating GPS software, you can develop an app to scan for a parking space based on the user's location. The application can search for the nearest parking spot in a multi-level parking facility, car park, or street. 

6. Message compiling 

Many users of multiple applications would likely enjoy the convenience of receiving all their messages in one place. You can design an application to do just that. A project that compiles messages from various sources, such as email, social media, and texting, can make an impressive portfolio addition. You can also design the application to compile messages from multiple email addresses if a user has more than one account.

7. Exercise tracker 

An exercise tracker will make a nice addition to your portfolio and show programming skills, as it’s a more complex project. You can choose from many options to include in an exercise tracking application, from step counting to the number of bicycle pedalling rotations. If you want to show more complex skills, add a goal-setting calendar. 

8. Portfolio website 

You will need a website to showcase your portfolio, and others will need it, too. Why not build a website that allows users to post their portfolios so they have a link to share with prospective clients and employees? Hosting a portfolio website will showcase in-depth software skills and provide a needed service that could generate an income for you. Since website oversight and maintenance can be time-consuming, you can do a mock-up website to add to your portfolio and showcase your skills. 

9. AI shopping 

A project that will help users save time is an artificial intelligence shopping application. Users can type in what they’re looking for, and the app will search for matching items or services. You can design the app so it searches for prices from lowest to highest or vice versa, colour, size, shipping cost, and product location. For example, if a user wants to find a product within a 25-kilometre range, they can add the information. 

The app can base search results on the user’s previous buying history, and you can add an area where users can input favourites such as styles, colours, stores, and hobbies. The AI shopper can use the data to return relevant products from multiple sources, and the user can make selections based on the recommendations. Creating this application will showcase intermediate-level skills.

Next steps

Include several projects in your portfolio to show you’re skilled in more than one area of software engineering. If you need to improve any of your skills or want to learn new ones, the following courses on Coursera are a good place to start.

For beginner-level engineers, IBM’s Introduction to Software Engineering course teaches basic computer literacy as part of a five-course programme. If you are interested in learning programming, the Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialisation offered by Duke University can help you gain the skills needed for an entry-level role in five months, and it’s completely online. 

If you have an upcoming interview, Mastering the Software Engineering Interview, offered by the University of California San Diego, can be completed in approximately 21 hours. As with all learning programmes on Coursera, it’s offered entirely online, so you can work at your own pace if you need more time.