What Is a Lead Programmer?
A lead programmer is, essentially, a computer programmer and engineer who has risen to the position of team manager overseeing multiple software development projects. The jobs are separated by experience and skill: every lead programmer starts out at the bottom, but not every programmer will have the chance or talent to rise to the lead role. Lead programmers also often dictate the shape of the program’s architecture, which is another way of saying the rules and properties that allow the software to function in its specific desired manner.
Lead programmers manage teams of other engineers that vary in size and scope based on their institution and function, but all lead programmers need to have strong personal communication skills in order to get the best out of their team members and effectively convey their goals to the staff. The job can also be a demanding one, so those aspiring to be lead programmers should be prepared for a variety of technically oriented tasks that require advanced knowledge in programming, software architecture, and business management and development.
How to Become a Lead Programmer
Becoming even a regular computer programmer requires specialized training, typically in the form of a bachelor’s degree, coupled with well-placed internships and hands-on experience. Ascending to the station of lead programmer means using those tools as a base and then expanding skill sets via more training and experience. The best way to get the job is to perform well at the standard programmer level and display a talent for problem-solving and a desire for advancement.
Those seeking the job should be trained in computer science, mathematics, computer engineering, programming, as well as a number of business-oriented areas, including management, finance, and more. The job weds the computer programming skills endemic to techs with the people skills found in the best managers, so it requires some skillful straddling of both worlds in order to get ahead. A big part of securing the job comes from making the right connections and proving yourself through real-world experience.
Lead Programmer Career Outlook & Salary
Lead programmers are counted with all other software engineers for the purposes of salary and employment projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The government predicts that employment in the field will grow by 21% through 2018, making the industry one of the hottest in the country. The reason is obvious: a growing number of businesses are turning to online solutions for all manner of functions that used to be handled by people or older machines, and as a result, there will be greater demand for skilled team leaders who can shepherd a team of software engineers and programmers through the process of designing and implementing valuable programs.
Salary can be a bit tougher to lock down for advanced roles, but the BLS recorded that the May 2008 median income for all computer programmers was $69,620, meaning that earnings for lead programmers stand to be significantly higher based on location, training, and experience.
