What does a developer support engineer do?
In the information technology industry, a developer support engineer focuses on assisting developers by designing and solutions according to the projects' needs. Their responsibilities often include developing software and hardware, installing and configuring systems, creating test structures, reviewing specifications, gathering and analyzing data to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current processes, and implementing solutions against problem areas. Moreover, a developer support engineer must maintain an active communication line with development teams for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Developer support engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real developer support engineer resumes:
- Conduct several interviews with management and end-users which lead to finish the database application.
- Develop user interfaces using JSP, HTML and CSS.
- Develop UI using HTML, AJAX, Javascript and jQuery and jQueryUI.
- Develop and maintain XML documentation in conjunction with the QA team to support code changes.
- Maximize JavaScript capabilities to construct HTML proto-typing of components and pages.
- Handle development and change requests in UNIX.
- Used HTML forms for the user interface.
- Analyze and write few PL/SQL store procedures in resolving few issues.
- Develop SQL scripts, PL/SQL scripts and modification of existing ones.
- Design the API for Infragistics user interface controls and enhance features thereof.
- Create a new tool to replace an element data within XML file.
- Update the code to remove deprecate api and used the new code after upgrading.
- Design training manuals and scripts for the other technicians who mostly have Linux skills.
- Develop and implement shell programs to maintain operation of client/server systems using SQL * DBA and UNIX tools.
- Log customer interactions in the Salesforce (SFDC) and report any software defects via JIRA.
Developer support engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Developer Support Engineers are proficient in Java, C++, and Python. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Developer Support Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 11%
Involved in maintenance of existing Iconic/NetACE application using Java/J2EE classes.
- C++, 10%
Designed and implemented tube-surface data structure to handle blade geometry and topology (C++).
- Python, 9%
Created White papers, consulted customers as well as acquired Python programming classes while at Cisco.
- API, 6%
Identified and worked around product defects, consulted on software design and API usage, product liaison for Visual Basic 1.0.
- Technical Support, 5%
Provided escalated technical support to customers from mixed backgrounds (Premier-level enterprise customers to one-man-shop programmers) using Visual Studio.
- JavaScript, 5%
Implemented a front side script that encrypted and passed customer information to the Downloads server for tracking and logging using JavaScript.
Most developer support engineers use their skills in "java," "c++," and "python" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential developer support engineer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a developer support engineer to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." Developer support engineers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "answered macapp, c++, object-oriented and general macintosh development questions from third-party software engineers. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform developer support engineer duties is interpersonal skills. Developer support engineers responsibilities require that "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." Developer support engineers also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed strong interpersonal and communication skills woking with a team of back end and front end website developers. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of developer support engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday developer support engineer duties, as "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "resolved client development problems with c++ and java api to object store. "
Analytical skills. For certain developer support engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "analytical skills." The day-to-day duties of a developer support engineer rely on this skill, as "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what developer support engineers do: "involved in migration of higher java version from legacy version debugging production issues, root cause analysis and fixing. "
Communication skills. Another crucial skill for a developer support engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what developer support engineers relies on this skill, since "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." How this skill relates to developer support engineer duties can be seen in an example from a developer support engineer resume snippet: "consumed web services, soap and restful, used them for internal (inside application) and external communications. "
Creativity. Another skill commonly found on developer support engineer job descriptions is "creativity." It can come up quite often in developer support engineer duties, since "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day developer support engineer responsibilities: "developed, testing, and supported comic store ordering and inventory software developed using clipper/dbase on pc/ms-dos(lantastic network). "
The three companies that hire the most developer support engineers are:
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Compare different developer support engineers
Developer support engineer vs. Datastage developer
Datastage developers supervise technology design and building. These developers implement various tools and solutions. They provide estimations, make an analysis of requirements, and set up Datastage projects according to requirements. Datastage developers' responsibility is to understand business requirements, ensure consistent unit tests, and design applications according to requirements. Once there is an update, these developers support the technology infrastructure team implementation and train clients. To be successful as Datastage developers, they must know application design and development, analytical skills, and a self-starter.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between developer support engineers and datastage developer. For instance, developer support engineer responsibilities require skills such as "c++," "python," "api," and "technical support." Whereas a datastage developer is skilled in "database," "datastage etl," "aggregator," and "ibm db2." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Datastage developers tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $107,514. In contrast, developer support engineers make the biggest average salary, $108,308, in the finance industry.On average, datastage developers reach similar levels of education than developer support engineers. Datastage developers are 3.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Developer support engineer vs. Software developer
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, developer support engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "troubleshoot," "developer support," "technical issues," and "customer issues." Meanwhile, a software developer has duties that require skills in areas such as "software development," "database," "git," and "scrum." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, software developers earn a lower salary than developer support engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, software developers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $96,138. Whereas developer support engineers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $108,308.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Software developers tend to reach similar levels of education than developer support engineers. In fact, they're 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for developer support engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Developer support engineer vs. Contract developer
Contract Developers develop secure web applications for data collections, quality measurement efforts, and reporting purposes for large-scale performance, wireframes and UI specifications for interactive and static reporting and analysis features, and developing UI to interact with reporting engines. They are involved with system design and technical documentation and responsible for dot net development. In this position, contract developers must excellent in problem-solving, analytical skills and attention to detail, display and manipulate performance metrics, and highly confident dealing with internal and external clients.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, developer support engineers are more likely to have skills like "technical support," "troubleshoot," "developer support," and "ruby." But a contract developer is more likely to have skills like "web application," "aws," "git," and "net core."
Contract developers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $103,060. Comparatively, developer support engineers have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $108,308.When it comes to education, contract developers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to developer support engineers. In fact, they're 3.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Developer support engineer vs. Database developer
A database developer specializes in designing and creating storage programs according to a client's needs. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their preferences and requirements, coordinating with other teams, identifying errors or inconsistencies by conducting regular maintenance tests, and monitoring its performance to ensure smooth workflow. A database developer may also respond to inquiries and concerns, provide corrective measures, produce instructional materials for the database users, and develop strategies to keep the data safe and secure.
Types of developer support engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
