What does a lead software developer do?
A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.
Lead software developer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead software developer resumes:
- Spring MVC are used to manage navigation.
- Manage technical infrastructure including but not limit to AWS images and instances, deployment procedures and tools, and monitoring.
- Used and written maven scripts to manage dependencies and to build and deploy the application locally and in DEV environments.
- Design rich user interface using ASP.NET, HTML and CSS.
- Develop a lightweight media gallery CDN for marketplace images using windows azure and link lists.
- Implement a clean UI with cutting edge technologies CSS3.0 and JavaScript using AngularJS, bootstrap and other JavaScript libraries.
- Migrate legacy application architecture to a custom MVC framework and powerful object model using ColdFusion and Java.
- Involve in creating user interfaces using JQuery.
- Design CSS for uniform look of the web pages.
- Work on accessing different data structure types including XML and JSON.
- Convert the existing SatuitCRM product from IE-only to cross-browser, using jQuery.
- Design JSON schema for data communication between client to server or vice-versa.
- Develop HTML, JSP prototype of EFT change functions, incorporating NetBenefits redesign features.
- Web content management system and update online branding materials utilizing HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript, AngularJS.
- Work closely with cross-shore development team base in India to communicate individual task assignments in a daily scrum environment.
Lead software developer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Lead Software Developers are proficient in Java, Architecture, and Application Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Lead Software Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 11%
Migrated legacy application architecture to a custom MVC framework and powerful object model using ColdFusion and Java.
- Architecture, 6%
Developed Model Driven Architecture based platform architecture and prototype MFD controller, and demonstrated rapid changes.
- Application Development, 5%
Involved in analysis, design and application development of new requirement and enhancements.
- Software Development, 5%
Recommended and improved software development methodology corporate-wide.
- API, 4%
Developed PHP/MySQL based Twitter API application reporting software that allowed trend analysis.
- JavaScript, 4%
Developed reusable and customized classes using JavaScript.
Common skills that a lead software developer uses to do their job include "java," "architecture," and "application development." You can find details on the most important lead software developer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a lead software 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 software developer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "developed a code generation tool to generate the spring jdbc code in java for oracle database tables. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling lead software 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 software developer resume, here's how lead software developers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "designed and implemented xml document to java class marshalling and unmarshalling for client-server communication. "
Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of lead software developers is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday lead software developer duties, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "slow inventory web application to audit products in stock for a long time. "
Detail oriented. A big part of what lead software developers do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to lead software developer responsibilities because "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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical lead software developer tasks: "refactored outsourced java application to be object oriented. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for lead software developer responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of lead software developers all the time, 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." An excerpt from a real lead software developer resume shows how this skill is central to what a lead software developer does: "integrated rfid devices with management solutions using asp.net, jquery, tsql and javascript. "
The three companies that hire the most lead software developers are:
- Shopify108 lead software developers jobs
- S&P Global72 lead software developers jobs
- U.S. Bank52 lead software developers jobs
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Compare different lead software developers
Lead software developer vs. Software architect
A Software Architect develops new programs for a variety of technological devices for businesses, computer games, mobile networks, and/or operating systems. They ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product and work closely with executives to explain the benefits of the software.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a lead software developer are more likely to require skills like "project management," "hr," "database design," and "ssis." On the other hand, a job as a software architect requires skills like "cloud," "database," "aws," and "saas." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Software architects earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $119,142. On the other hand, lead software developers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $115,917.software architects tend to reach similar levels of education than lead software developers. In fact, software architects are 4.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Lead software developer vs. Architect and developer
An Architect And Developer is focused on the technical design, architecture, and development of products. They generally work as a part of the development team.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that lead software developer responsibilities requires skills like "architecture," "software development," "python," and "project management." But an architect and developer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "c #," "application architecture," "mvc," and "digital marketing."
Architects and developer may earn a lower salary than lead software developers, but architects and developer earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $125,314. On the other hand, lead software developers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $115,917.architects and developer earn similar levels of education than lead software developers in general. They're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for lead software developers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Lead software developer vs. Software engineer lead
A Software Engineer Lead is focused on developing and testing software programs. They manage a team of software engineers that design enterprise software products and operating systems.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a lead software developer is likely to be skilled in "architecture," "application development," "net core," and "hr," while a typical software engineer lead is skilled in "aws," "git," "database," and "google cloud platform."
Software engineers lead earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $125,218. Lead software developers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $115,917.software engineers lead typically earn similar educational levels compared to lead software developers. Specifically, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead software developer vs. Web application developer
A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.
Types of lead software developer
Updated January 8, 2025
