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What does a software engineer-team lead do?

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

A software engineer team lead manages a team through the entire process of software development. They analyze the project, identify errors, and conduct troubleshooting. They also ensure that all deadlines are met and that work is conducted efficiently. They must create weekly reports.

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Software engineer-team lead responsibilities

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

  • Manage code builds and server deployments over multiple test and production environments using Jenkins.
  • Manage a team of developers responsible for development, testing debugging, and maintenance of the PBUSE software application.
  • Incorporate existing technology such as Win32 API, C++ pointer to gain performance and to save project time line.
  • Co-Le UNIX C++ infrastructure software maintenance team.
  • Develop programs to post-process Linux cluster reservoir simulation jobs and create HDF5 files.
  • Facilitate daily scrum meetings, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and sprint retrospectives.
  • Used JIRA for process management, tracking flow, defect management and change management.
  • Maintain team lead status and often play scrum master for those with an agile setup.
  • Advocate for HATEOAS in the design of the API and try to implement it whenever possible.
  • Develop the view-controller components using Servlets/JSPs, AngularJS, JavaScript, CSS, HTML and DHTML.
  • Serve as key player in, and developer of, extensive user customization tool for the UI.
  • Develop wrappers for UI applications (running on handle devices) to access information in these files.
  • Team compose of myself and another senior level java engineer, a designer, and a junior developer.
  • Involve with project planning, allocation of resources, estimations and have periodic status meetings with developers using JIRA.
  • Support Jenkins continuous integration system.

Software engineer-team lead skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Software Engineers-Team Lead are proficient in Java, Architecture, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

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

  • Java, 13%

    Developed Java based Video Conferencing client application to replace existing MFC client application.

  • Architecture, 7%

    Participated in Architecture Review meetings along with the System Architect and helped in resolving architectural issues and developed performance benchmarks.

  • Software Development, 7%

    Collaborated with software development, integration and security engineers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions.

  • Web Application, 5%

    Created and executed automated test scripts to test web application using standalone web application framework.

  • Database, 5%

    Utilized MySQL Workbench to design and implement a normalized database structure with foreign key constraints to maintain referential integrity.

  • Scrum, 5%

    Organized Scrum ceremonies, removed impediments leading to early delivery.

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

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a software engineer-team lead to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software engineer-team lead resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "led team in development of a custom reservoir simulation data mining and visualization tool. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling software engineer-team lead duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." According to a software engineer-team lead resume, here's how software engineers-team lead can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "demonstrated knowledge- windows xp, java, c++, javascript, tomcat web server, and customer communication. "

Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of software engineers-team lead is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday software engineer-team lead duties, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "supported a variety of in-house web applications for financial services, data replication and inventory control. "

Detail oriented. For certain software engineer-team lead responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a software engineer-team 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 engineers-team lead do: "led code reviews to ensure all produced code met company standards and objected-oriented (oo) best practices. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in software engineer-team lead job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what software engineers-team lead do. Software engineer-team 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 engineer-team lead duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "net, java and com server-side, middleware and ui components for core product/customized solutions. "

All software engineer-team lead skills

The three companies that hire the most software engineer-team leads are:

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Compare different software engineers-team lead

Software engineer-team lead vs. Lead software developer

A lead software developer is responsible for creating and designing software applications and systems to support business functions and client requirements. Lead software developers analyze specifications to build efficient applications, conduct multiple quality testing, and enhance the user's interface. They also coordinate with the design engineers to modify and improve the features of existing software applications for optimal performance. A lead software developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in considering the current technology trends to meet demands.

If we compare the average software engineer-team lead annual salary with that of a lead software developer, we find that lead software developers typically earn a $9,669 lower salary than software engineers-team lead make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both software engineer-team lead and lead software developer positions are skilled in java, architecture, and software development.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software engineer-team lead are more likely to require skills like "database," "git," "mvc," and "good design." On the other hand, a job as a lead software developer requires skills like "javascript," "python," "net core," and "hr." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Lead software developers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $115,917. In contrast, software engineers-team lead make the biggest average salary, $123,925, in the telecommunication industry.lead software developers tend to reach similar levels of education than software engineers-team lead. In fact, lead software developers are 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Software engineer-team lead vs. Team lead engineer

A team leads engineer is in charge of spearheading and overseeing the efforts of an engineering team, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Although the duties may depend on one's industry of employment, it typically includes designing and developing systems according to project requirements, setting objectives and construction guidelines, delegating tasks, managing budgets and schedules, and monitoring the workflow, performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, as a team leads engineer, it is essential to encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while enforcing the company's safety standards and regulations.

On average, team lead engineers earn a $9,874 lower salary than software engineers-team lead a year.A few skills overlap for software engineers-team lead and team lead engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "architecture," and "database. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real software engineer-team lead resumes. While software engineer-team lead responsibilities can utilize skills like "software development," "web application," "scrum," and "git," team lead engineers use skills like "python," "c #," "infrastructure," and "san."

Team lead engineers earn a lower average salary than software engineers-team lead. But team lead engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $117,918. Additionally, software engineers-team lead earn the highest salaries in the telecommunication with average pay of $123,925 annually.In general, team lead engineers achieve lower levels of education than software engineers-team lead. They're 5.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software engineer-team 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 engineer-team 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.

An average software architect eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of software engineers-team lead. The difference in salaries amounts to software architects earning a $10,335 lower average salary than software engineers-team lead.software engineers-team lead and software architects both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "architecture," and "software development," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software engineers-team lead are more likely to have skills like "project management," "mvc," "good design," and "test cases." But a software architect is more likely to have skills like "cloud," "python," "aws," and "javascript."

Software architects earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $119,142. Software engineers-team lead earn the highest pay from the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $123,925.When it comes to education, software architects tend to earn similar degree levels compared to software engineers-team lead. In fact, they're 4.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Software engineer-team 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 engineers typically earn lower pay than software engineers-team lead. On average, lead engineers earn a $39,814 lower salary per year.According to resumes from software engineers-team lead and lead engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "architecture," and "database. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A software engineer-team lead uses "software development," "web application," "scrum," and "application development." Lead engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "python," "c #," "javascript," and "troubleshoot. "In general, lead engineers earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $110,872. The highest-paying industry for a software engineer-team lead is the telecommunication industry.lead engineers reach similar levels of education compared to software engineers-team lead, in general. The difference is that they're 2.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of software engineer-team 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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