What does a senior computer scientist do?
A senior computer scientist is extensively involved in conducting research and solving various computer problems. They work as a part of a research team with programmers, IT professionals, and software engineers to create new products. Their primary goal is creating software that can interact with people and other computers.
Senior computer scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior computer scientist resumes:
- Lead cost evaluation for incremental release plan of business intelligence and cloud technology infusion.
- Rework existing Java applications in include GUI implementation, XML service implementation, compute architecture redesign.
- Configure Cisco routers, switches and Taclane encryption devices.
- Monitor and maintain district SharePoint.
- Programme JavaScript enablers for the web-based IDE client.
- Develop HTML code for a dynamic document retrieval system.
- Perform troubleshooting of servers, switches, and cable connections.
- Maintain UNIX scripts to retrieve, compare, and update web server data.
- Assist in executing design, testing, and debugging development & integration problems.
- Lead, development of adaptive vehicle tracking and speed camera detection algorithms using machine learning methods.
- Develop a Java message bean for settlement system to receive the reference price data from SAS jobs.
- Review, analyze, and modify programming systems including encoding, testing, debugging and documenting programs.
- Propose and write deep revision of error handling architecture, resulting in more stable application and improve diagnostics.
- Deploy testing of mainframes, Webhosting, UNIX and Win2K, LAN/WAN systems that include security system patching.
- Enhance front end of existing web portfolio system by adding several modules using JavaScript and third party libraries.
Senior computer scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Senior Computer Scientists are proficient in Python, Java, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Logical thinking, Math skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Senior Computer Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 21%
Applied Perl, python and Shell script to automate file processing on Linux systems.
- Java, 12%
Developed a java Swing program to display the OPORD/OPLAN.
- Software Development, 8%
Evaluate new software development tools and techniques and make decisions regarding implementation within the organization.
- Linux, 6%
Completed conversion of Linux application to Windows.
- Architecture, 5%
Developed data, business, and presentation layers aligned with enterprise architecture and designed relational databases conforming to 3rd Normal Form.
- Unix, 4%
Maintained UNIX scripts to retrieve, compare, and update web server data.
Common skills that a senior computer scientist uses to do their job include "python," "java," and "software development." You can find details on the most important senior computer scientist responsibilities below.
Logical thinking. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior computer scientist to have is logical thinking. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer algorithms rely on logic." Senior computer scientists often use logical thinking in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "identified data sources and architected entire gui as well as physical and logical data models. "
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior computer scientist duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "computer and information research scientists must have knowledge of advanced math and other technical topics that are critical in computing." According to a senior computer scientist resume, here's how senior computer scientists can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "architected and implemented knowledge base development environment and interactive expert system utilizing probability-based mathematical models to reason about uncertainty. "
Detail oriented. senior computer scientists are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior computer scientist responsibilities, because "computer and information research scientists must pay close attention to their work, because a small programming error can cause an entire project to fail." A senior computer scientist resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "led software development team using object-oriented technology (c++) and cots integration on large-scale software project. "
Analytical skills. A big part of what senior computer scientists do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to senior computer scientist responsibilities because "computer and information research scientists must be organized in their thinking and analyze the results of their research to formulate conclusions." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior computer scientist tasks: "developed a java message bean for settlement system to receive the reference price data from sas jobs. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for senior computer scientist responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior computer scientists all the time, as "computer and information research scientists must communicate well with programmers and managers and be able to clearly explain their conclusions to people with no technical background." An excerpt from a real senior computer scientist resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior computer scientist does: "designed and developed java software components for real-time multi-threaded communications systems. "
The three companies that hire the most senior computer scientists are:
- Southwest Research Institute17 senior computer scientists jobs
- Amazon15 senior computer scientists jobs
- Johnson & Johnson8 senior computer scientists jobs
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Compare different senior computer scientists
Senior computer scientist vs. Research and development internship
When it comes to Research and Development Internship, the duties will vary according to the organization or company. Most of the time, the responsibilities will revolve around observing the industry, taking part in the research and analysis, lend a helping hand in experiments and surveys, explore theories and attempt to create a model of out it, present findings for evaluation, and develop more innovative designs and systems. Moreover, in the Research and Development Internship, it always helps to be critical in solving complex problems.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior computer scientist are more likely to require skills like "software development," "architecture," "c," and "debugging." On the other hand, a job as a research and development internship requires skills like "powerpoint," "donor database," "data analysis," and "jquery." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Research and development interns tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,635. In contrast, senior computer scientists make the biggest average salary, $150,080, in the internet industry.On average, research and development interns reach lower levels of education than senior computer scientists. Research and development interns are 6.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 4.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior computer scientist vs. Software systems engineer
A software systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating software systems applications and programs according to clients' specifications or business' needs. They work to improve the features of existing applications to boost efficiency and optimal performance. Software systems engineers manage systems configuration and structural development to develop high-quality outputs and deliverables. They also run multiple diagnostic tests to ensure smooth navigations and server transitions and identify efficient technical solutions. A software systems engineer assists the end-users with application issues, performing troubleshooting operations, and creating resolution reports for reference.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior computer scientist responsibilities requires skills like "matlab," "extraction," "software tools," and "data collection." But a software systems engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "database," "software design," "san," and "embedded systems."
On average, software systems engineers earn a lower salary than senior computer scientists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, software systems engineers earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $125,769. Whereas senior computer scientists have higher pay in the internet industry, with an average salary of $150,080.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Software systems engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior computer scientists. In fact, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior computer scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Senior computer scientist 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 senior computer scientist is likely to be skilled in "c #," "architecture," "matlab," and "dod," while a typical software engineer lead is skilled in "aws," "spring boot," "javascript," and "git."
Software engineers lead earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $125,218. Senior computer scientists earn the highest pay from the internet industry, with an average salary of $150,080.Most software engineers lead achieve a similar degree level compared to senior computer scientists. For example, they're 2.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior computer scientist vs. Senior software engineer
Senior software engineers are experienced employees who would usually take the lead in projects related to software development. They are in charge of determining the needs of the organization, checking whether there are feasible solutions to challenges, and creating plans for the development of a software solution. They provide a sound analysis of data collected during the testing phase of the software and address any problems during the software development phase. Once the software has been developed, they then ensure that it works well and that it addresses the needs and expectations of the users.
Types of senior computer scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
