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What is a senior software manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
John Russo

Senior software managers define and create software strategies for an organization's IT needs. Their roles include tracking young software developers, enhancing software efficiency, and ensuring that new software is combined smoothly. You must also log procedures.

Every company in the IT domain seeks a highly experienced senior software manager to create cutting-edge market optimization software solutions. To this end, your job will be to manage junior software developers, evaluate software performance and configuration systems, and manage new software implementation and mix. New app engineers must also be employed.

First-class senior software managers inspire their enterprises to innovate software. Multiple alumnae who serve in this sector claim annual earnings of $133,548. Your skills and experience can, however, significantly affect this statistic.

What's a day at work look like for a senior software manager?

John Russo

Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Computer Science, Landmark College

Many companies will continue to have employees work remotely. This means that one has to be a self-starter, able to focus and stay on task. Some jobs, such as a network administrator, might not look much different than pre-pandemic. Others, such as software engineer, will be different. Much of the collaboration will take place virtually. One piece that will be missing from the workday for recent graduates is socializing and building a team outside of the boundaries of work.
ScoreSenior Software ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.8

Avg. Salary $145,610

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.20%

Asian 20.40%

Black or African American 5.72%

Hispanic or Latino 8.57%

Unknown 5.08%

White 60.02%

Gender

female 20.46%

male 79.54%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Senior software manager career paths

Key steps to become a senior software manager

  1. Explore senior software manager education requirements

    Most common senior software manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.9 %

    Master's

    26.7 %

    Associate

    4.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior software manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Software Development14.25%
    Java11.05%
    Cycle Management8.60%
    Cloud6.55%
    Project Management5.52%
  3. Complete relevant senior software manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior software managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior software manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior software manager resumes.
  4. Research senior software manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead the transition to cloud using AWS and WSO2.
    • Manage and oversee all QA and UAT environments, coordinate release schedule with release team.
    • Manage a team of 7 engineers to draft technical requirements, develop UI flows and complete operator compliance specifications.
    • Manage and routinely update application SharePoint site.
  5. Get senior software manager experience

    Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become a senior software manager. The most common roles before becoming a senior software manager include senior software engineer, software engineer team lead and software testing manager.
  6. Prepare your senior software manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior software manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior software manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior software manager resume templates

    Build a professional senior software manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior software manager resume.
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
    Senior Software Manager Resume
  7. Apply for senior software manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior software manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first senior software manager job

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Average senior software manager salary

The average senior software manager salary in the United States is $145,610 per year or $70 per hour. Senior software manager salaries range between $107,000 and $197,000 per year.

Average senior software manager salary
$145,610 Yearly
$70.00 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do senior software managers rate their job?

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Senior software manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

Able to see ideation to fruition and achieve success together as a team.

Cons

If company is not supportive of new technology advancement.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Pros

Reviewing

Cons

This can be a tough and demanding job but rewarding in the end since you can see the benefit of the software that you have built through the eyes of the user


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Pros

Reviewing

Cons

Man Management is often an art and skill that people in software development may not have


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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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