Java Developer Roles and Responsibilities

At present, Java is widely used by many tech giants. The tech giants are regularly hiring Java developers to fulfill market demand. In exchange for manpower, companies offer a high salary package for that and providing seductive offers. In this section, we will discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Java developer. Also, we will discuss the scope, salary, and path to become a successful Java developer.

Java Developer

A Java developer is a specialized programmer who collaborates (working with two or more people) with software engineers and web developers to integrate Java into applications, software, and websites. He is responsible for developing a robust code that can be easily integrated with the larger systems. Hence, he plays a vital role in the software development life cycle. He serves many duties (from designing to testing) during the software development such as design, development, and management of Java-based applications.

Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities both are different terms. These terms are proportional to each other. The role (designation) decides what duties you have to perform in an organization. While the responsibilities include functions, duties, and obligations. Let's discuss the role and responsibilities that a Java developer.

Java Developers Roles

The role of a Java developer is highly responsible. An organization categorizes the Java developer role in the following three levels:

Junior Java Developer (Lower Level)
Senior Java Developer (Middle Level)
Lead Java Developer (Higher Level)

One who is fresher or having 1- or 2-years' experience in Java or any programming language may get this position. The junior Java developer position does not require too much knowledge about Java. But one should have the basic knowledge of object-oriented programming, along with core and advanced concepts with Servlet and JSP. A little bit of knowledge about front-end development.

Anyone who has more than 5 years' experience in the working of Java technology may get this position. The senior Java developer positions are highly responsible for project development. They perform lots of responsibilities to develop the project. They work with junior level staff.

One who has more than 10 years' experience in Java may get the position. It is a highly responsible job. The lead Java developer design and recommend technical solutions for IT-related issue. The lead developer works with the senior developer and ensures the quality of the product, identifies the issues that may affect the project delivery and also monitors the junior level staff.

At the last of this section, we will discuss the road map to become a successful Java developer.

Java Developer Responsibilities

A Java developer serves the following responsibilities:

Design and implement Java application phases.
Participate in architectural and software development activities.
Conduct software analysis, testing, programming, and debugging.
Recognize the production and non-production application issues.

Java Developer Skill

The Java Developer job gives you the opportunity to work on important projects, using the latest technologies. Moreover, you have the chance to grow within a professional working environment, together with a dynamic, young, and enthusiastic team, having excellent technical skills.

We have divided the skill into two categories i.e. Technical and Professional Skill. The technical skill includes the technology-specific skill whereas the professional skill includes the common software development skill.

Professional Skills

Planning and discovery.
Designing and developing applications using the Java EE platform.
Object-oriented analysis and design using common design patterns.
Deep insight of Java and JEE internals such as memory management, transaction management, etc.
Design and develop features and modules for mission-critical applications.
Contribute in all phases of the development lifecycle.
Write well designed, testable, efficient
Ensure designs are in compliance with specifications.
Prepare and produce releases of software components.
Support continuous improvement by investigating alternatives and technologies and presenting these for architectural review.
Implementation of API.
Problem solving skills, analytical mind, and a positive attitude.
Experience with test-driven development.
Experience in the Spring, Spring Boot, and Hibernate
Excellent knowledge of Relational Databases, SQL, and ORM technologies (JPA2, Hibernate).
Knowledge of developing REST API.
Identifying risk and conducting mitigation action planning.
Results oriented and focused on meeting deliverable timelines.
Good communication skills
Problem-solving attitude
Ability to establish priorities
Teamwork and willingness to listen to others
Eagerness to learn new ideas, concepts, and technologies.

Technical Skills

Enterprise Java Bean (EJB)
XML, Xquery, XSL
Linux/Unix Windows Platform
Oracle database SQL and JDBC
Java XML Parsing, Coding
Service-Oriented Architecture
I Text for RTF Generation
Java-based Web services
Java Servlet Technology
JSP, jQuery, Ajax
Understand Java EE Architecture
Manage Persistence using JPA entities and Bean Validation
Implement business logic using EJBs
Use Java Message Service API
Implement SOAP Services using JAX-WS and JAXB APIs
Create Java Web Applications using Servlets and JSPs
Implement REST Services using JAX-RS API
Create Java Applications using WebSockets
Develop Web Applications using JSFs
Secure Java EE 7 Applications
Use CDI Beans, concurrency API, and Batch API

Road Map to Become a Java Developer

If anyone wants to become a successful Java developer, he must earn certifications in Java. There are many certifications available that a Java developer can acquire. The certification recognizes both role, responsibilities, and language proficiency. Getting a certification in Java is the license to become a Java developer. Hence, earning a certificate is important. Oracle offers the following certifications:

Oracle Certified Junior Associate: It is the foundation or entry-level program designed for beginners who have no experience in Java. You can earn this certification by qualifying for the online test and securing 65%
Oracle Certified Associate: It helps you to get a professional understanding of Java. Gaining this certification ensures that you hold the high-level skills needed to become a Java developer. To get this certificate you have to secure 65% marks in the exam.
Oracle Certified Professional: It is an advanced level certification in Java. Anyone who holds this certification shows great proficiency in Java SE. You will have to secure 61% marks in the exam to get this certification. The prerequisite for the certification is that one should hold any of the following certifications:
1. Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform, SE 6
2. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 6 Programmer
3. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer
4. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer

Certification for Java EE

Oracle Certified Professional: One who holds this certification is known as Java EE Application Developer. It recognizes the programming capabilities to develop and deploy applications using the JEE platform. You will have to secure 66% marks in the exam to get this certification.
Oracle Certified Master: One who holds this certification is known as JEE Enterprise Architect. To get the certification, you will have to secure 71% marks in the exam. The prerequisite for the certification is that one should hold any of the following certifications:
1. Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for Java Platform EE
2. Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 5 Enterprise Architect
3. Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform, EE 5

Benefits of Oracle Certifications

Professional Capability: It comes from the certification and training combinedly. It makes us more capable.
Earning Power: Earning a certificate helps us to get a higher salary package.
Job Satisfaction: The higher salary, better job opportunity, and special honors increase job satisfaction.
Increased Opportunity and recognition: Earning a certification ensures and improve professional profile or standing. It also improves self-confidence and abilities. You can get a job promotion quickly.

Java Developer Salary

The salary of a Java developer depends on the level of professionalism, which type of projects you have done, in which technology you are mastered, and the level of responsibilities. All in all, your experience is counted and it can give you a high salary package. The salary may vary according to your job location also.

According to the popular job portal, the average salary of a junior Java developer who has 0 to 2 years' experience may get $600 per year and the senior Java developer in the US may get $85000 to $115000 per year.

In India, the average salary of a Java developer is 4,96,685.00/- per year. The salary may vary according to your experience. The following graph shows the salaries pay by experience. As you earned experience your salary also increases accordingly.

Here, is a list of top MNCs who are paying salaries to their Java developer.

Scope of Java Developer

According to the latest TIOBE (The Importance of Being Earnest) index (the programming community index that indicates the polarity of programming language), Java is still rank 2^nd position.