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Software project leader skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

7 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Brock LaMeres Ph.D.,

Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical software project leader skills. We ranked the top skills for software project leaders based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.3% of software project leader resumes contained software development as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a software project leader needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 software project leader skills for your resume and career

1. Software Development

Software development is the mechanism by which programmers create computer programs. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a framework for developing applications that follow technological needs and consumer requirements. It consists of many stages. The SDLC establishes an international standard that software developers can use to enhance and create their programs. It provides a well-defined framework for software developers to pursue in the production, maintenance, and design of premium quality software. The aim of the software development process is to create high-quality software on time and within budget.

Here's how software project leaders use software development:

Performed and led a variety of software development activities including requirement analysis, design development, and testing.
Coordinated software development requests, created spec template for new application development, procedures and related documentation.

2. Project Management

Here's how software project leaders use project management:

Perform project management, technical research, alternative analysis, utility evaluation, and Return on Investment (ROI) analysis.
Direct offshore development teams to implement new features, enhancement and bug fixes with JIRA for project management.

3. Scrum

Scrum is a lean structure for communicating, designing, and promoting complex products, with a focus on programming development. It has been applied to a variety of areas, including manufacturing, testing, new technology, and marketing techniques. Scrum is a simple framework that helps people, organizations, and teams generate value by providing many solutions to complicated problems.

Here's how software project leaders use scrum:

Followed Agile methodology and participated in daily SCRUM meetings.
Manage multiple, concurrent projects and project resources, using proven methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile and Scrum.

4. C

Here's how software project leaders use c:

Developed Windows GUI code utilizing JAVA (Swing threads, J2EE, JDBC) communicating with C embedded code with CMMI/SEI.
Team member for writing embedded software in C for a hand held device for electronic breast palpation.

5. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how software project leaders use c++:

Cross Cultural Management - Successfully managed C++ software development projects on Windows based platform in distributed system.
Planned, created and maintained software development effort of an interactive, discrete event simulation product developed in MS Visual C++.

6. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how software project leaders use java:

Developed Java Script utility objects for common client side validations, history handling, window management and menus management.
Developed internal property management software written in Java running on Tomcat using a MySQL database for data management.

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7. Software Project

Here's how software project leaders use software project:

Led creation of software projects for automating daily operations of telephone company customers.
Drive applications, systems, database, and third party software projects and support efforts towards achieving intended business result.

8. Configuration Management

Configuration management is a technical system of management controls that includes decisions, actions, and approvals that are applied throughout the life cycle of a program or system and that maintain the consistency of its performance, functional and physical attributes from the conceptual phase to production and finally to post-production support.

Here's how software project leaders use configuration management:

Prepare proposals, develop embedded real time systems and perform configuration management of the software and hardware line of products.
Managed the development of the project's Change and Configuration Management implementation and plan.

9. RTOS

Here's how software project leaders use rtos:

Resurrected embedded/Linux RTOS system for connecting Logic Analyzers together including boot code for DRAM controllers during system bring-up.
Evaluated six different Real-Time Operating Systems and selected pSOS+ RTOS for Intel [ ] CAU project.

10. SQL Server

Here's how software project leaders use sql server:

Developed a system to replicate data from AS/400 to SQL Server and use DTS Packages to load data into the data-warehouse.
Upgrade existing UI Microsoft Access database systems and complete the process of moving the data to SQL Server.

11. Earned Value Management

Here's how software project leaders use earned value management:

Utilized MS Project to track earned value management/EVM and PERT/Gantt.

12. JavaScript

Here's how software project leaders use javascript:

Designed web pages with HTML and JavaScript for the embedded web servers on products.
Coded client side scripting code in JavaScript along with some backend development in PL/SQL.

13. Data Analysis

Here's how software project leaders use data analysis:

Developed data analysis tools for Windows and UNIX using MSVC++, Cygwin, MatLab, & Perl.
Supported data analysis, software builds and releases for the entire datalink subsystem models and handcode.

14. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how software project leaders use linux:

Set up the Orion ground software systems with RedHawk Linux.
Designed and implemented device driver codes and sip proxy for Carrier Access series of VoIPGateways on Embedded Jungo linux.

15. Embedded Systems

Here's how software project leaders use embedded systems:

Designed and developed debugger systems and diagnostic software for embedded systems.

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What skills help Software Project Leaders find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on software project leader resumes?

Dr. Brock LaMeres Ph.D.

Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Director, Montana Engineering Education Research Center (MEERC), Montana State University

All companies are looking for some experience beyond the classrooms. This can be through internships or doing research at their universities. But students still need to show an acceptable GPA to show employers that they understand the fundamentals of their discipline.

What soft skills should all software project leaders possess?

Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.

Associate Professor of CIS, J. Bradley Oxley Professor of Computer Information Systems, University of Tulsa

All the soft skills are important, but a few are absolutely critical in today's hybrid workforce. With the uncertainty of COVID delaying the return to the office, many companies are embracing hybrid work and/or 100% remote for some or all of their employees. Today's employees must be able to effectively communicate over a range of different modalities, both synchronously and asynchronously, while still being able to actively build and maintain relationships as they participate in one or more teams of coworkers, customers, and other stakeholders. Today's IT workers need to be honest with themselves on the work environments they can and cannot succeed within.

What hard/technical skills are most important for software project leaders?

Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.

Associate Professor of CIS, J. Bradley Oxley Professor of Computer Information Systems, University of Tulsa

Students graduating with Information Systems and related degrees usually have little problem finding employment upon graduation. However, the pandemic upended that paradigm for some. For those who recently graduated and are still looking for employment, keep the faith and develop your technical skills. Developers should show prospective employers that they are familiar with agile programming methodologies and modern DevOps stacks and processes. Data analysts should be focused on presenting their ability to work with structured and unstructured data, effectively query data using SQL & NoSQL, and, most importantly, provide actionable insight by making data accessible and relatable to decision-makers at all levels of an organization. Those interested in cloud architecture and cyber security careers have to keep current on their skills and certifications. Cloud engineers need to stay aware of the constant changes happening at the major providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) and, as with all other IT fields, provide tangible evidence of your skills via real projects that you have worked on. Prospective cyber security analysts should first focus on identifying their first specialization because there are too many security roles to learn them all at once, especially as beginners. Two popular entry-level cyber security jobs include information security consultant and Security Operations Center (SOC). Both of these roles require a sound foundation in networking fundamentals, vulnerability identification and mitigation, and an understanding of organizationally relevant security and privacy frameworks and regulations.

What software project leader skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Tao Ju

Vice Dean for Research & Professor, Washington University in St. Louis

Graduates should research their targeted industries, companies and positions to identify which skills are in highest demand. Every job description has required qualifications and a desired qualifications section. The focus should be on trying to develop those desired qualifications. This could include learning a new programming language or working towards a certification (EIT, LEED, Six Sigma, etc.). Having said that, the specific skills themselves are less important than demonstrating the drive, passion and curiosity to continue developing. Do something. Take a course, volunteer, take on a short-term project, or teach yourself new software. The more graduates have developed their technical and transferable skills (leadership, communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem solving, etc.), the more competitive they will be as they enter the job market, and the quicker they will make a difference in an organization.

What type of skills will young software project leaders need?

Dr. Ted Junseok Song

Associate Professor of Engineering, John Brown University

As it always has been, the ability to communicate with others would be a critical skill for college graduates. Additionally, it will be more necessary for professionals to work cross-culturally, as the U.S. is becoming more diverse.

What technical skills for a software project leader stand out to employers?

Bob Sweeney Ph.D.

Associate Professor, University of South Alabama

Strong database skills including big data and SQL are always valued by local employers hiring our IS majors. While not technical, written and verbal communications skills are always important.

Do you want to know more?

List of software project leader skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a software project leader resume and required skills for a software project leader to have include:

Software Development
Project Management
Scrum
C
C++
Java
Software Project
Configuration Management
RTOS
SQL Server
Earned Value Management
JavaScript
Data Analysis
Linux
Embedded Systems
User Interface

Software Design
Unix
UML
R
SharePoint
Application Development
MATLAB
Debugging
Object Oriented Programming
JQuery
Test Cases
UAT
Design Reviews
Software Releases
Windows NT
Sprint

API
XML
Software Applications
Embedded C
Development Environment
Management System
QA
CSS
PC
GUI
C Net
GPS
Ethernet
HTML
DB2
WCF

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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