Statista reports that, in 2020, software-as-a-service (SaaS) spending topped $103 billion. In the 10 years that have passed since EZnet Services, Inc. first launched EZnet Scheduler® (cloud-based SaaS appointment scheduler), we’ve seen SaaS go from an obscure software delivery method to the new standard. As a result, we’ve put together this tutorial: 16 jobs in SaaS.
1. CTO (Chief Technical Officer)
The CTO is the heart and soul of the SaaS company’s engineering team. The CTO manages everything that revolves around the software and ensures that the product works properly. The most technical of the positions presented here, the CTO has to understand how the SaaS product works, how the SaaS developer’s infrastructure is built, and who comprises the engineering team (as well as each team member’s skill sets). CTOs are responsible not only for the building of the SaaS product, but also for expanding it, fixing errors and bugs, and preparing for future releases and updates.
One critical aspect of the CTO role is team management. To be a CTO, you must have organizational, problem solving and leadership abilities. Soft skills and profound insights into how software developers work are additional “musts” for anyone hoping to rise to the level of CTO.
2. Software Engineer
Software engineers are in demand worldwide, as more industries continue to rely heavily on technology. As a result, they earn an impressive salary and have strong job prospects.
Software engineers create and test the software sold by SaaS companies. Broadly speaking, a software engineering team will consist of software developers that code the product and a quality assurance staff that finds and report bugs.
These developers use programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python to create software applications. They work on both the user interface and the back end, which refers to what the user sees, and the mechanics that make a program work, respectively.
More often than not, software engineers must work with other developers, clients, and stakeholders to fulfill a design need for their product.
3. Embedded Systems Engineer
Embedded systems engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining embedded systems. Embedded systems are combinations of hardware and software that are designed to perform specific tasks. For example, an embedded systems engineer may work on the software which powers ATMs or the program which controls a robot.
4. Cloud Engineer
Public cloud infrastructure spending is expected to reach $173 billion by 2026, with up to $55 billion alone for SaaS and PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service). More and more IT companies are now also providing cloud services, and they offer vast career opportunities for cloud engineers. And, as more and more companies are moving toward cloud computing and SaaS, they need highly-skilled engineers to manage their use of the cloud, including application development, resource allocation and maintenance, and effective use of the features offered by the industry’s primary cloud services—Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
Cloud engineers assess an organization’s technology infrastructure and explore options for moving to the cloud. If the organization elects to move to the cloud, the cloud engineer is responsible for overseeing the process, referred to as migration, and maintaining the new system.
Along with these technical skills, cloud engineering requires managerial skills. Engineers are often called upon to negotiate with vendors, coordinate with other IT team members, and communicate with senior leadership about the progress of a cloud migration project.
The basic requirements for this position include work experience and a degree in a related field, typically a bachelor’s degree in management information systems or computer science.
5. Cloud Architect
The cloud architect is focused primarily on assembling the cloud infrastructure. In a cloud environment, there are numerous computing, networking, and security services, all of which need to be properly configured.
Configuration serves two key roles:
- To ensure that the right users have access to the right services (depending on their role within the organization).
- To ensure that the company doesn’t incur unexpected or unnecessary charges.
6. Cloud Administrator
The cloud administrator role is similar to the traditional system administrator function that manages an organization’s on-premise hardware and software, but with an emphasis on cloud-based services. Primary responsibilities include developing and implementing policies for the use of cloud services, managing requests for new technology, establishing a secure cloud environment, and ensuring appropriate availability of services, also known as uptime.
7. Solution Architect
Although similar in nature to the software engineer, the solution architect is more focused on customizing the product to the client’s needs and less on integration within their existing infrastructure. For example, the SA will setup the client’s dashboard to their specific needs, whereas the SE ensures the proper usage of APIs. In small SaaS companies, it is not unusual for the same individual or small group of individuals to fill both the SE and the SA roles.
8. Cybersecurity Engineer
SaaS programs live in “the cloud,” which makes them vulnerable to cyberattack. Cybersecurity engineers, also called IT or data security engineers, are professionals who ensure the safety and security of systems, applications and software. With the increasing demand for this professional, the industry is now faced with a shortage of qualified individuals to fill these roles.
9. Product Manager
Product managers oversee the creation and maintenance of the software. They ensure that all aspects of software development come together and that the software development team works effectively during the development, launch, and lifespan of the product.
10. Data Scientist
Data scientists are wizards when it comes to analyzing and applying data and algorithms. Armed with skills in analytics, statistics and computer science, data analysts help companies make strategic decisions. To be a data analyst, you need to have a degree in statistics, social or physical sciences and computer science. A single degree is enough, but holding Master’s and Ph.D. degrees increases the job candidate’s value in the job market.
11. Marketing
The marketing team is responsible for creating awareness of the SaaS product and to ensure competitive market positioning. The primary focus in SaaS marketing is usually inbound marketing, with the goal of bringing as many people into the sales funnel as possible.
12. Inbound and Outbound Sales
Inbound sales teams receive leads generated by the software developer’s marketing team. Once the leads are received and customers are in the sales funnel, the sales team qualifies and quantifies those leads. It’s them their responsibility to convert qualified leads into paying customers.
In SaaS, this type of “inside sales” is much more common than is cold calling or other sales methods. To be a successful software sales professional, you need to know how the software works and be able to demonstrate it to potential customers. This means that when you’re hired, you will spend many of your initial days on the job learning the software “inside and out.”
By contrast, outbound sales teams identify potential customers in the early stages of the
buyer’s journey. They’re primarily responsible for driving awareness and interest in the product.
13. Account Executive or Sales Rep
Once a lead is qualified, it is then assigned to an account executive/sales rep, who takes ownership of the lead and conducts the rest of the sales process. Armed with a firm understanding of the company’s products, account reps/sales reps determine the needs of these potential customers and make compelling arguments for the SaaS products that will fulfill those needs.
14. Account Manager
After the sale has been made, there is often an account manager who is placed in charge of customer support. Account managers maintain close ties with the company’s clients and are the individuals who retain and further monetize existing customers.
15. Sales Manager
Typically, there is a sales manager who directly supervises the sales team and ensures that the sales team has all of the tools they need to get their job done. This person also measures performance of the sales team against pre-set benchmarks and quotas and works with underperforming sales reps to help them close more sales.
16. User Experience (UX) Designer
A UX designer’s job involves an abundance of creative work. They must have some understanding of aesthetics to make the product appealing to the potential user’s eye. UX designers must also make the SaaS product as accessible as possible by optimizing the customer journey when using the product.
They determine the structure of the customer-facing final product, making sure that it is easy for the target audience to use. In this way, frustration can be minimized and customer satisfaction can be increased.
The most critical skill in a UX designer’s repertoire, apart from mastery of the required software, is creativity. Much like the marketing manager, creativity enhances a talented UX designer and the entire company by making the product stand out from the competition. But a UX designer also be prepared to take the initiative, be persistent and strive towards continuous product improvement. Just because something works fine, it doesn’t mean that there is no room for improvement. Such should be the mantra of a good UX designer.
The UX designer’s role is vital to the SaaS company’s success because the user-friendliness and aesthetic appeal of an interface can make or break a SaaS product.
EZnet Scheduler® is a cloud-based, SaaS appointment scheduler with built-in resource management and credit card processing functionality. Our advanced data security guarantees the safety of your data and your customers’ data. That’s why Software Advice rates us as one of the best for value, quality and features.
