Don't dismiss these jobs as inconsequential simply because they aren't very technical or because you don't understand their role. Every job from technical support to manager was created for a reason, whether to ensure a quality product or a successful release. This month's column describes some of these jobs for those readers haven't worked at a software company. By learning the job descriptions you'll get a glimpse at the big picture, and perhaps start to appreciate the support staff that helps a good programmer ship a quality product.
Programmers perform most of the work involved in designing and creating new software.
Some engineers are responsible for other support tasks, like writing libraries or maintaining source code control. He's like a surgeon performing an operation, surrounded by a support staff to handle the details. The project manager is responsible for making sure the team stays focused and the project on schedule and within budget. He's responsible for dividing up the work, tracking time estimates, for bringing in warm bodies if the project falls behind. Production Software development isn't just about writing code, it's about creating a finished product.