What does a software director do?
Software director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software director resumes:
- Manage staff of architects, analysts and UI design personnel.
- Lead configuration, and optimization of open source embed Linux distribution on the OMAP-L processor to achieve optimal boot performance.
- Hire and manage blended team, design and implement test lab leveraging existing infrastructure and execute application test plans.
- Extend department s bandwidth into new technologies, including cloud computing, compute continuum and data sharing and application software.
- Establish and maintain SQA testing laboratory, prepare acceptance, certification, regression, and Y2K test plans and product specifications.
- Perform browser compatibility testing and user acceptance testing (UAT )
- Lead migration to web-enable java front end, on time delivery.
- Set up and maintain QA test lab for testing in control environment and reproducing bugs seen in field.
- Follow scrum methodology to create stories and tasks, and estimate effort used for scheduling, planning and tracking.
- Work on all aspects, including requirements collection, architecture, coding and QA of a completely customize staffing software system.
- Work across organizations to ensure quality is well understand and that SQA plans and direction are in line with business needs.
- Develop Linux prototypes for receiver architecture.
- Establish UAT environment and define process for internal/external end-users.
- Develop portfolio & equity rankings solution in agile- scrum methodology.
- Perform system testing including functional, integration and regression testing.
Software director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Software Directors are proficient in Software Development, CRM, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Software Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Software Development, 16%
Restored customer confidence in Boeing's ability to perform Software development by working directly with the customer program executives.
- CRM, 8%
Administer Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft SharePoint, learning management system and software applications.
- Java, 8%
Redesign and development of a next generation Linux based platform (Java, Eclipse IDE) for medical integration products.
- Cloud, 8%
Implemented automated reporting of instruments to Cloud based database.
- Product Management, 5%
Key tasks included revitalizing the Product Management, Architecture, Development & Delivery.
- Lifecycle Management, 5%
Provide Software Lifecycle Management and CMMI pilot deployment.
Common skills that a software director uses to do their job include "software development," "crm," and "java." You can find details on the most important software director responsibilities below.
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a software director to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what software directors do because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Additionally, a software director resume shows how software directors use creativity: "directed a team that developed an inventive, flexible ivr with java based front-end web application that greatly eased further customizations. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform software director duties is interpersonal skills. Software directors responsibilities require that "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." Software directors also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "core skills: exceptional interpersonal communication, program/product management. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of software directors is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday software director duties, as "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "created software architecture group that fostered collaborative problem solving and dissemination of common software architecture solutions and concepts. "
Detail oriented. A big part of what software directors do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to software director responsibilities because "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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical software director tasks: "recommended structured programming based on object oriented programming design. "
Analytical skills. Another crucial skill for a software director to carry out their responsibilities is "analytical skills." A big part of what software directors relies on this skill, since "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." How this skill relates to software director duties can be seen in an example from a software director resume snippet: "implemented soa, java, .net, oracle dbms, big data and analytics solutions. "
Communication skills. While "communication skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to software director responsibilities. Much of what a software director does relies on this skill, seeing as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of software directors: "introduced cloud based application initiatives for saas , unified communication ucaas and web collaboration. "
The three companies that hire the most software directors are:
- SMX Convention Center51 software directors jobs
- Honeywell8 software directors jobs
- Spectrum5 software directors jobs
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Compare different software directors
Software director vs. Senior systems software engineer
A senior systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software director are more likely to require skills like "crm," "cloud," "product management," and "lifecycle management." On the other hand, a job as a senior systems software engineer requires skills like "python," "architecture," "scrum," and "code reviews." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Senior systems software engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $125,048. Comparatively, software directors tend to make the most money in the start-up industry with an average salary of $160,403.On average, senior systems software engineers reach similar levels of education than software directors. Senior systems software engineers are 1.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Software director vs. Senior software development engineer
A senior software development engineer specializes in leading the efforts in designing and developing software and information systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing existing computer systems, conducting regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting, testing new designs, and performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of operations, improving them to achieve optimal performance. Furthermore, as a senior software development engineer, it is essential to monitor and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real software director resumes. While software director responsibilities can utilize skills like "crm," "cloud," "product management," and "software products," senior software development engineers use skills like "python," "web services," "git," and "scrum."
Senior software development engineers may earn a lower salary than software directors, but senior software development engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $134,736. On the other hand, software directors receive higher pay in the start-up industry, where they earn an average salary of $160,403.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior software development engineers tend to reach higher levels of education than software directors. In fact, they're 5.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software directors in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Software director vs. Software development manager
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from software director resumes include skills like "crm," "cloud," "business development," and "oem," whereas a software development manager is more likely to list skills in "architecture," "project management," "tcp ip," and "web services. "
Software development managers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $159,811. On the other hand, software directors are paid the highest salary in the start-up industry, with average annual pay of $160,403.When it comes to education, software development managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to software directors. In fact, they're 3.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Software director vs. Director of software development
A director of software development is primarily in charge of overseeing the workflow and the workforce involved in the entire software development process. Their responsibilities also include creating strategies for optimal performance, coordinating with different teams and departments to identify strengths and weaknesses, implementing training and workshop programs, and liaising with external agencies, including key clients. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach new heights.
Types of software director
Updated January 8, 2025
