What does a software development manager do?
A software development manager is an individual who manages teams of software developers that design and create software applications and web services for clients. Software development managers should delegate duties and establish development standards for the development team as well as create a budget and timeline for the project. They must meet with management to discuss how software applications can achieve business objectives. Once the software has been developed, software development managers must train technical and non-technical end-users. They must also be skilled in different programming languages such as HTML, SQL, and JavaScript.
Software development manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software development manager resumes:
- Plan and manage release schedules, upgrades and patches, maintenance windows.
- Justify, evaluate, hire, and manage offshore contractors to supplement staff for a large HTML form coding project.
- Manage workflow of projects through JIRA, ensuring that all necessary reviews are perform and projects are successfully release to production.
- Manage all phases of application design--from requirements gathering, coding and prototyping through system testing, integration and deployment.
- Manage many infrastructure upgrade projects nationwide.
- Manage resource allocation for Lawson ERP implementation project.
- Project include Linux base systems implement using object orient methodology in Java and C++.
- Develop API software applications in C/C++/C #for processing of real-time client data.
- Used the windows SDK using html workshop to interface to various assembly's in the Win32 API.
- Perform programming and code reviews as needed, as well as troubleshooting (including debugging and data analysis).
- Work on web application development as well as client-server applications using Java and Microsoft technologies.
- Read in the data using AJAX calls to json files.
- Used JavaScript, VBScript for client side and server side data validations.
- Experience developing intranet and internet ASP.NET web sites using web forms, JScript, and CSS.
- Help support the Linux development VM (DevOps) by writing scripts and tools to improve teams productivity.
Software development manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Software Development Managers are proficient in Java, AWS, and Architecture. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Software Development Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 17%
Worked on web application development as well as client-server applications using Java and Microsoft technologies.
- AWS, 9%
Staffed and managed the migration of all of 3GTMS's production and staging servers from a traditional hosting center to AWS.
- Architecture, 8%
Guided crucial development effort to add Intelligent Directories, Common Information Models to networking systems developing Policy Base Network Management architecture.
- Project Management, 4%
Incorporated business case justification for projects and delivered results using structured project management techniques and IEEE standards for software development.
- Database, 4%
Developed many database applications that communicated with the ERP system, enhancing manufacturing vision to resolve problems and increase manufacturing efficiency.
- Cloud Computing, 3%
Co-authored and presented four proposals for mobile-friendly cloud computing products.
Common skills that a software development manager uses to do their job include "java," "aws," and "architecture." You can find details on the most important software development manager responsibilities below.
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a software development manager to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Software development managers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assist in the development of inventory software using java and mysql. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform software development manager duties is detail oriented. Software development managers responsibilities require 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." Software development managers also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "project included linux based systems implemented using object oriented methodology in java and c++. "
Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for software development managers to perform their duties. For an example of how software development manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a software development manager: "core skills: exceptional interpersonal communication, program/product management. ".
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what software development managers do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to software development manager 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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical software development manager tasks: "created work and task management solution using java and pl/sql. "
Analytical skills. Another common skill required for software development manager responsibilities is "analytical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of software development managers all the time, as "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." An excerpt from a real software development manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a software development manager does: "developed java based client-server gateway between remedy client, dispatch1 and progressive database. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a software development manager does. Software development manager responsibilities require this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." This resume example highlights how software development manager duties rely on this skill: "designed and developed a java edi library to handle the communications and messaging between the ehr system and the edi services. "
The three companies that hire the most software development managers are:
- Amazon1,856 software development managers jobs
- Oracle986 software development managers jobs
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
419 software development managers jobs
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Compare different software development managers
Software development manager vs. Manager applications development
An applications development manager is responsible for keeping businesses running smoothly and effectively through planning, coordinating, and overseeing all activities related to software applications. You will oversee the maintenance, upgrade, and support of existing applications and systems required for the smooth day-to-day operations of the business. Other tasks that you will likely perform include providing estimates for project timeline and cost, overseeing feasibility research on software applications, and diagnosing and troubleshooting program errors. As an applications development manager, you are also responsible for recommending software products and services that will benefit the company.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software development manager are more likely to require skills like "aws," "tcp ip," "database," and "product development." On the other hand, a job as a manager applications development requires skills like "ongoing maintenance," "infrastructure," "digital transformation," and "development projects." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Managers applications development earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $130,492. On the other hand, software development managers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $159,811.managers applications development tend to reach lower levels of education than software development managers. In fact, managers applications development are 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Software development manager vs. Principal software engineer
A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that software development manager responsibilities requires skills like "architecture," "c #," "project management," and "product development." But a principal software engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "git," "http," and "strong problem-solving."
Principal software engineers may earn a lower salary than software development managers, but principal software engineers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $154,293. On the other hand, software development managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $159,811.In general, principal software engineers achieve similar levels of education than software development managers. They're 3.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software development managers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Software development manager vs. Contract software engineer
Senior software engineers are experienced employees who would usually take the lead in projects related to software development. They are in charge of determining the needs of the organization, checking whether there are feasible solutions to challenges, and creating plans for the development of a software solution. They provide a sound analysis of data collected during the testing phase of the software and address any problems during the software development phase. Once the software has been developed, they then ensure that it works well and that it addresses the needs and expectations of the users.
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 manager is likely to be skilled in "aws," "architecture," "c #," and "project management," while a typical contract software engineer is skilled in "http," "python," "git," and "pl/sql."
Contract software engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to software development managers. Specifically, they're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software development manager vs. Senior software engineer
Types of software development manager
Updated January 8, 2025
