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What does a Senior Java Developer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted Expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.
What does a Senior Java Developer do

A senior java developer's responsibilities will vary upon the industry or preference of a client. Aside from developing programs and applications, the tasks will also revolve around leading a team and overseeing the project's progress, coordinating with every workforce member, conducting extensive research, testing, and analysis, troubleshooting, and designing. It is also essential to detect and resolve issues as soon as possible, implement guidelines, keep detailed documentation about the project, and devise strategies to improve the workforce and workflow.

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Senior java developer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior java developer resumes:

  • Lead a team of 7 people to deliver project which change the entire design of RXP, online payment UI layer.
  • Develop the UI using HTML, CSS, JSP and JavaScript for interactive cross browser functionality and complex user interface.
  • Used Struts/MVC framework to enable the interactions between JSP/View layer and implement different design patterns with J2EE and XML technology.
  • Create web pages using JSP for generating HTML pages dynamically and used CSS to improve the style of the user interface.
  • Involve in development of XML data files where there is data to be load into the placeholders of JSP.
  • Work on the website from start to finish to give it a new look using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
  • Develop server-side common utilities for the application and the front-end dynamic web pages using JSP, JavaScript and HTML/DHTML and CSS.
  • Develop an automate process to send e-mails automatically using Java mail API.
  • Involve in building and deploying the legacy application on WebLogic and tomcat servers.
  • Involve in writing the JUNIT test cases involve in writing test suites test units.
  • Work on the application using the MVC architecture with technologies like spring, JSP/HTML.
  • Create test cases and perform unit testing to identify and rectify any defects using JUNIT.
  • Utilize various JavaScript and JQUERY libraries, AJAX for form validation and other interactive features.
  • Build and maintain restful API and Jax-Rs solutions to pull customer data from major utilities.
  • Design and develop the modules using angular JS, HTML5 and restful web services using JAX-RS.

Senior java developer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Senior Java Developers are proficient in Java, Spring Boot, and Database. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Creativity, and Detail oriented.

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

  • Java, 13%

    Developed common client validation framework using commons validation framework, java script.

  • Spring Boot, 5%

    Reduced boiler plate configuration using Spring Boot with its embedded tomcat support, dependency management.

  • Database, 4%

    Implemented database connectivity using Hibernate Annotation configuration.

  • Web Application, 3%

    Project Description: Business e-Sales web application allows business customers to select and order online any of communication products and services.

  • MVC, 3%

    Designed and developed generated JSP pages based on Struts MVC architecture and also updates configuration setting in configuration files.

  • Maven, 3%

    Developed Maven configurations to automate building and deployment of application artifacts.

Common skills that a senior java developer uses to do their job include "java," "spring boot," and "database." You can find details on the most important senior java developer responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior java developer to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what senior java developers do because "webmasters have to respond politely and correctly to user questions and requests." Additionally, a senior java developer resume shows how senior java developers use customer-service skills: "developed web service client using spring framework and rest http protocol to get customer credentials and information. "

Creativity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior java developer duties is creativity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "web developers often are involved in designing the appearance of a website and must make sure that it is appealing as well as functional." According to a senior java developer resume, here's how senior java developers can utilize creativity in their job responsibilities: "developed the inventory management modules using ejb, struts, jsp and ajax and integrated the same. "

Detail oriented. senior java developers are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior java developer responsibilities, because "web developers need to have an eye for detail, because a minor error in coding could cause an entire webpage to stop working." A senior java developer resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "spring framework is used to implement inversion of control (ioc) and aspect oriented programming (aop). "

Most common senior java developer skills

The three companies that hire the most senior java developers are:

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Compare different senior java developers

Senior java developer vs. Developer analyst

A developer analyst is an individual who is responsible for building application requirements and develops database solutions that allow operational efficiency and user-friendly tools. Developer analysts are required to develop a detailed definition of business solutions that can include database design, data flow, and transaction processing requirements. They work with other teams to design and implement a web application that manages internal processes and can result in increased productivity. Developer analysts are also required to perform integration tests for various vendors for services that are according to business requirements and testing processes.

We looked at the average senior java developer salary and compared it with the wages of a developer analyst. Generally speaking, developer analysts are paid $21,488 lower than senior java developers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior java developer and developer analyst positions are skilled in java, web application, and mvc.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior java developer are more likely to require skills like "spring boot," "database," "maven," and "junit." On the other hand, a job as a developer analyst requires skills like "c++," "architecture," "data analysis," and "sharepoint." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Developer analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $99,277. On the other hand, senior java developers are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $118,398.On average, developer analysts reach lower levels of education than senior java developers. Developer analysts are 9.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior java developer vs. Lead software developer

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.

On average, lead software developers earn a $8,305 higher salary than senior java developers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior java developers and lead software developers have skills such as "java," "spring boot," and "web application. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior java developer responsibilities requires skills like "database," "mvc," "git," and "front end." But a lead software developer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "architecture," "application development," "software development," and "javascript."

On average, lead software developers earn a higher salary than senior java developers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, lead software developers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $115,917. Whereas senior java developers have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $118,398.lead software developers earn lower levels of education than senior java developers in general. They're 5.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Java Developers in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Senior java developer vs. Team lead and developer

A team lead and developer is a person who handles a group of employees in a particular section, geared to accomplish daily specific goals. The team lead and developer ensures that the team works cohesively and efficiently to achieve its goals. It is the role of the team lead to ensure employees are well-equipped, trained properly, and capable. The team lead conducts regular assessments of teammates and offers support. Added to the role of the team lead is to request training, enhancement seminars, and submit accomplishment and activity reports to company management.

On average scale, team lead and developers bring in lower salaries than senior java developers. In fact, they earn a $20,943 lower salary per year.senior java developers and team lead and developers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "spring boot," and "web application," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior java developers are more likely to have skills like "database," "git," "eclipse," and "microservices." But a team lead and developer is more likely to have skills like "architecture," "c++," "javascript," and "application development."

Team lead and developers earn the highest salary when working in the telecommunication industry, where they receive an average salary of $110,027. Comparatively, senior java developers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $118,398.When it comes to education, team lead and developers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to senior java developers. In fact, they're 8.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior java 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.

Applications developers typically earn lower pay than senior java developers. On average, applications developers earn a $17,562 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, senior java developers and applications developers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "java," "spring boot," and "database. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "mvc," "design patterns," "tomcat," and "jax-rs" are skills that commonly show up on senior java developer resumes. On the other hand, applications developers use skills like javascript, c++, application development, and regression on their resumes.applications developers enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $103,905. For comparison, senior java developers earn the highest salary in the retail industry.The average resume of applications developers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to senior java developers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 8.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of senior java developer

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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