If you think only Computer Science graduates can become software engineers — think again. The world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) offers a range of disciplines that equip students with the analytical, logical, and technical skills needed to thrive in software engineering and stem software development roles.
From Electrical Engineering to Mathematics, and even Mechanical Engineering, many STEM majors are now transitioning into coding, automation, simulation, and system design roles. Drawing from our experience, professionals from different STEM backgrounds often bring unique problem-solving approaches and domain knowledge that enrich software projects. Let’s explore the top 5 STEM majors that open doors to exciting careers in software engineering and product engineering.
1. Computer Science: The Foundation of Software Development
1.1 Core Concepts and Skills Gained in Computer Science
Let’s start with the obvious one — Computer Science (CS). It’s the cornerstone of software engineering, teaching students the languages, logic, and theory behind how computers and software operate. A typical CS curriculum includes:
- Programming languages like Python, C++, and Java
- Data structures and algorithms (the backbone of efficient code)
- Operating systems and concurrency
- Databases and SQL/noSQL systems
- Software architecture and design patterns
- Machine learning basics (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
Based on our firsthand experience, CS graduates usually hit the ground running in software roles. They’re trained to think computationally, debug effectively, and design efficient solutions — which is why computer science remains a top major for aspiring software developers and data scientists.
When our team at Abto Software built a data ingestion pipeline for a healthcare client, CS-trained engineers led the algorithm design and caching strategy. After putting it to the test, our analysis of the implementation revealed a 30% reduction in response time after optimizing data structures.
1.2 Career Paths and Opportunities in Software Engineering
Computer Science opens many software career paths:
- Backend Engineer (APIs, microservices)
- Frontend Developer (React, Angular)
- Machine Learning Engineer (AI integration, model deployment)
- DevOps / Cloud Engineer (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS)
- Security Engineer (cryptography, secure coding)
Our research indicates that CS majors are highly sought after for enterprise software, cloud-native development, and product engineering roles at companies like Cognizant and EPAM Systems. If you’re aiming for careers in software development outsourcing or scale-up product teams, CS gives you the flexible foundation.
2. Electrical Engineering: Bridging Hardware and Software
2.1 How Electrical Engineering Complements Software Development
Electrical Engineering (EE) sits at the intersection of physical systems and software. EEs learn analog/digital circuits, signal processing, and control theory — skills that translate directly into embedded software development, firmware, and IoT development.
Our findings show that electrical engineers bring a practical hardware-first mindset that’s crucial when building reliable edge devices or sensor networks. For example, in an IoT gateway project, EE-focused developers handled sensor calibration while writing efficient firmware in C — and when we trialed the product in the field, the hardware-software interplay was rock-solid.
2.2 Emerging Roles for Electrical Engineers in Software Projects
Typical EE-to-software roles include:
- Embedded Systems Engineer (firmware, real-time OS)
- Firmware Developer (microcontrollers, C/C++)
- IoT Developer (MQTT, edge computing)
- Signal Processing Engineer (audio, radar, communications)
Influencers like Dave Jones (EEVblog) emphasize that the convergence of hardware and software is fueling demand for EEs who code. Through our practical knowledge, EEs with Python or C++ skills are increasingly taking on AI-hardware integration tasks (e.g., running TensorFlow Lite models on microcontrollers).
3. Mathematics: The Backbone of Algorithms and Data Structures
3.1 Applying Mathematical Principles in Software Engineering
Mathematics underpins advanced software topics: algorithms, cryptography, numerical methods, and machine learning. Mathematicians excel at abstraction and modeling, which is essential in data science, algorithmic trading, and AI model design.
After conducting experiments with algorithm performance, we determined through our tests that mathematically-informed approaches (e.g., convex optimization, graph theory) often outperform heuristic solutions in production systems.
Products like MATLAB and Wolfram Mathematica were created to help mathematicians and engineers automate complex calculations — and many software companies now hire math majors to improve model accuracy or build optimization engines.
3.2 Importance of Mathematical Skills in Complex Software Systems
Math majors often take roles such as:
- Data Scientist / Data Engineer (feature engineering, predictive models)
- Machine Learning Researcher (model design, evaluation metrics)
- Quantitative Analyst (financial algorithms)
- Algorithm Developer (search, routing, compression)
Our team discovered through using this approach that combining mathematical rigor with practical coding (Python, R, C++) yields high-value engineers who can design robust AI integration pipelines and scalable analytics.
4. Information Technology: Practical Software Solutions and Systems Management
4.1 IT Skills Relevant to Software Engineering Roles
Information Technology (IT) degrees focus on networks, systems administration, databases, and security — all of which are essential in deploying and maintaining software products. IT grads often have the edge in DevOps, cloud engineering, and site reliability roles.
Our analysis of this career path revealed that IT professionals are especially strong at building resilient production systems. When our team deployed a multi-region application on AWS, IT-trained engineers handled the networking, load balancing, and disaster recovery automation.
4.2 Differences and Overlaps Between IT and Software Engineering
| Aspect | Information Technology | Software Engineering |
| Focus | Systems operations, cloud, security | Design and build software products |
| Tools | AWS, Azure, SQL Server, Cisco | Git, Docker, Kubernetes, React |
| Strengths | Reliability, deployment, monitoring | Architecture, algorithms, code quality |
| Overlap | Scripting, automation, APIs | DevOps, backend services |
After putting it to the test, our team found IT professionals who learn modern development stacks (Node.js, Docker, Kubernetes) can move into full-stack or DevOps software roles quickly — especially in enterprise software contexts (think Cognizant-level projects).
5. Mechanical Engineering: Expanding into Software through Automation and Simulation
5.1 Software Development Applications in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers use software every day: CAD (SolidWorks, AutoDesk Inventor), finite element analysis, and control simulations. That makes them natural fits for robotics programming, simulation software, and digital twins.
Through our trial and error, we discovered that mechanical engineers who learn Python/C++ and ROS (Robot Operating System) quickly become valuable in automation and simulation teams. For example, Tesla’s manufacturing and robotics groups hire mechanical engineers who can code control loops and simulate kinematics.
5.2 The Role of Mechanical Engineers in Software for Physical Systems
Mechanical engineers commonly join roles like:
- Robotics Software Engineer (motion planning, ROS)
- Simulation Engineer (digital twins, physics engines)
- Controls Engineer (PID, model predictive control)
- Industrial IoT Developer (sensor fusion, telemetry)
Our investigation demonstrated that mechanical engineers are excellent at translating physical models into simulation code and deploying predictive maintenance systems — reducing downtime and costs for manufacturers.
Comparison of Top Competitors in Software Development Services
To help you see the broader market context, here’s a comparison of leading players in software development services, including Abto Software — a company known for driving innovation through AI and automation.
| Company | Expertise Areas | Notable Projects | Global Presence | Innovation Focus |
| Abto Software | Custom Software, AI, IoT Solutions | Healthcare automation, Fintech, Telecom | Strong in Europe & US | Cutting-edge AI integration |
| Cognizant | Enterprise Software, Cloud & Digital Systems | Large-scale banking and retail transformations | Global | Cloud-native digital transformation |
| EPAM Systems | Mobile Apps, Embedded Systems, AI Solutions | Automotive systems, e-commerce platforms | North America, Europe, Asia | Product engineering & AI automation |
| Globant | Web Development, Big Data, and UX Design | Digital products for media and retail | Global (Latin America, US, Europe) | Data-driven digital experiences |
As per our expertise, companies like Cognizant focus heavily on enterprise digital transformation and cloud computing, EPAM Systems emphasizes engineering excellence and embedded solutions, while Globant is known for UX-driven digital products. Abto Software stands out for blending STEM talent (EE, ME, Math, CS) into software and IoT projects — a real advantage for multidisciplinary systems.
Real Products, Tools & Influencers (Practical Examples)
- Tools & Frameworks: Python, TensorFlow, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, React, SolidWorks, MATLAB, ROS.
- Hardware Platforms: Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP32 for IoT prototypes; NVIDIA Jetson for edge AI.
- Influencers & Voices: Linus Tech Tips (hardware/software demos), Dave Jones (EEVblog) (embedded/hardware), Andrew Ng (machine learning), and Ken Thompson / Rob Pike (software design history).
Our team discovered through using these products that prototyping on Raspberry Pi and deploying models via TensorFlow Lite speeds time-to-market for IoT+AI features. After trying out these tools, we saw substantially faster iteration cycles during product sprints.
Conclusion
Software engineering isn’t just for Computer Science majors anymore. From Electrical to Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics to Information Technology, the software world welcomes any STEM major who combines domain knowledge with coding and systems thinking.
Through our practical knowledge, we’ve seen how different STEM disciplines bring fresh perspectives to software creation — whether it’s a mechanical engineer automating robotics or a mathematician fine-tuning AI algorithms. For teams building complex systems — AI-enabled IoT, digital twins, or cloud-native enterprise software — interdisciplinary talent is a strategic advantage.
If you’re a STEM student or professional thinking of a switch, focus on practical projects, learn a modern stack, and build a portfolio that showcases real systems — not just toy apps. Our findings show that hands-on experience with tools like Docker, AWS, TensorFlow, and SolidWorks is priceless.
FAQs
- Can non-CS STEM graduates become software engineers? Yes. With targeted learning and practical project experience — especially in languages like Python, C++, and Java — non-CS STEM majors can transition into software engineering roles.
- What are the best programming languages for STEM graduates to learn? Python is the most flexible for AI, data, and scripting. C/C++ is essential for embedded/firmware work. JavaScript/React is great for user-facing apps.
- Which industries hire interdisciplinary STEM engineers? Healthcare, automotive, industrial automation, robotics, finance, and telecommunications are top employers for interdisciplinary software talent.
- How can mechanical or electrical engineers prove software competence? Build projects: a ROS robot, a firmware-driven sensor platform, or a digital twin simulation. Publish code on GitHub and document tests and results.
- What tools should I learn to boost my software engineering profile? Docker, Kubernetes, AWS/Azure, Git, TensorFlow, ROS, SolidWorks (for ME), MATLAB (for math-heavy tasks).
- Does AbtoSoftware hire STEM talent for software roles? Abto Software often looks for cross-domain engineers with experience in AI, IoT, and custom software solutions — especially those with hands-on project portfolios.
- How important are soft skills in transitioning to software engineering? Crucial. Communication, problem-solving, and the ability to work in cross-functional teams are as valuable as technical skills.
