Java Developer Job Description: Role, Responsibilities, and More

Java Developer Job Description

A Java Developer is a programmer who designs, develops, and manages Java-based applications and software. With most large organizations using Java to implement software systems and backend services, a Java developer is one of the most sought-after jobs today. 

Read on to explore key concepts like Java Developer roles and responsibilities, Java Developer skills, and what a Java Developer salary looks like.

Java Developer Job Responsibilities

A developer is responsible for several Java-related duties throughout the software development lifecycle, from concept and design to testing. The developer is required to create user information solutions through the development, implementation, and maintenance of Java-based components and interfaces.

Check out the video below that will enlighten you with various skillsets required by Java Developers in the various domains of the current IT Industry.

Java Developer Job Roles

Java developer roles will vary greatly depending on companies and job positions. Here are some typical roles and responsibilities of java developers:

• Contribute to all stages of software development lifecycle
• Design, implement and maintain Java-based applications that can be high-volume and low-latency
• Analyze user requirements to define business objectives
• Envisioning system features and functionality
• Define application objectives and functionality
• Ensure application designs conform with business goals
• Develop and test software
• Identify and resolve any technical issues arising
• Create detailed design documentation
• Propose changes to current Java infrastructure
• Develop technical designs for application development
• Develop multimedia applications
• Write well designed, testable code
• Conducting software analysis, programming, testing, and debugging
• Manage Java and Java EE application development
• Develop documentation to help users
• Transforming requirements into stipulations
• Prepare and produce releases of software components
• Support continuous improvement, investigating alternatives and technologies, and presenting for architectural review

Detailed Breakdown of Java Developer Job Description Duties

Program Architecture 

A key function that Java Developers provide during project development

Requirement Gathering

The first step to working on a project is to gather requirements from all involved, prioritize important tasks, determine the scope of work on the whole and course of action. 

Development 

In this phase, the Java developer writes the program code, tests it, and makes changes if needed 

Testing 

This duty involves testing and debugging each feature after it is completed.

Deployment

In this phase, fully functional code is transferred to a live environment

Other java developer responsibilities include Software maintenance and optimization, project management, leading and liaising, and vendor management. 

Java Developer Skills

Java Developers need an extensive range of skills, from in-depth knowledge of the basics to a thorough understanding of the current developments. Experts in Java are also expected to know how the development process works and how to transition between the environments where the code runs.  

A well-rounded Java Developer has proficiency in Java full stack developer skills and Java backend developer skills.

Some of the Java Developer key skills include:

• Proficiency in Java, with a good understanding of its ecosystems
• Sound knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Patterns and Concepts
• Familiarity with different design and architectural patterns
• Skill for writing reusable Java libraries 
• Knowhow of Java concurrency patterns
• Basic Understanding of the concepts of MVC (Model-View-Controller) Pattern, JDBC (Java Database Connectivity), and RESTful web services
• Experience in working with popular web application frameworks like Play and Spark
• Relevant Knowledge of Java GUI frameworks like Swing, SWT, AWT according to project requirements
• Ability to write clean, readable Java code
• Basic knowhow of class loading mechanism in Java
• Experience in handling external and embedded databases
• Understanding basic design principles behind a scalable application
• Skilled at creating database schemas that characterize and support business processes
• Basic knowledge of JVM (Java Virtual Machine), its drawbacks, weaknesses, and workarounds
• Implementing automated testing platforms and unit tests 
• In-depth knowledge of code versioning tools, for instance, Git
• Understanding of building tools like Ant, Maven, Gradle, etc
• Expertise in continuous integration

Other required skills of java developer include the basic knowledge of:

• JavaServer pages (JSP) and servlets
• Web frameworks like Struts and Spring
• Service-oriented architecture 
• Web Technologies like HTML, JavaScript, CSS, JQuery
• Markup Languages such as XML, JSON
• Abstract classes and interfaces
• Constructors, lists, maps, sets
• File IO and serialization
• Exceptions
• Generics
• Java Keywords like static, volatile, synchronized, transient, etc
• Multithreading and Synchronization

Educational Requirements

Qualified professionals from various backgrounds can develop a java developer skillset to become successful Java developers. Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field is preferred by many employers. Hands-on software development experience, especially in Java, will boost your chances of bagging a high-paying Java developer job. 

If you are an experienced full stack Java Developer looking for a challenging position where you can learn more and improve your skillset, consider a certification from a top-rated java developer program. 

Java Developer Job Salaries

Although Java Development is an interesting and engaging career, there is the inevitable question of salary. After all, professionals need to make a good living! So how much does a Java Developer make?

According to Glassdoor, a Java Developer with 1-3 years of experience in the United States can earn an annual average of USD 93,118. Entry level developers can earn a yearly average of USD 73,839. Furthermore, Java Developers with over six years of experience can earn a yearly average of USD 99,463, and senior developers with over ten years can make USD 104,932.

According to Indeed, an entry-level Java developer having less than one year of experience can expect to earn ₹583,835 annually, and a Java Developer with 1-4 years of experience earns an annual average salary of ₹682,657. Mid-level developers having 5-9 years of experience can be paid nearly ₹872,366 in a year, while Senior Java Developers can earn an average total compensation of ₹1,396,371 yearly. 

And finally, Java Developers in London, UK can earn a yearly average of £55,728.

Bear in mind that any given Java Developer salary depends on several factors like educational qualification, location, relevant experience, and skillset.

Your Java Developer Career Map

Being a Java Developer opens many great opportunities for you in the IT industry, from established roles to transformative and highly evolving ones. Are you still uncertain of whether you have the right mix of skills for landing a job as a Java Developer? There are a couple of ways you can acquire the necessary skills to get that job you’ve always wanted.  

For instance, you can get a job as a junior developer. This is a good starting point if your knowledge of Java isn’t as high as it could be. Once you get your foot in the door as a junior developer, you can work your way up the IT career path by gathering relevant IT sector experience. 

You can also get a firm foundation in Java, the most commonly used programming language in software development, by taking a Java Certification training course online. We’ll discuss more details about this option later.

Also, if you get additional knowledge of middleware technologies and other programming languages, you can steer your career in other interesting directions.

Bharathy K was able to restart her career after being on a break once she completed our Full Stack Java Developer Master's Program. Read her incredible comeback on our Simplilearn Full Stack Java Developer Review here.

Choose The Right Software Development Program

This table compares various courses offered by Simplilearn, based on several key features and details. The table provides an overview of the courses' duration, skills you will learn, additional benefits, among other important factors, to help learners make an informed decision about which course best suits their needs.

Program Name	Full Stack Java Developer Career Bootcamp	Automation Testing Masters Program	Post Graduate Program in Full Stack Web Development
Geo	IN	All	Non-US
University	Simplilearn	Simplilearn	Caltech
Course Duration	11 Months	11 Months	9 Months
Coding Experience Required	Basic Knowledge	Basic Knowledge	Basic Knowledge
Skills You Will Learn	15+ Skills Including Core Java, SQL, AWS, ReactJS, etc.	Java, AWS, API Testing, TDD, etc.	Java, DevOps, AWS, HTML5, CSS3, etc.
Additional Benefits	Interview Preparation Exclusive Job Portal 200+ Hiring Partners	Structured Guidance Learn From Experts Hands-on Training	Caltech CTME Circle Membership Learn 30+ Tools and Skills 25 CEUs from Caltech CTME
Cost	$$	$$	$$$
	Explore Program	Explore Program	Explore Program

Get Ready for a Java Developer Career Today!  

If you want to prepare to begin a career in Java development, you need to apply yourself towards professional development and gaining relevant skills that match the Java Developer job description. 

Visit Simplilearn to learn more about Full Stack Java development, Python certification, and the Post Graduate Program in Full Stack Web Development.

Visit Simplilearn today and take advantage of the enormous educational resources it offers. You will get that coveted Java-based career in no time!

FAQs

Q1. What does a Java Developer do?

A Java Developer is responsible for planning, designing, developing, and managing Java-based applications and software. These programmers collaborate with other software engineers to integrate Java into business software, applications, and websites.

Q2. What are the duties and responsibilities of a Java Developer?

A Java Developer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Java-based software and applications, contributing to all stages of the software development lifecycle. They thoroughly analyze user requirements, envision system features, and define application functionality. Besides, a Java Developer also proposes changes to the current Java infrastructure of the legacy applications. 

Q3. What makes a good Java Developer?

A perfect blend of technical and soft skills makes a good Java developer. You should possess analytical, problem-solving, technical, and teamwork skills to outperform others in the industry. Familiarity with popular Unit testing and Mock libraries is an advantage. Thorough knowledge of OOPs concepts, system design and architecture, JVM internals, web technologies, VCS, Java testing tools, and web frameworks is a must.

Q4. Who does a Java Developer work with?

A Java Developer is a specialized programmer who mostly works on backend services. They collaborate with fellow web developers, software engineers, and others teams to use Java to enhance business applications, software, and websites. 

Q5. What are the skills required for a Java developer?

A Java Developer should be proficient in Java ecosystems, OOPs patterns and concepts, writing reusable Java libraries, concurrency patterns, MVC patterns, JDBC, RESTful web services, popular web application frameworks, Java GUI frameworks, Ability to write clean, code versioning tools, and continuous integration. Additionally, being a strong team player with robust problem-solving skills is a must. 

Q6. Is Java development a good career?

Yes, Java development is a rewarding career as Java continues to be one of the most popular programming languages employed in mobile development, backend development, cloud-based solutions, and even trending tech niches such as IoT and Big Data.

Q7. What job can you get with Java programming?

With knowledge of Java programming, you can apply for various positions, including Junior Developer, Senior Developer, Java Android Developer, Java EE developer, Computer Architect, IT Manager, and Big Data Developer. 

Q8. How do I get a job as a Java developer?

When you possess a thorough knowledge of Java and fundamental Java project management skills, you must develop a portfolio, build a resume and apply for Java Developer positions that match your expertise. Remember, you must customize your resume to every job offer you apply for. 

Q9. Are Java developers in demand?

The huge adoption of Java across numerous organizations owing to its versatile nature has made it one of the most highly-in-demand languages worldwide. A Java developer is sought for front-end and server-side development as well as for designing independent applications and tools using Java.