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What does a software leader do?

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

A Software Leader takes responsibility for the execution of his/her /her team and the quality of the team's performance. Software Leaders ensure the cadence of their team's production process. As coaches, leaders mentor and teach the people within the team. They extend help when their team needs it to remove any possible hindrance. Also, they serve as team ambassadors or representatives.

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Software leader responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software leader resumes:

  • Manage daily scrum meetings and plan sprint for agile development.
  • Post approval, manage projects and own end to end delivery responsibility working with BA, developers & QA.
  • Manage real-time mission critical software projects including entire SDLC (design, requirements, custom development, test and integration).
  • Work in the development operations team which oversee development of tools to automate continuous deployment and server monitoring in the cloud.
  • Implement code for Linux base embedded controller, including POSIX API for portability.
  • Implement user interfaces that leverage HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
  • Used JavaScript for validations and customizations of the front-end screens and controls.
  • Design UI for static and dynamic social recommendation engine gear towards music.
  • Used Vue.js JavaScript framework as the backbone of the application, providing necessary functionality.
  • Evaluate a new graphics package, fonts for an existing product to revamp UI.
  • Ramp up new members in team with presentations training and day to day scrum calls.
  • Develop and supervise the validation of current and future OS distributions on AMD silicon for both Microsoft and Linux.
  • Modify an existing LabVIEW FPGA RS422 model in order to meet API requirements and add additional CRC calculation options.
  • Lead developer for various java development projects.
  • Maintain a mission-critical, enterprise-standard scientific/engineering data file API and associate tools.

Software leader skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Software Leaders are proficient in Java, Python, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

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

  • Java, 11%

    Implemented validation on Java Server Pages using JavaScript.

  • Python, 6%

    Implemented cloud computing processes on Linux servers for high speed data processing of big data using the Python language.

  • Cloud, 5%

    Configured the application to run on Vertical Cloud Connect (VCC), a cloud based application platform.

  • Scrum, 5%

    Used Agile with SCRUM to manage day to day tasking for a staff of up to 12 engineers.

  • GIT, 4%

    Architected and implemented worldwide Git mirror servers with automatic synchronization.

  • Linux, 4%

    Handled all of issues in the android framework, JNI and driver layer (Linux Kernel) related with NFC.

Common skills that a software leader uses to do their job include "java," "python," and "cloud." You can find details on the most important software leader responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a software leader 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 leader resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "worked on java jdk 5.0, java messaging service (jms), object oriented database using hibernate, and corba. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform software leader duties is communication skills. Software leaders responsibilities require that "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Software leaders also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed a web service application using python soap for communication with government data services. "

Creativity. software leaders are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to software leader responsibilities, because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." A software leader resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "created warehouse order and inventory management system for large multinational company. "

Detail oriented. For certain software leader responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a software leader 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 leaders do: "developed internet and intranet software using object oriented design, including java and jsp.prefer to work from home. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in software leader job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what software leaders do. Software leader 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 leader duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "developed a python based solution that would help customers to import/export the database tables and schema. "

All software leader skills

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Compare different software leaders

Software leader 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.

We looked at the average software leader salary and compared it with the wages of a senior software development engineer. Generally speaking, senior software development engineers are paid $7,768 lower than software leaders per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both software leader and senior software development engineer positions are skilled in java, python, and scrum.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software leader are more likely to require skills like "c #," "cloud," "javascript," and "software design." On the other hand, a job as a senior software development engineer requires skills like "amazon web services," "test automation," "spring boot," and "windows." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Senior software development engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $134,736. Comparatively, software leaders tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $138,104.On average, senior software development engineers reach similar levels of education than software leaders. Senior software development engineers are 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Software leader 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.

A career as a senior systems software engineer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a software leader. In fact, senior systems software engineers salary is $2,419 lower than the salary of software leaders per year.A few skills overlap for software leaders and senior systems software engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "python," and "scrum. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, software leader responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "c #," "cloud," "git," and "javascript." Meanwhile, a senior systems software engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "architecture," "matlab," "system design," and "visualization." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Senior systems software engineers earn a lower average salary than software leaders. But senior systems software engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $125,048. Additionally, software leaders earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $138,104 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior systems software engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than software leaders. In fact, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software leaders 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 leader vs. Software engineer-consultant

A software engineer consultant develops and recommends strategies to optimize a company's software engineering operations. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting extensive research and analysis to find new opportunities, performing software evaluations and risk assessments, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, and developing solutions against problem areas. Through the findings of their research, a software engineer consultant draws conclusions and recommendations that will help the company to reach their short and long-term goals and resolve issues or concerns.

On average scale, software engineers-consultant bring in lower salaries than software leaders. In fact, they earn a $10,707 lower salary per year.software leaders and software engineers-consultant both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "java," "python," and "scrum," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

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 leader is likely to be skilled in "c #," "cloud," "javascript," and "software design," while a typical software engineer-consultant is skilled in "architecture," "spring boot," "application development," and "junit."

Software engineers-consultant earn the highest salary when working in the insurance industry, where they receive an average salary of $118,185. Comparatively, software leaders have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $138,104.software engineers-consultant typically earn similar educational levels compared to software leaders. Specifically, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software leader vs. Software engineering manager

A software engineering manager oversees the team involved in computer and software development. Typically, it is their responsibility to design and create software applications in collaboration with fellow skilled engineers in the group. Their duties revolve around devising strategies and designs, producing progress reports, monitoring the documentation processes, preparing presentations, and assessing workforce performance. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to meet goals and standards while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Software engineering managers typically earn higher pay than software leaders. On average, software engineering managers earn a $16,235 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, software leaders and software engineering managers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "java," "c #," and "python. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between software leaders and software engineering managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software leader might have more use for skills like "git," "dod," "source code," and "json." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of software engineering managers require skills like "software engineering," "spring boot," "project management," and "career development. "

In general, software engineering managers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $153,920. The highest-paying industry for a software leader is the finance industry.The average resume of software engineering managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to software leaders. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of software leader

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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