What does a senior software programmer do?
Senior software programmer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior software programmer resumes:
- Manage custom CSS styles for suite of external facing applications.
- Manage security issues in ASP.NET application by implementing membership feature for securing login process and protecting user passwords.
- Design and develop the UI using JSP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Work in developing the vendor engine used in the finger print authentication of web application using Java, XML.
- Design reports in XML and HTML.
- Have written several Java programs to transform the raw data into XML data.
- Used AJAX to get the dynamic behavior of the screens.
- Involve in the implementation and end user assistance in UI adoption.
- Involve in the maintenance, enhancements and debugging of the system.
- Used PL/SQL, develop PL/SQL procedures that handle key business logic.
- Develop PL/SQL packages for mass data cleanup, data validation, and error reporting.
- Design all the web pages by using JSP and used Ajax for faster response.
- Review, analyze, and modify the programming of application systems including encoding, testing, debugging and documenting programs.
- Enhance database schema and develop database objects like tables, views and materialize views to support extend business functionality.
- Include user and group level security and a sophisticate database synchronization strategy to support use in their many offices.
Senior software programmer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Senior Software Programmers are proficient in JavaScript, C++, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Software Programmers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- JavaScript, 9%
Design, code, test, implement web applications using: ASP, client-side JavaScript, and SQL Server.
- C++, 9%
Developed an infringement tracking system that tracks and records prospective negotiations using Visual Basic 5.0, C++ and ActiveX controls.
- Java, 7%
Designed, developed and maintained mainframe batch and online systems using ADABAS/Natural and IBM OS/JCL, Oracle 10g and Java.
- CSS, 6%
Designed and developed intranet web applications using JavaScript and CSS.
- UI, 6%
Designed the UI screens based on the client inputs, Implemented AJAX calls to auto populate data.
- Architecture, 5%
Provided technical leadership to junior engineers, designing and developing the overall project architecture
Most senior software programmers use their skills in "javascript," "c++," and "java" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior software programmer responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior software programmer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what senior software programmers do because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Additionally, a senior software programmer resume shows how senior software programmers use communication skills: "created and developed wcf services facilitate communication between various layers. "
Creativity. Many senior software programmer duties rely on creativity. "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software.," so a senior software programmer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior software programmer responsibilities rely on creativity: "inventory tracking verizon online sales extranet portal: built on vbscript, javascript, and sql server. "
Problem-solving skills. senior software programmers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior software programmer responsibilities, 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." A senior software programmer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "provided architectural solutions in java to meet the performance slas of ibm as400 existing systems. "
Analytical skills. senior software programmer responsibilities often require "analytical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." This resume example shows what senior software programmers do with analytical skills on a typical day: "extracted/parsed data from xml documents and loaded into sql and oracle databases. "
Detail oriented. Another common skill required for senior software programmer responsibilities is "detail oriented." This skill comes up in the duties of senior software programmers all the time, as "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." An excerpt from a real senior software programmer resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior software programmer does: "developed server code using rest web services under the guide lines of service oriented architecture. "
The three companies that hire the most senior software programmers are:
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Compare different senior software programmers
Senior software programmer vs. Programmer/analyst lead
A programmer analyst is responsible for monitoring database performance and software applications, performing basic troubleshooting, and improving program operations as needed. Programmer analysts' duties also include making adjustments on the system based on client's specifications, creating reports for any updates and new system procedures, designing specific technology solutions to improve the business operations, and performing necessary code adjustments. A programmer analyst must have extensive knowledge of computer systems and procedures, as well as critical-thinking skills to perform complex tasks under minimal supervision.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior software programmer responsibilities require skills like "ui," "architecture," "c # .net," and "json." Meanwhile a typical programmer/analyst lead has skills in areas such as "c #," "project management," "sdlc," and "data warehouse." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Programmer/analyst leads earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $110,090. On the other hand, senior software programmers are paid more in the media industry with an average salary of $105,928.The education levels that programmer/analyst leads earn slightly differ from senior software programmers. In particular, programmer/analyst leads are 12.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior software programmer. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior software programmer vs. Programmer analyst
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system. They inspect the application's performance, configure servers, and improve software infrastructure according to quality findings. A software analyst records resolution reports and provides progress updates, ensuring that the project adheres to budget limitations and set timetables.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior software programmer resumes. While senior software programmer responsibilities can utilize skills like "ui," "architecture," "json," and "html css," programmer analysts use skills like "data warehouse," "technical support," "mainframe," and "application development."
Programmer analysts may earn a lower salary than senior software programmers, but programmer analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $76,037. On the other hand, senior software programmers receive higher pay in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $105,928.In general, programmer analysts achieve lower levels of education than senior software programmers. They're 10.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior software programmers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Senior software programmer vs. Software analyst
A Software Architect develops new programs for a variety of technological devices for businesses, computer games, mobile networks, and/or operating systems. They ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product and work closely with executives to explain the benefits of the software.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior software programmer is likely to be skilled in "javascript," "ui," "architecture," and "json," while a typical software analyst is skilled in "software development," "troubleshoot," "test data," and "scrum."
Software analysts earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $86,986. Comparatively, senior software programmers have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $105,928.Most software analysts achieve a lower degree level compared to senior software programmers. For example, they're 11.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior software programmer vs. Software architect
Types of senior software programmer
Updated January 8, 2025
