What does a software engineering supervisor do?
Software engineering supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software engineering supervisor resumes:
- Lead team in development of a custom reservoir simulation data mining and visualization tool.
- Provide support with debugging issues.
- Execute test automation with PERL and shell scripting.
- Work closely with product management, QA, and product support.
- Review BMS software codes, propose how to rebuild new software architecture for BMS.3.
- Work extensively with PHP developers in making changes to PHP scripts on all Linux servers.
- Work with QA department with the post build process regarding smoke testing changes and release to QA environment.
- Maintain computer systems for local area network of laboratory computers, including IBM PC and Hewlett Packard/Apollo unix workstations.
- Develop custom Linux drivers for B2C2's proprietary satellite IP receiver ASIC and provide a user-level media data interface.
- Develop a Java base x-ray image capture system to determine proper location of target position to high voltage x-ray source.
- Provide leadership support in planning for data clean up, data conversion, data mapping, and network/connectivity system architecture.
- Develop a new autonomous web product personalization interface in JAVA that incorporates JSON classes for interfacing with JavaScript objects.
- Research, design and implement a compiler parser generator for UNIX and Macintosh using C/C++ that can generate compiler semi automatically.
- Work with users during UAT to ensure smooth functioning of the project.
- Research, design and implement a compiler parser generator for UNIX and Macintosh using C/C++ that can generate compiler semi automatically.
Software engineering supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Software Engineering Supervisors are proficient in Software Development, C++, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Software Engineering Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Software Development, 17%
Conduct business needs analysis and translate them into written business requirements for software development.
- C++, 12%
Develop programs using C++, C#, Python, and scripting process for production, as well as Reverse Engineering.
- Java, 8%
Led a team of engineers in gathering requirements and developing a new order placement system with florists in Java and Oracle.
- Linux, 5%
Released to Linux and Mac servers and environments that host our application and web configuration scripts.
- Architecture, 5%
Required extensive work with Vendor, Architecture and Local teams to meet legal spin deadline requirements and stay within budget.
- Software Applications, 3%
Developed software applications and tests that improved the efficiency, usability, and quality of manufacturing tests.
"software development," "c++," and "java" are among the most common skills that software engineering supervisors use at work. You can find even more software engineering supervisor responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a software engineering supervisor 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 engineering supervisor resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "improved business operations by implementing code reviews and detailed root cause analysis for customer reported issues. "
Communication skills. Many software engineering supervisor duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a software engineering supervisor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software engineering supervisor responsibilities rely on communication skills: "designed and implemented pc based software for motor controller communications using visual c++. "
Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of software engineering supervisors is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday software engineering supervisor duties, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "invent, enhance, and provide productionsupport of multiple web applications utilizingcold fusion web technology and oracledatabase. "
Detail oriented. software engineering supervisor responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact 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." This resume example shows what software engineering supervisors do with detail oriented on a typical day: "developed simulation software applications and test plan documents including detailed test scripts for software verification. "
Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for software engineering supervisor responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of software engineering supervisors all the time, as "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." An excerpt from a real software engineering supervisor resume shows how this skill is central to what a software engineering supervisor does: "core skills: exceptional interpersonal communication, program/product management. "
Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to software engineering supervisor responsibilities. Much of what a software engineering supervisor does relies on this skill, seeing 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." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of software engineering supervisors: "create apache reverse proxy solution with mod_proxy_html for unifying multiple domains under a single-domain without using sub-domains. "
The three companies that hire the most software engineering supervisors are:
Compare different software engineering supervisors
Software engineering supervisor vs. Software consultant
A software consultant is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the technological content and system applications of an organization, ensuring its efficiency and optimal performance. Software consultants design software systems, following clients' specifications and business needs. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology systems, programming languages, and system codes to create software processes and manage the network systems. A software consultant runs multiple diagnostic tests and creates troubleshooting reports for technical support reference.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, software engineering supervisor responsibilities require skills like "development environment," "debugging," "technical leadership," and "git." Meanwhile a typical software consultant has skills in areas such as "web application," "pl/sql," "c," and "user interface." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Software consultants tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,230. In contrast, software engineering supervisors make the biggest average salary, $129,569, in the automotive industry.software consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than software engineering supervisors. In fact, software consultants are 4.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Software engineering supervisor 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real software engineering supervisor resumes. While software engineering supervisor responsibilities can utilize skills like "development environment," "git," "development life," and "software quality," software development managers use skills like "aws," "c #," "project management," and "tcp ip."
On average, software development managers earn a higher salary than software engineering supervisors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, software development managers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $159,811. Whereas software engineering supervisors have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $129,569.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Software development managers tend to reach similar levels of education than software engineering supervisors. In fact, they're 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software engineering supervisors in the next 3-5 years?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.
Professor/Program Manager, Seminole State College of Florida
Software engineering supervisor 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software engineering supervisors are more likely to have skills like "software applications," "development environment," "mvc," and "development life." But a software architect is more likely to have skills like "cloud," "python," "api," and "scrum."
Software architects earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $119,142. Comparatively, software engineering supervisors have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $129,569.When it comes to education, software architects tend to earn higher degree levels compared to software engineering supervisors. In fact, they're 9.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Software engineering supervisor vs. Software 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.
Types of software engineering supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025
