What does a Lead Developer do?
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 developer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead developer resumes:
- Develop UNIX shell scripts to automate the process of running jobs/batches for scheduling and process the feeds.
- Consult on the database schema, create business environments, write stored procedures in PL/SQL, authore reports and manage security.
- Configure and manage JGroup multicasting communication for apache tomcat web servers.
- Develop an UI tool for inbound and outbound file monitoring tool using HTML, CSS, JavaScript etc.
- Used HTML5 create forms and tables to display client's personal information which is fetched from back-end by using AJAX.
- Object orient design and implementation with agile application development using scrum.
- Maintain a JavaScript API library that provide basis for development of CTI client applications interacting with LiveOps telephony system.
- Used Jenkins for continuous auto build tool for continuous integration.
- Develop dashboard and generate reports using apex forms and pages.
- Configure OWSM polices on OSB proxies and SOA BPEL composites.
- Develop standards and best practices for SOA and OSB environments.
- Analyze software requirements and write technical user stories in JIRA tool.
- Develop MicroServices for different level of layers in flow of network.
- Design the application migration plan and document the design using Microsoft Visio.
- Created/Authore customized python XML/HTML processing object orient code to read 10K Edgar files.
Lead developer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Lead Developers are proficient in Java, JavaScript, and Architecture. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Lead Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 10%
Design, develop and maintain student loan portfolio management applications using Java and related technologies.
- JavaScript, 5%
Maintained a JavaScript API library that provided basis for development of CTI client applications interacting with LiveOps telephony system.
- Architecture, 5%
Developed JSON based REST services as parallel providers for selected entities as proof-of-concept, pending enterprise standardization and SOA architecture acceptance.
- C++, 4%
Involved in design & development of trading application SDK (in managed C++) used for Buy-Side and Sell-Side client applications.
- Web Application, 4%
Designed and developed a web application to support Business to Government transactions with a moderate level of automation and interactivity.
- GIT, 4%
Trained a team of o shore developers in the use of git, and git flow.
"java," "javascript," and "architecture" are among the most common skills that lead developers use at work. You can find even more lead developer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a lead developer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a lead developer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "supported java j2ee based applications for financial analysis, cost benefit analysis etc. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling lead developer duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." According to a lead developer resume, here's how lead developers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "designed and developed underlying j2ee framework for series of telecommunication applications. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for lead developers to perform their duties. For an example of how lead developer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a lead developer: "included proficiency with adobe creative suites, html, css, javascript, php & more. ".
Detail oriented. lead developer responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact 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." This resume example shows what lead developers do with detail oriented on a typical day: "developed class diagrams, sequence diagrams, database tables, and mapping between relational database tables and object oriented java objects. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a lead developer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what lead developers relies on this skill, since "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." How this skill relates to lead developer duties can be seen in an example from a lead developer resume snippet: "developed the various j2ee applications to support and integrate with imaging solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most lead developers are:
- ICF141 lead developers jobs
- Arrow Electronics103 lead developers jobs
- Deloitte101 lead developers jobs
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Compare different lead developers
Lead developer vs. Mobile applications developer
A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead developers and mobile applications developer. For instance, lead developer responsibilities require skills such as "architecture," "digital transformation," "code reviews," and "sql server." Whereas a mobile applications developer is skilled in "c #," "objective-c," "xcode," and "ios applications." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Mobile applications developers really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $107,574. Comparatively, lead developers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $119,501.On average, mobile applications developers reach similar levels of education than lead developers. Mobile applications developers are 3.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lead developer vs. Data warehouse developer
Data Warehouse Developers are information technology (IT) professionals assigned to manage company-related information or data. They are responsible for creating the company's data warehouse, where the company's data will be stored. Data warehouse developers are also expected to provide the maintenance needs related to the program.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real lead developer resumes. While lead developer responsibilities can utilize skills like "javascript," "architecture," "c++," and "web application," data warehouse developers use skills like "hadoop," "visualization," "data analysis," and "power bi."
Data warehouse developers earn a lower average salary than lead developers. But data warehouse developers earn the highest pay in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $107,723. Additionally, lead developers earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $119,501 annually.In general, data warehouse developers achieve similar levels of education than lead developers. They're 4.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Lead Developers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Lead developer vs. Applications developer
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from lead developer resumes include skills like "architecture," "code reviews," "crm," and "mvc," whereas an applications developer is more likely to list skills in "database," "regression," "front end," and "html5. "
Applications developers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $103,905. Comparatively, lead developers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $119,501.When it comes to education, applications developers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to lead developers. In fact, they're 2.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lead developer vs. Senior .net developer
A senior .NET developer is responsible for creating and managing software applications and programming languages under the .NET framework. Senior .NET developers carefully analyze software specifications and system requirements to ensure high-quality concept implementation using optimal operating procedures. A senior .NET developer runs diagnostic tests to identify its inconsistencies, perform adjustments as needed, and create reports of the system's features and methodologies. A senior .NET developer must have strong knowledge of the technology industry and software programming disciplines to assist junior developers and drive strategic results.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead developers and senior .net developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead developer might have more use for skills like "c++," "git," "api," and "code reviews." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior .net developers require skills like "asp," "net mvc," "web api," and "net framework. "
In general, senior .net developers earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $106,638. The highest-paying industry for a lead developer is the retail industry.The average resume of senior .net developers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to lead developers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.1%.Types of lead developer
Updated January 8, 2025
