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What is a director of software development and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Christian Hansen Ph.D.
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A director of software development is a tech professional who is responsible for managing and coordinating the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software and applications. This role is also sometimes referred to as applications development director, and software engineering director.

Other tasks for a director of software development include creating and managing project timelines and budgets, and ensuring projects stay within certain guidelines and meet specific expectations.

A director of software development oversees many other tech professionals, including software developers and engineers, computer scientists, and many other software-related personnel. They might also supervise and train new team members.

A director of software development also has a lot of interaction with upper-level management at companies, including stakeholders. Oftentimes they prepare reports and proposals for executive members of a company to review and make decisions on.

This role requires you to have an abundance of experience in software development. Most are fluent and proficient in a variety of programming languages, such as Python, C++, and Javascript. Other essential skills include problem-solving abilities, organization, time management, communication, and leadership.

Most directors of software development have bachelor's or master's degrees in areas like software development, software engineering, computer science, or another related field. Some can be self-taught or gain knowledge and experience through online courses or tech-based boot camps. However, most need years of professional experience in the tech industry as a software developer to be promoted to this position.

What's a day at work look like for a Director Of Software Development?

Christian Hansen Ph.D.Christian Hansen Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Professor and Department Chair, Eastern Washington University

In the post-pandemic era, a typical workday for a recent graduate will likely involve some form of remote work. I predict that many businesses will benefit from the reduced cost of remote infrastructure compared to the cost of maintaining brick and mortar office space. Many new graduates will continue to spend their day on a computer while collaborating in teams via Zoom and other teleconference tools. People working in disciplines that have traditionally been "on the ground" will move towards more hybrid modes of work, reducing the need for travel and participating in face-to-face meetings and training.
ScoreDirector Of Software DevelopmentUS Average
Salary
9.1

Avg. Salary $158,853

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.6

Growth Rate 16%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 15.06%

Black or African American 6.57%

Hispanic or Latino 9.86%

Unknown 5.19%

White 63.12%

Gender

female 11.35%

male 88.65%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress Level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.7

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.1

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Director Of Software Development career paths

Key steps to become a director of software development

  1. Explore director of software development education requirements

    Most common director of software development degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.0 %

    Master's

    20.4 %

    Associate

    3.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific director of software development skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Java18.77%
    Software Development8.48%
    Cloud6.64%
    Software Engineering5.44%
    C++3.77%
  3. Complete relevant director of software development training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors of software development learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director of software development based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director of software development resumes.
  4. Gain additional director of software development certifications

    Director of software development certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific director of software development certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for directors of software development include Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research director of software development duties and responsibilities

    • Manage metadata system deploy to AWS.
    • Manage software communications for EDI and HTML distribution orders.
    • Manage engineering org of 3 teams , 40+ engineers including DevOps, architects and managers.
    • Manage continuous build integration through Jenkins and provide training and maintenance of git, repo and gerrit repositories.
  6. Get director of software development experience

    Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become a director of software development. The most common roles before becoming a director of software development include senior software engineer, software engineer team lead and software development manager.
  7. Prepare your director of software development resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director of software development resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director of software development resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Director Of Software Development Resume templates

    Build a professional Director Of Software Development resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Director Of Software Development resume.
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    Director Of Software Development Resume
    Director Of Software Development Resume
  8. Apply for director of software development jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director of software development job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Director Of Software Development Job

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Average director of software development salary

The average Director Of Software Development salary in the United States is $158,853 per year or $76 per hour. Director of software development salaries range between $110,000 and $228,000 per year.

Average Director Of Software Development Salary
$158,853 Yearly
$76.37 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do directors of software development rate their job?

5/5

Based On 2 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Director Of Software Development reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

Able to see ideation to fruition and achieve success together as a team.

Cons

If company is not supportive of new technology advancement.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Cons

Less pay and not being able to freely speak what's on my mind


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Cons

The amount of time spent in the office


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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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