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What does an application lead do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A lead applications developer is in charge of directing the development department in applications design, creation, coding, debugging, and testing. Lead applications developers serve as mentors for lower-level or new software programmers or developers. They supervise the development team members in pair programming, code reviews, and good development principle promotions. Their duties include the coordination of the schedule of development staff. Also, they ensure effective communication between the team members and the other IT functions.

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Application lead responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real application lead resumes:

  • Manage EDI customer requests, labeling, and customer compliance.
  • Code JSP pages and used JavaScript for client side validations and to achieve other client-side functionality.
  • Lead a team modifying existing software to incorporate new company name where applicable, which require extensive QA testing and debugging.
  • Conduct integration testing and regression testing with developers in development and QA, also conduct user acceptance testing with UAT team.
  • Coordinate n-tier client and server-side Java application development activities.
  • Upgrade to support XML input.
  • Advise client on SaaS CRM capabilities functions and features.
  • Design and develop integration between Siebel CRM and Documentum ECM base of DFS/DFC.
  • Monitor ECW technicians while they perform new product installations, upgrades and patching to existing EMR.
  • Integrate ACEGI with custom java code to implement CAC as a seamless component of the web application.
  • Develop back-end modules that connect to database and front end modules to allow user interaction with the use of JSP.
  • Track defects in QC, log during UAT and resolve the defects with minimal turnaround time by assigning to respective team.
  • Customize XML serialization of entities.
  • Analyze both infrastructure and application bottlenecks.
  • Key contributor to the overall product specification, user interface design, and information architecture.

Application lead skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Application Leads are proficient in Java, Architecture, and Emerging Technologies. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Application Leads that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 11%

    Collaborate and co-ordinate with distributed teams for requirements sync-up* Perform release management activities for deploying the Java application in Prod environment

  • Architecture, 8%

    Prepared reports and architecture design presentations for communications to lead operating bases and site communications across Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Emerging Technologies, 8%

    Research and develop new and emerging technologies.

  • SDLC, 5%

    Defined rules and processes while balancing internal release constraints, local SDLC and being mindful of efficient, national solutions.

  • Application Development, 5%

    Provide technical consultation to the senior managers for future application development planning.

  • Code Reviews, 5%

    Provided technical expertise and direction to the offshore development team including milestone code reviews.

Common skills that an application lead uses to do their job include "java," "architecture," and "emerging technologies." You can find details on the most important application lead responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an application lead to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." Application leads often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed jms based components to subscribe data from tibco ems and parse the xml messages. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling application lead duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." According to an application lead resume, here's how application leads can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "developed and implemented web service for communication with message broker a java messaging interface. "

Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of application leads is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday application lead duties, as "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "collaborated with creative teams to designs & partner with the technical scrum team to ensure proper uat and results were exceeded. "

All application lead skills

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Compare different application leads

Application lead vs. Developer analyst

A developer analyst is an individual who is responsible for building application requirements and develops database solutions that allow operational efficiency and user-friendly tools. Developer analysts are required to develop a detailed definition of business solutions that can include database design, data flow, and transaction processing requirements. They work with other teams to design and implement a web application that manages internal processes and can result in increased productivity. Developer analysts are also required to perform integration tests for various vendors for services that are according to business requirements and testing processes.

We looked at the average application lead salary and compared it with the wages of a developer analyst. Generally speaking, developer analysts are paid $27,713 lower than application leads per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between application leads and developer analysts are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like java, architecture, and emerging technologies.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between application leads and developer analyst. For instance, application lead responsibilities require skills such as "code reviews," "c #," "project management," and "javascript." Whereas a developer analyst is skilled in "c++," "data analysis," "visualization," and "dashboards." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Developer analysts tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $99,277. In contrast, application leads make the biggest average salary, $113,717, in the finance industry.The education levels that developer analysts earn slightly differ from application leads. In particular, developer analysts are 4.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an application lead. Additionally, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Application lead vs. Lead system analyst

A lead system analyst is someone who designs and analyzes existing systems used in a company. The person getting this position is tasked with reviewing all existing business processes, providing suggestions for improvements, and requesting upgrades. This position is vital for many businesses, especially ones focused on rapid business processing activities. Alongside this primary role, the lead system analyst also guides clients on the proper course of business systems and what changes are necessary to maximize the business's potential for success.

A career as a lead system analyst brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an application lead. In fact, lead system analysts salary is $6,431 lower than the salary of application leads per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both application leads and lead system analysts have skills such as "java," "architecture," and "sdlc. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, application lead responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "emerging technologies," "code reviews," "lifecycle management," and "api." Meanwhile, a lead system analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "strong analytical," "system design," "web application," and "business processes." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, lead system analysts earn a lower salary than application leads. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, lead system analysts earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $109,463. Whereas application leads have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $113,717.In general, lead system analysts achieve lower levels of education than application leads. They're 5.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Application lead vs. Lead technician

Lead technicians are technicians who oversee the technical needs of a specific project or department. They are usually tenured employees, and their familiarity with the company's technical and technological processes, software, and hardware would be a great advantage in succeeding in their role. Lead technicians are responsible for installing, updating, and maintaining various software and hardware components in the office. They often manage a group of technicians, and they ensure that the group they manage is properly trained and well-versed on the processes of the company. Lead technicians are expected to have strong analytical skills and decision-making skills.

On average scale, lead technicians bring in lower salaries than application leads. In fact, they earn a $22,377 lower salary per year.application leads and lead technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "architecture," and "emerging technologies," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an application lead is likely to be skilled in "c #," "project management," "lifecycle management," and "azure," while a typical lead technician is skilled in "digital transformation," "customer service," "database," and "c++."

Lead technicians earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $109,487. Application leads earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $113,717.Most lead technicians achieve a lower degree level compared to application leads. For example, they're 7.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Application lead vs. Lead developer

A lead developer is responsible for creating software programs and applications, following the client and the business's software quality standards and design specifications. Lead developers assist a team of developers in implementing strategic procedures, managing system codes, debugging applications, running diagnostic tests, and troubleshooting defects to ensure its smooth performance. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, performing feature adjustments as needed. A lead developer must have strong knowledge of the technology industry and command on programming languages and software design processes.

Lead developers average a higher salary than the annual salary of application leads. The difference is about $3,348 per year.According to resumes from application leads and lead developers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "architecture," and "emerging technologies. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "c #," "project management," "lifecycle management," and "business process" are skills that commonly show up on application lead resumes. On the other hand, lead developers use skills like c++, web application, git, and digital transformation on their resumes.The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for lead developers, with average annual pay of $119,501. Comparatively, the highest application lead annual salary comes from the finance industry.lead developers reach similar levels of education compared to application leads, in general. The difference is that they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of application lead

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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