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Java Developer Roles &
Responsibilities
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Java Developer Roles & Responsibilities – BMC Software | Blogs [Link]
May 13, 2020
9 minute read
Stephen Watts
What does a Java developer do?
A Java Developer is responsible for the design, development, and
management of Java-based applications. Because Java is used so widely,
particularly by large organizations, the daily roles vary widely, but can
include owning a particular application or working on several at one
time.
Let’s look at the role of a Java developer.
Developer vs engineer?
Firstly, are we talking about Java developers or Java engineers?
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Engineers vs devs is a common debate in the IT world. As a swiftly
changing �eld, many IT experts say titles don’t matter – the job
description and responsibilities do.
While a Java developer/engineer may be focused solely on app
development that uses the Java language, a title like software developer
or software engineer could mean working with multiple languages or on
speci�c customer-centric software that may not be Java-based.
In many cases, a Java developer’s job description goes well beyond mere
computer programming. Many roles require that Java developers:
Embrace taking part in full software development lifecycles (SDLCs)
Strive to improve the overall product by researching alternative
ways and technologies to achieve the overall goal
(Explore the related role of application developer.)
What is Java?
Before we dive into the speci�cs of a Java developer role, let’s start with
the basics. Java is a programming language, widely considered to be one
of the most popular in the world. Nine million developers use Java
regularly. Not to be confused with JavaScript, Java itself is also a platform
for application development, which many programming languages are
not.
(Learn why Java & Python are the most popular programming
languages.)
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In the world of computer programming, Java is one of the older
languages. Sun Microsystems developed the language in 1995 based on
the syntax of C and C++. Today, Java is part of Oracle.
Java is a concurrent, class-based, and object-oriented programming
language. It was initially designed to have as few implementation
dependencies as possible, which led to the term “write once, run
anywhere” (WORA). This means that compiled Java code can run on all
platforms with no need for recompiling the code.
Because of its inherent linguistic design, Java has many bene�ts that
behoove companies:
Java-based applications are known for their speed & scalability.
Java’s e�cient processing speeds are used in software, computer
games, and mobile apps. (Indeed, Java is the programming
language of choice for Android.)
Java is a statically typed language, so that it brings a much greater
degree of safety and stability to its programs compared to other
popular languages. This safety and stability is a necessity for
companies that require major bandwidth in their software and
apps.
No talent shortage. New programmers often start learning Java
early because it’s easy to break into, though it does take time to
master. Due to its ease of use, there are many Java developers for
companies to hire.
Based on recent data, Java is used in 2.6% of all websites whose server-
side programming is known. While the language doesn’t seem to be used
by many sites, it is used by sites with high tra�c almost exclusively. Well-
known websites that rely on Java include LinkedIn, Chase,
[Link], and [Link]. Both [Link] and [Link] recently
began using Java as well.
Java is an in�uential language, as many languages have descended from
it, including:
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PHP
Python
Scala
JavaScript
Interestingly, PHP, a Java descendant, is used in over 82% of websites
whose server-side programming is known.
While many smaller companies may opt to start building programs using
a di�erent language, as they grow and require more speed and stability,
they often switch to Java programming. Twitter is a perfect example.
Peers & reporting
As a Java developer, you’ll likely be part of the IT team within an
organization. Depending how your enterprise is structured, there could
be a single IT team, or many smaller IT teams that works on individual
projects. This second method is often used in Agile environments.
The Java developer may report to a senior project manager or overall IT
manager, who then reports up the chain to the CIO or an otherwise
senior leader in IT.
When looking for talent, employers often hire Java Developers based on
their experience. Job postings list designations, typically:
Entry-level Java developers
Mid-level developers
Senior Java developers
Each of these designations comes with di�erent responsibilities. One Java
dev, early in her career, may be assigned to work on program
architecture, while a senior-level Java Developer may be responsible for
the overall functioning of the project, which includes ensuring seamless
architecture and managing teams.
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A typical team that a Java Developer works on likely includes some of the
following titles:
Project Managers
Design Leads
Software Engineers
Depending on the requirements, some of these roles might overlap or be
consolidated into one.
If the Java Developer is senior-level, they may be responsible for team
oversight as well as liaising with project stakeholders and beta testers.
While not usually part of the core development team, project
stakeholders and beta testers have a profound in�uence on the project,
so having a Senior Java Developer as a go-between can be critical to
overall success.
Roles & responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of a Java developer/engineer will vary
greatly depending on the company and speci�c position. Here are some
typical responsibilities:
Designing, implementing, and maintaining Java applications that
are often high-volume and low-latency, required for mission-
critical systems
Delivering high availability and performance
Contributing in all phases of the development lifecycle
Writing well-designed, e�cient, and testable code
Conducting software analysis, programming, testing, and
debugging
Managing Java and Java EE application development
Ensuring designs comply with speci�cations
Preparing and producing releases of software components
Transforming requirements into stipulations
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Support continuous improvement
Investigating alternatives and technologies
Presenting for architectural review
Now let’s look at a more detailed breakdown of job expectations and
responsibilities:
(Prepare with these software development best practices.)
Program architecture
Project stakeholders understand the overall vision of what needs to be
accomplished and need the skills of a Java Developer to complete their
project. Program architecture is a key function that Java Developers
provide during this process.
Gather requirements
Before a Java Developer can begin working on a project, they must
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gather requirements from all involved in the planning process.
This might include working closely with a stakeholder, Project Manager,
or Senior Java Developer, and many times includes all three. Discussions
likely revolve around prioritizing important tasks �rst, determining overall
scope of work and course of action.
Development
In the development phase, a Java Developer begins the process of
writing the code, ultimately resulting in a completed program. The steps
to get to this result are typically completed in sections of code called a
feature, allowing for testing and amending as needed.
Testing
As each feature is completed, the Java Developer will test it and debug.
The goal here is to ensure each feature works the way it is intended.
Deployment
During deployment, code is transferred to a live environment. It should be
fully functional for deployment. Any changes have to be made in the
testing environment, which requires reverting and redeployment.
To complete the above phases of program architecture development, a
Java Developer should be well versed in one or many of the following
standard or enterprise skills:
Enterprise Java Bean (EJB)
J2EE framework
XML, Xquery, XSL
Linux/Unix Windows Platform and Solaris
Oracle database SQL and JDBC
Java XML Parsing, Coding
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Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)
Perl and Python
I Text for RTF Generation
Java-based Web services
Java Servlet Technology
Maintain & optimize systems
The Java Developer’s work doesn’t end just because the program is
complete. Java Developers are expected to maintain active systems and
identify opportunities for e�cacy within the current software platform.
The list of software maintenance includes:
Providing software updates
Ensuring all hardware specs are met
Adding or removing users
Adding new features
Preparing End User Documentation and Training
Maintaining an active testing environment
Looking for code smells and optimizing code
Identifying other programs that could enhance current systems
These are some of the ways that a Java Developer will be expected to
maintain and optimize a client’s current program or enterprise system.
Each of these responsibilities requires the developer to have a unique skill
set. For instance:
Identifying enhancements and bringing them to project
stakeholders may require the Java Developer to function more like
a salesperson, pitching new ideas to the client.
Preparing end user documentation and training can require hours
of dedicated time using presentation and video editing software.
This function of a Java Developer is almost a stand-alone job by
itself and may require the developer to work with a team of people
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to deploy training modules.
A new Java Developer should expect to put just as much time into
maintenance and optimization as they do into program architecture,
perhaps more.
Project management
While a Java Developer might work with or report to a Project Manager,
it’s important that they themselves have project management skills. Some
of the skills Java Developers should possess include:
Pre-planning and discovery
Implementing a working timeline
Ensuring deadline delivery
Reporting
Release planning
These are some very basic project management skills required for the
job. There may be more depending on the project and the developer’s
role on the team.
During Pre-planning and Discovery, a Java Developer should be an
instrumental part of the conception of the project, o�ering insight as to
what can be accomplished and when. This will lead to a working timeline
and agreed upon deadlines that should be adhered to.
Java Developers can use project management tools to o�er reports that
show stakeholders a high-level view of how close the project is to
completion. Tools like burn-down reporting can provide insight here.
In the Release Planning phase, the project has been tested and
debugged. The Java Developer has moved on to thinking about things
like the timing of the release and market conditions.
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Leading & liaising
A Senior Java Developer will be tasked with several roles and
responsibilities that o�er ownership of the project and results.
One such responsibility is being a key member of the team who liaises
with stakeholders and beta team testers to ensure a seamless end-user
experience. By securing feedback from testers and visionaries, the Senior
Java Developer can add, remove, and debug features necessary to the
project’s overall success. They are also viewed as a team leader who may
delegate these tasks to other developers who focus solely on program
architecture.
The Senior Java Developer who leads the team must understand the
vision, the overall scope, and how to achieve the end result. Then, they
must get the right people in place to see the project through to
completion and deliver according to scope and deadlines.
Vendor management
Senior Java Developers come up with new ideas and get approval from
clients or stakeholders to act on them. This may lead them to become the
key contact person for vendors who have services that enhance the
current project or o�er speci�c expertise.
Skilled Vendor Management professionals do the following tasks that
would also apply to Java Developers in a lead role:
Conceptualize Vendor Management strategy
Develop selection criteria and processes
Prepare an RFQ questionnaire and other bid documents
Evaluate o�ers and negotiate with vendors
Select vendors and maintain relationships
Employ a strategy for vendor accountability
Java Developers must learn to wear many hats if they plan to forge a
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career path in the �eld.
Education requirements
An ideal Java developer can have a range of background requirements.
The most common is a B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Computer
Engineering, or a related �eld. Hands-on software development
experience, particularly in Java, would augment a candidacy; signi�cant
experience could replace the need for formal education.
Many companies also seek speci�c experience in:
Java-based web services
Relational databases
SQL and ORM
Test-driven development (TDD)
Career pathing
There are many certi�cations that a Java Developer can acquire. These
certify both Java language pro�ciency and roles and responsibilities. For
those individuals career pathing in Java development, certi�cations are
important.
Oracle o�ers a number of ways for a Java Developer to advance their
career through certi�cation and training programs. Training is centered
around application development and fundamentals of program
architecture. Certi�cation has three levels:
Associate
Professional
Master
Certi�cation pathways include Oracle Certi�ed Associate, Java SE 5/SE 6
for entry-level programmers or programming students. Certi�cation
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courses end with a 115-minute exam that tests skills learned.
The next level of certi�cation is for Oracle Certi�ed Professional Java
Programmers, a designation earned when mid-level programmers go
through training and complete a 180-minute assessment.
An Oracle Certi�ed Master, Java SE 6 Developer certi�cation requires 12
months of being an Oracle Certi�ed Professional Java Programmer.
Applicants must also satisfactorily complete a programming assignment
over a 12-month period where they write code for a small business
system according to technical requirements. Also, they must submit to a
two-hour exam through Oracle.
The future of Java programming
According to our survey results, more organizations are turning to Java as
the language of choice to help modernize their applications. Not
surprisingly, demand for Java Developers is expected to grow between
now and 2024 by up to 19%. The median salary for US-based Java
Developers is over $70,000 and goes up depending on career level,
experience, and location.
Apart from hiring Java Developers who can support application
modernization across industries, organizations must understand that
Java is di�erent from other mainframe applications. It runs in Java virtual
machines (JVMs), which manages its own resources and can be deployed
anywhere. If JVMs consume too many resources, it can impact the
performance and availability of other workloads.
With over 20 years as one of the mainstays in programming languages,
Java’s past is signi�cant, which leads the industry to question its longevity.
The latest version, Java 9, is scheduled for a long-awaited release in fall
2017. Java has consistently ranked as the most popular language
worldwide for over a decade. If you’re getting started, it’s a great place
to be. If you’re an expert, you won’t hurt for work. Diversifying your
programming language skills could lead to even more lucrative roles, as
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you’re able to program across languages.
Related reading
BMC DevOps Blog
Java vs Golang: What’s The Di�erence?
10 Must-Read Books for Java Developers
Top Java Interview Questions—Answered
What Is a Database Reliability Engineer (DBRE)?
API/Developer Portals: How To Create Great API Portals
These postings are my own and do not necessarily represent BMC's position, strategies, or opinion.
See an error or have a suggestion? Please let us know by emailing blogs@[Link].
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About the author
Stephen Watts
Stephen Watts (Birmingham, AL) contributes to a variety of publications
including, Search Engine Journal, [Link], IT Chronicles, DZone, and
CompTIA.
View all posts
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