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What does a senior software engineer/architect do?

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

A senior software engineer/architect is in-charged in supervising a team of developers throughout the entire design and development process for new software systems and applications. The position requires a high-level decision-making ability, strong leadership and problem-solving skills, and familiarity with different computer programming languages such as C#, C++, and Java. The education requirements for this position include a bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or a related field.

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Senior software engineer/architect responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior software engineer/architect resumes:

  • Design and implement ASP.NET web site for support to manage and maintain customer and product information.
  • Used jQuery / JavaScript to provide some client side programming such as balloon, custom calendar, etc.
  • Develop UI components using JavaScript, Backbone/Marionette framework.
  • Participate in daily scrum meetings.
  • Provide MVC navigation model for HTML base client.
  • Utlize HTML helper class in writing HTML elements.
  • Used XML base scripts to parse target sites and for real time storage of data.
  • Enhance and debug Linux distributions at all levels from boot-loader, kernel to user level clustering features.
  • Embed Linux base platform, design for high availability, runs on ATCA telephony grade data center hardware.
  • Lead team of developers to expand functionality by building UI, reporting tools, batch validation tools and WCF services.
  • Design and implement the UI, the controllers and the modules that interact with WCF services to provide the logical implementation.
  • Develop a company-wide API for capturing revenue generating events.
  • Develop network topology visualization module using HTML5 canvas API.
  • Redesign delivery mechanism utilizing Perl scripting and Java, eliminating redundancy, improving stability and efficiency.
  • Create a comprehensive payment reconciliation application that allows precise data matching base on XML configuration rules.

Senior software engineer/architect skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Senior Software Engineers/Architect are proficient in Java, Architecture, and JavaScript. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

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

  • Java, 10%

    Analyzed, designed and implemented complete, web based, Java software engineering environment for new development organization.

  • Architecture, 7%

    Crafted application architecture for all major software development initiatives resulting in reusable business objects, decreased TCO and reduced technical debt.

  • JavaScript, 5%

    Evaluated different HTML5 mobile frameworks and JavaScript plugins to use in Web application for iPhone/iPad and Android.

  • Python, 4%

    Developed high quality software, Using Python, Flask, MongoDB, Neo4j, RabbitMQ.

  • Web Application, 4%

    Led and managed agile project team comprised of geographically dispersed resources for developing web applications and shared services.

  • Software Development, 4%

    Created Java/Web/CORBA based software development environment along with designing and implementing a secure web audio and video teleconferencing portal.

Common skills that a senior software engineer/architect uses to do their job include "java," "architecture," and "javascript." You can find details on the most important senior software engineer/architect responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a senior software engineer/architect 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 senior software engineer/architect resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "extended the j2ee security model to provide a more granular data sensitive permission model. "

Communication skills. Many senior software engineer/architect duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a senior software engineer/architect will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior software engineer/architect responsibilities rely on communication skills: "created speech recognition ivr applications utilizing tools from nuance communications and scansoft, including nuance speech objects written in java. "

Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior software engineers/architect is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday senior software engineer/architect duties, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed a poc for inventory/ordering workflow using windows workflow 4.0. c# development. "

Detail oriented. senior software engineer/architect responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "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." This resume example shows what senior software engineers/architect do with detail oriented on a typical day: "design a data exchange infrastructure using a java web service-oriented architecture. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in senior software engineer/architect job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what senior software engineers/architect do. Senior software engineer/architect responsibilities rely on this skill because "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." You can also see how senior software engineer/architect duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "implement and manage web services and web solutions deployment process for all production, development, qa and uat servers. "

See the full list of senior software engineer/architect skills

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Compare different senior software engineers/architect

Senior software engineer/architect vs. Lead architect

A lead architect spearheads architectural operations while maintaining an active communication line with clients. They typically meet with clients to discuss the project's needs and specifications, agree on a budget, provide advice and recommendations, and negotiate contracts. They are also in charge of developing building designs, coordinating staff, devising plans, incorporating essential systems, and providing technical and guidance as needed. Moreover, as the lead architect of the project, they must enforce policies and regulations to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.

The annual salary of lead architects is $20,106 lower than the average salary of senior software engineers/architect.Even though senior software engineers/architect and lead architects are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require java, architecture, and javascript in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior software engineer/architect are more likely to require skills like "python," "software development," "aws," and "c # .net." On the other hand, a job as a lead architect requires skills like "digital transformation," "cloud," "infrastructure," and "api testing." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Lead architects earn the highest salaries when working in the insurance industry, with an average yearly salary of $112,852. On the other hand, senior software engineers/architect are paid more in the construction industry with an average salary of $125,411.On average, lead architects reach similar levels of education than senior software engineers/architect. Lead architects are 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior software engineer/architect vs. Software developer

A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.

A career as a software developer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a senior software engineer/architect. In fact, software developers salary is $37,272 lower than the salary of senior software engineers/architect per year.A few skills overlap for senior software engineers/architect and software developers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "javascript," and "python. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior software engineer/architect responsibilities requires skills like "architecture," "aws," "windows," and "sql server." But a software developer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "database," "debugging," "jira," and "confluence."

Software developers may earn a lower salary than senior software engineers/architect, but software developers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $96,138. On the other hand, senior software engineers/architect receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $125,411.In general, software developers achieve lower levels of education than senior software engineers/architect. They're 5.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior software engineer/architects 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 software engineer/architect 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.

On average scale, lead engineers bring in lower salaries than senior software engineers/architect. In fact, they earn a $39,866 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on senior software engineers/architect and lead engineers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "java," "architecture," and "javascript.rdquo;

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 software engineer/architect resumes include skills like "web application," "software development," "aws," and "c # .net," whereas a lead engineer is more likely to list skills in "c #," "database," "project management," and "troubleshoot. "

Lead engineers earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $110,872. Comparatively, senior software engineers/architect have the highest earning potential in the construction industry, with an average salary of $125,411.lead engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to senior software engineers/architect. Specifically, they're 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior software engineer/architect vs. Systems architect

A systems architect specializes in designing and developing computer networks and systems for company operations. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around conducting research and analysis to identify a company's needs, devising strategies to reach particular goals, improving existing systems, and implementing solutions for optimal processes. A systems architect must also monitor the progress of all implementations, prepare progress reports and presentations, provide technical support as needed, and train new workforce members, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including vision and mission.

Systems architects tend to earn a lower pay than senior software engineers/architect by an average of $21,029 per year.While their salaries may vary, senior software engineers/architect and systems architects both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "java," "javascript," and "python. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "architecture," "web application," "software development," and "aws" are skills that commonly show up on senior software engineer/architect resumes. On the other hand, systems architects use skills like cloud, c #, system architecture, and project management on their resumes.systems architects enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $116,386. For comparison, senior software engineers/architect earn the highest salary in the construction industry.systems architects reach similar levels of education compared to senior software engineers/architect, in general. The difference is that they're 4.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior software engineer/architect

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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