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What does a software development engineer lead do?

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

Lead software development engineers take responsibility for providing technical mentorship and guidance to a team consisting of software engineers. The engineers implement codes with high quality in a test-driven and agile environment. They develop software development plans and assign related tasks to their team members. It is their job to lead different aspects regarding application development such as requirements application, and database design, implementation, and gathering. Also, they develop access/usage and sales analytic reports.

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Software development engineer lead responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software development engineer lead resumes:

  • Manage and track issues and provide liaison between stakeholders, customers, management, development and QA in an agile environment.
  • Lead and coordinate developers across geographically distribute scrum teams.
  • Manage application delivery projects using background in SDLC and project management methodology.
  • Establish and direct overall QA effort for own areas including API, UI and scenario-base tests.
  • Develop and test XML, PERL, Java solutions for data migration feature.
  • Lead a global team of developers in successfully moving applications from a UNIX to a new Linux environment.
  • Develop and test object-oriented C++ configuration management solution in multi-thread UNIX environment.
  • Incorporate XML and transformation technologies to provide flexible migration architecture that validate rules and reduce transformation errors during upgrades.
  • Own print tests for core API, stress, cluster, RPC, and BVT.
  • Programme software primarily in C/C++ and Matlab.
  • Verify XML requests and responses in database logs.
  • Develop UI code involving Javascript, Jquery & Ajax.
  • Develop Unix Korn shell wrapper scripts to accept parameters and schedule the processes using Autosys.
  • Create configuration files, consumable HTML email component with templates, and establish common process going forward.
  • Used selenium web driver with Java heavily to test mobile, web base application with different browsers i.e.

Software development engineer lead skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Software Development Engineers Lead are proficient in Java, API, and Python. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Software Development Engineers Lead that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 18%

    Designed and implemented first Java web-based customer order inquiry system in IT

  • API, 5%

    Designed modern API surface area for the Windows RT developer run-time to drive connected experiences.

  • Python, 5%

    Designed cross-language processing engine, allowing python plug-ins to interact with legacy engines.

  • Architecture, 5%

    Played important role in design and development of common connector architecture, which enables providing common integration components for different broker.

  • AWS, 5%

    Enhanced the Java-based test framework to test components built on the cloud-based AWS (Amazon Web Services).

  • GIT, 4%

    Configured and managed source code using Git and resolved code merging conflicts in collaboration with application developers.

Most software development engineers lead use their skills in "java," "api," and "python" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential software development engineer lead responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a software development engineer lead to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what software development engineers lead do because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software development engineer lead resume shows how software development engineers lead use analytical skills: "used a web service and an encrypted xml file for checking data in and out of a network database. "

Communication skills. Many software development engineer lead duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a software development engineer lead will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software development engineer lead responsibilities rely on communication skills: "cloud based communications mobile android / ios cybersecurity / delphi xe5 custom animated android gui with images designed in adobe cs5. "

Creativity. This is an important skill for software development engineers lead to perform their duties. For an example of how software development engineer lead responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a software development engineer lead: "developed procurement trailer program which handles inventory at job sites using c#, compact framework, and sql server. ".

Detail oriented. For certain software development engineer lead responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a software development engineer lead rely on this skill, 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." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what software development engineers lead do: "developed and tested object-oriented c++ configuration management solution in multi-threaded unix environment. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in software development engineer lead job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what software development engineers lead do. Software development engineer lead 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 software development engineer lead duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "developed and tested xml, perl, java solutions for data migration feature. "

See the full list of software development engineer lead skills

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Compare different software development engineers lead

Software development engineer lead vs. Software architect

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.

We looked at the average software development engineer lead salary and compared it with the wages of a software architect. Generally speaking, software architects are paid $5,151 lower than software development engineers lead per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both software development engineer lead and software architect positions are skilled in java, api, and python.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, software development engineer lead responsibilities require skills like "test automation," "test cases," "test results," and "api testing." Meanwhile a typical software architect has skills in areas such as "cloud," "software development," "database," and "javascript." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Software architects earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $119,142. On the other hand, software development engineers lead are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $115,348.On average, software architects reach similar levels of education than software development engineers lead. Software architects are 3.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Software development engineer lead 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.

Lead engineer positions earn lower pay than software development engineer lead roles. They earn a $34,630 lower salary than software development engineers lead per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Software development engineers lead and lead engineers both require similar skills like "java," "api," and "python" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, software development engineer lead responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "aws," "test automation," "scrum," and "test results." Meanwhile, a lead engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "c #," "javascript," "database," and "project management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Lead engineers earn a lower average salary than software development engineers lead. But lead engineers earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $110,872. Additionally, software development engineers lead earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $115,348 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Lead engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than software development engineers lead. In fact, they're 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software development engineer leads 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.

Software development engineer lead vs. Senior/lead developer

A lead developer typically works for a software company. They are responsible for designing, developing, and debugging code. They lead a software team and communicate all team activities to their management. They must have creative expertise, great communication skills, and an aptitude for teamwork.

On average, senior/lead developers earn higher salaries than software development engineers lead, with a $7,651 difference per year.By looking over several software development engineers lead and senior/lead developers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "java," "api," and "architecture." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a software development engineer lead is likely to be skilled in "python," "aws," "git," and "test automation," while a typical senior/lead developer is skilled in "javascript," "object oriented programming," "spring boot," and "json."

Senior/lead developers earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $136,565. Software development engineers lead earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $115,348.Most senior/lead developers achieve a similar degree level compared to software development engineers lead. For example, they're 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software development engineer lead vs. Design, development

Design development engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for developing a detailed design and engineering document for a construction project. These engineers are required to review engineering drawings from vendors and recommend changes when necessary, as well as the bill of materials. They must assist drafters and engineering designers in developing engineering design and construction by using computer-assisted design equipment and software. Design development engineers should also participate in activities related to quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC).

Designs, development tend to earn a lower pay than software development engineers lead by an average of $26,331 per year.According to resumes from software development engineers lead and designs, development, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "api," and "architecture. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "python," "aws," "git," and "test automation" are skills that commonly show up on software development engineer lead resumes. On the other hand, designs, development use skills like javascript, design development, c #, and cad on their resumes.In general, designs, development earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $99,965. The highest-paying industry for a software development engineer lead is the technology industry.designs, development reach lower levels of education compared to software development engineers lead, in general. The difference is that they're 5.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of software development engineer lead

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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