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What does a senior development engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Andrea Welker Ph.D.

A senior development engineer is responsible for designing and developing products and systems according to the needs of an organization. They typically conduct extensive research and analysis, create plans with designers and other engineers, build prototypes and test structures, troubleshoot problems, and create strategies to optimize operations. Moreover, being the senior development engineer, they must lead and serve as a role model to junior engineers in reaching goals, all while enforcing and promoting the company's policies and regulations.

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Senior development engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior development engineer resumes:

  • Lead team effort to develop a corrective action plan with documentation require for FDA regulatory compliance.
  • Lead a group of 9 engineers responsible for technology development for handling electronic packages (computer CPU) during HVM.
  • Work on CSS, HTML.
  • Design and develop user interface using HTML 5 and CSS.
  • Assume high level responsibility of converting Linux base COBOL code to pure Java.
  • Develop test methods and fixtures in order to ensure designs meet FDA & IEC standards, as well as customer requirements.
  • Used Ajax and JavaScript technologies to enrich GUI.
  • Authore FMEA's and test protocols as required.
  • Develop server side VSDB API to standardize data interface.
  • Code all UI for the video and audio modules using Win32.
  • Convert simulation program to work on Linux multiprocessors system to save on new processors purchase.
  • Perform a major``face-lift"of the application by improving CSS design and navigations.
  • Consult with customers and partners face to face and virtually on UI design and behavior.
  • Work on web technologies like XML/XSLT to build a JAVA base custom portal for mobile phones.
  • Recognize system administrator and database storage architect, and windows systems architect / SME for SCON.

Senior development engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 19% of Senior Development Engineers are proficient in Java, Python, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Development Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 19%

    Developed Translation Management System (Internationalization of Tell-a-Friend widget) using JAVA.

  • Python, 8%

    Designed and implemented complex GUI controls in Python, extending C++ Qt objects for FloWizard using SIP.

  • C++, 6%

    Implemented interface for base object types such as model, assembly and part in C++.

  • Software Development, 4%

    Worked with software development and technical writers to resolve test failures and documentation inconsistencies.

  • Object Oriented Programming, 4%

    Guided team members in adopting Object Oriented Programming model.

  • JavaScript, 3%

    Provided technical support of applications across the whole framework, including database architectures, Tomcat, DWR, and JavaScript.

Most senior development engineers use their skills in "java," "python," and "c++" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior development engineer responsibilities here:

Listening skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior development engineer to have is listening skills. You can see how this relates to what senior development engineers do because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Additionally, a senior development engineer resume shows how senior development engineers use listening skills: "performed data analysis using jmp statistical tool and communicated technical details with reports and presentations to all levels within the organization. "

Math skills. Many senior development engineer duties rely on math skills. "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.," so a senior development engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior development engineer responsibilities rely on math skills: "utilized finite element analysis (fea), rapid prototyping, math data transfers and translations. "

Mechanical skills. senior development engineers are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior development engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." A senior development engineer resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "utilized cad and mechanical design theory to efficiently develop, layout, and analyze initial product concepts. "

Creativity. For certain senior development engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "creativity." The day-to-day duties of a senior development engineer rely on this skill, as "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what senior development engineers do: "implemented creative problem solving and project management skills to plan and manage multiple projects and shifting priorities. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in senior development engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what senior development engineers do. Senior development engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." You can also see how senior development engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "ported c++ module to java, resolved compilation issues while porting modules from hp-ux to sun solaris. "

See the full list of senior development engineer skills

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Compare different senior development engineers

Senior development engineer vs. Lead engineer

A lead engineer's duties vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities will revolve around overseeing the progress of operations and performance of the workforce, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for addressing issues and concerns, assessing risks, monitoring the budget, coordinating with clients and architects, and even training workers. Furthermore, as a lead engineer, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work and maintain a safe environment for all workers.

If we compare the average senior development engineer annual salary with that of a lead engineer, we find that lead engineers typically earn a $28,836 lower salary than senior development engineers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between senior development engineers and lead engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like java, python, and c++.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior development engineers and lead engineer. For instance, senior development engineer responsibilities require skills such as "software development," "data analysis," "fda," and "ul." Whereas a lead engineer is skilled in "architecture," "c #," "git," and "database." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Lead engineers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $110,872. In contrast, senior development engineers make the biggest average salary, $118,024, in the professional industry.lead engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior development engineers. In fact, lead engineers are 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Senior development engineer vs. Principal engineer

A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.

On average, principal engineers earn a $16,450 higher salary than senior development engineers a year.A few skills overlap for senior development engineers and principal engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "python," and "c++. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior development engineer responsibilities requires skills like "object oriented programming," "css," "ul," and "test data." But a principal engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "architecture," "c #," "technical leadership," and "dod."

Principal engineers earn a higher average salary than senior development engineers. But principal engineers earn the highest pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $125,415. Additionally, senior development engineers earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $118,024 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Principal engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior development engineers. In fact, they're 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior development engineers in the next 3-5 years?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.Andrea Welker Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Virtual/augmented reality will play an increasingly important role in visualizing designs and interacting with them.

Senior development engineer vs. Team lead engineer

A team leads engineer is in charge of spearheading and overseeing the efforts of an engineering team, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Although the duties may depend on one's industry of employment, it typically includes designing and developing systems according to project requirements, setting objectives and construction guidelines, delegating tasks, managing budgets and schedules, and monitoring the workflow, performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, as a team leads engineer, it is essential to encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while enforcing the company's safety standards and regulations.

On average, team lead engineers earn higher salaries than senior development engineers, with a $1,104 difference per year.senior development engineers and team lead engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "python," and "c++," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior development engineer resumes include skills like "software development," "data analysis," "fda," and "ul," whereas a team lead engineer is more likely to list skills in "architecture," "c #," "infrastructure," and "san. "

Team lead engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $117,918. Senior development engineers earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $118,024.When it comes to education, team lead engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to senior development engineers. In fact, they're 4.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior development engineer vs. Staff engineer

Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.

Staff engineers tend to earn a lower pay than senior development engineers by an average of $6,233 per year.While their salaries may vary, senior development engineers and staff engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "java," "python," and "c++. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior development engineers and staff engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior development engineer might have more use for skills like "object oriented programming," "azure," "css," and "ul." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of staff engineers require skills like "architecture," "ongoing development," "microservices," and "civil 3d. "

In general, staff engineers earn the most working in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $119,079. The highest-paying industry for a senior development engineer is the professional industry.The average resume of staff engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to senior development engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 2.9%.

Types of senior development engineer

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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