Developer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A developer, also known as a computer programmer or software engineer, is a computer science specialist who writes computer programs. Their duties include working with clients to put together briefs for projects, building software using various programming languages and overseeing the deployment of these programs in a live environment.

Developer duties and responsibilities

A developer’s duties and responsibilities will depend on their position within a company. Entry-level developers may be tasked with only one small part of the software development life cycle (SDLC), while more senior developers will be responsible for the entirety of development. Freelance developers will spend much more of their time liaising with clients, while in big companies this may be carried out by others. A full list of possible duties and responsibilities could include the following:

  • analysing customer problems to propose software solutions
  • liaising with clients to develop briefs for computer programs
  • planning and designing computer programs and features
  • using knowledge of various programming languages to develop software according to client needs
  • rigorously testing software for bugs and implementing improvements and fixes
  • assisting clients to deploy software in their operations
  • providing ongoing technical support and designing updates as required
  • creating documentation to assist clients in the operation of software.

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a developer do?

A developer plans, designs, builds, deploys, maintains and updates computer programs. Depending on whether they work freelance or as part of a company, they may meet with clients to draw up briefs or otherwise receive their tasks from management. They then spend most of their time at the computer, writing computer code and testing program features for bugs. After a developer has finished a program, they can oversee its deployment for use by the customer and ensure its successful operation by fixing bugs and designing updates as required.

Developer skills and qualifications

Successful developers will have a range of technical competencies and skills. Which of these is most important to your organisation will depend upon the specific nature of the role you are trying to fill. You might consider asking for the following:

  • Bachelor of Computer Science preferred
  • demonstrated capability in programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, C++ or Java
  • demonstrated capability in database creation and management
  • experience in data structures and algorithms
  • ability to collaborate within a software development team using source code management software such as Git
  • rigorous approach to testing and a keen eye for bugs and errors
  • deep fluency with a variety of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
  • ability to communicate effectively with both clients and colleagues regarding programming tasks.

Developer experience requirements

Different software development roles will demand different levels of experience from candidates. Entry-level positions as junior members of a large software development team may not require any previous experience besides formal study or internship.

As positions become more senior, or the development team becomes smaller, you may require at least two to four years of previous experience working as a developer on similar projects. More experienced developers will often specialise in particular program languages or design concepts, so you can generally associate such specialisation with a more qualified, experienced candidate.

Finally, senior developers brought on to lead a team should ideally also have some management experience, as well as five to ten years working in software development.

Developer education and training requirements

While it may be possible to work as a developer without any formal certification or training, candidates who have completed a recognised course may be preferred. Many Australian universities offer a three-year Bachelor of Computer Science degree. Besides this, there are plenty of shorter courses available online offering training in specific programming languages or software engineering concepts. The important thing is to understand what specific programming skill set is required for the particular projects, and then look for a developer with those skills.

Developer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a developer is $110,952 per year. Actual salaries can vary depending on location, candidate experience, position seniority and the specific organisation.

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