Java Developer
Career information and advice on being a Java Developer

Businesses now routinely use Internet web portals to create a brand image for their business.  Their web-site usually incorporates on-line support with on-line access to product updates and support services.

A new category of on-line businesses use an Internet shop-front to sell their products and services, often taking orders and payment on-line.

In addition, business applications software is also now increasingly using web technologies and techniques for local and remote access to internal management information systems.

In most cases the web-based applications are connected to internal computer systems, although a new breed of businesses are entirely web-based with no local systems.

The increasing use of these web technologies has generated a requirement for technically aware software developers to create and manage web-based applications and the interfaces between web-based and local applications.

While there are many Internet development tools and environments, one of the most common, and one on which many others is based is the Java environment.  Hence a need for Java Developers.

Large organisations have dedicated in-house software development teams, including Java Developers and the smaller have a general purpose management, development and support team.  A smaller organisation can also outsource software development and support to small dedicated companies or freelance and contract developers.

The duties and responsibilities of a Java Developer will therefore vary according to the size of the organisation and the size and location of the software development team.

Your Functions May Include

In general a Java Developer is responsible for Web development functions.  In more senior positions, the Java Developer may undertake systems design and management and development of a Project Team.

In an in-house team, the reporting line is usually a direct report to a Team Leader , or for the more senior positions a Project Manager .   The Java Developer is likely to be responsible for a small subset of a development, or for a specific focus area, for example database access or user security.

In the smaller organisation, the Java Developer is likely to have a wider range of responsibilities, including some outside the Java Development environment.  Different reporting lines will apply, perhaps to a financial manager or business owner.

As a freelance or contract worker, a Java Developer will need the full range of business management functions in addition to technical expertise, complemented by demonstrable experience.

In all cases, a large part of the job’s scope requires highly developed interpersonal skills as the Java Developer is expected to interpret functional and design specifications and to liaise with other team members and internal and/or external clients.

A Java Developer would need to comply with internal company codes and policies, particularly those relating to the software development lifecycle and change management procedures. 

A Java Developer will need to keep:

• abreast of national and international technical developments in the Java environment;
• fully aware of new trends in Web development; and
• monitoring for new software tools and techniques.

This will require use of on-line technical and information sources and frequent training and education in new tools and techniques.

At a senior level, the Java Developer would be expected to:

• manage and motivate a software development team; and
• train and increase staff skills to provide consistently high standards.