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What does a senior product developer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.

A senior product developer leads product development activities to deliver quality products. In this role, they are in charge of delivering assigned project portfolios within the development plan through liaison with external and internal stakeholders. Their responsibilities include ensuring effective management of budgets, tracking of product development activities within the projects assigned to the team, promoting technical guidance to the production team in ensuring appropriate level support, managing specific product development activities across the supply chain, and integrating and promoting a positive working environment for the development team.

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Senior product developer responsibilities

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

  • Conduct market research, develop partnerships, manage financial administration, and negotiate IP licensing.
  • Design user friendly GUI, and telephony API applications.
  • Design and develop converter applications for SFTP client and server in JAVA.
  • Perform porting activities of original LogMaster Unix code base to work for NT.
  • Implement multi-threaded linux services and JAUS middleware solutions for the FPDS/Nemesis mine- detection and robotics program.
  • Design and develop a FTP proxy server in JAVA that supports SSL (secure socket layer).
  • Participate and facilitate discussions with QA team to triage and help resolve defects identify during testing for each release.
  • Perform code branching, merging, and build activities for development, QA, UAT, and production environments.
  • Train other company's developers of the usage of expose API and construction of xml to be submit to lead gateway.
  • Configure and implement security for the application by correctly assigning permissions to users and groups of windows active directory.
  • Used SolidWorks to design door components, door-locking mechanism and operational animations.
  • Prepare UML diagrams and documentation, impact analysis for new enhancements for existing applications.

Senior product developer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Senior Product Developers are proficient in Product Development, Java, and AWS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Problem-solving skills, and Analytical skills.

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

  • Product Development, 7%

    Balanced the inconsistencies of design, product development and pricing by identifying manufacturing capabilities and offering manufacturing alternatives.

  • Java, 7%

    Implemented the Configuration Plug-in Modules of Patrol Configuration Manager for UNIX and Log Management Knowledge Modules using Java Swing.

  • AWS, 6%

    Developed VM cloud management feature for supporting DDVEs in AWS, Azure and ESX hypervisors.

  • Development Process, 4%

    Collaborated with quality assurance to identify any potential quality issues during the development process

  • API, 4%

    Ported numerous UNIX applications written in C/C++ to Windows, converting to WIN32 API, as necessary.

  • Jenkins, 4%

    Implemented continuous integration with Jenkins for automated unit testing

Most senior product developers use their skills in "product development," "java," and "aws" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior product developer responsibilities here:

Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a senior product developer to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role 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." Additionally, a senior product developer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "perform detailed design analysis & provide input or approval for detailed design specifications. "

Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform senior product developer duties is problem-solving skills. Senior product developers responsibilities require that "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." Senior product developers also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "implemented swig-perl testing solution, including java swing ui to drive script generation. "

Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior product developers is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior product developer duties, as "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "sole java swing/gui designer and developer on the database performance for db2 project. "

Communication skills. For certain senior product developer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a senior product developer rely on this skill, as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what senior product developers do: "modified and implemented current api platform used to allow database communication to flash and flex applications. "

Creativity. A commonly-found skill in senior product developer job descriptions, "creativity" is essential to what senior product developers do. Senior product developer responsibilities rely on this skill because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." You can also see how senior product developer duties rely on creativity in this resume example: "developed web based supplier management inventory for hewlett packard, us using asp and sql server. "

Most common senior product developer skills

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

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Compare different senior product developers

Senior product developer vs. Developer/consultant

A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. They also handle clients' inquiries and concerns, informing them about necessary adjustments to improve strategic procedures and processes. A developer/consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience with the technology industry.

The annual salary of developer/consultants is $15,617 lower than the average salary of senior product developers.Even though senior product developers and developer/consultants are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require product development, java, and api in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior product developer are more likely to require skills like "c #," "aws," "development process," and "azure." On the other hand, a job as a developer/consultant requires skills like "project management," "hr," "microservices," and "business development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Developer/consultants earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $101,340. On the other hand, senior product developers are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $122,694.On average, developer/consultants reach higher levels of education than senior product developers. Developer/consultants are 7.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior product 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.

Developer analyst positions earn lower pay than senior product developer roles. They earn a $28,846 lower salary than senior product developers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Senior product developers and developer analysts both require similar skills like "java," "api," and "jenkins" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior product developer resumes. While senior product developer responsibilities can utilize skills like "product development," "c #," "aws," and "development process," developer analysts use skills like "eclipse," "architecture," "web services," and "sharepoint."

Developer analysts may earn a lower salary than senior product developers, but developer analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $99,277. On the other hand, senior product developers receive higher pay in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $122,694.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Developer analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than senior product developers. In fact, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior product 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 product developer vs. Product lead

A product lead is responsible for monitoring the development of new products and services of an organization, starting from brand conceptualization to official market release and distribution. Product leads identify effective product management by conducting data analysis and evaluating market statistics of customer demands. They coordinate with the clients on their specifications and requirements, including the budget limit and timely deliverables. A product lead manages the brand promotion on media platforms, creating content that adheres to the target audience.

An average product lead eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of senior product developers. The difference in salaries amounts to product leads earning a $4,703 higher average salary than senior product developers.senior product developers and product leads both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "product development," "java," and "c #," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior product developers are more likely to have skills like "aws," "jenkins," "maven," and "sr." But a product lead is more likely to have skills like "product management," "project management," "architecture," and "digital marketing."

Product leads make a very good living in the hospitality industry with an average annual salary of $129,039. On the other hand, senior product developers are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $122,694.When it comes to education, product leads tend to earn higher degree levels compared to senior product developers. In fact, they're 5.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior product 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.

Lead software developers average a higher salary than the annual salary of senior product developers. The difference is about $947 per year.According to resumes from senior product developers and lead software developers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "api," and "jenkins. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A senior product developer uses "product development," "c #," "aws," and "development process." Lead software developers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "architecture," "application development," "software development," and "python. "In general, lead software developers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $115,917. The highest-paying industry for a senior product developer is the retail industry.lead software developers reach higher levels of education compared to senior product developers, in general. The difference is that they're 7.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior product 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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