Technical Leader

Also known as a tech lead, the technical leader is a computer professional playing a crucial role in the technical direction of a project: they are responsible for guiding and overseeing the technical aspects of a company’s web development projects. In addition to being a software developer, they are also a technical team leader, which, as the title suggests, involves a leadership role within the team. Thus, their role also involves facilitating communication and collaboration among team members.

Being a technical leader entails several tasks, including:

• Analysing user needs;
• Supervising and coordinating development activities;
• Resolving technical issues;
• Training and mentoring team members;
• Ensuring quality and managing technical risks.

To excel as a tech lead, one must develop strong technical expertise in software, website and application development. Additionally, solid organisational and project management skills are essential. A tech lead must also possess leadership abilities to help solve problems and drive the project forward. Lastly, good communication skills are a must in order to effectively explain complex technical concepts to different audiences.

Interested in becoming a technical leader? The path typically involves various levels of education:

• Associate’s degree (2 years of higher education) in computer science (BTS/HND or DUT technology degree in computer science);
• Bachelor's degree (3 years of higher education) in computer science or bachelor's degree from a reputable institution;
• Master's Degree (5 years of higher education) in specialised fields, from a university or a reputable institution.

Furthermore, remember that gaining professional experience during your academic journey can greatly enhance your CV when pursuing a role as a tech lead and will help you stand out from other candidates.

As a technical leader, you can evolve into increasingly strategic and/or technical roles, such as:

• Software Architect;
• Technical Director;
• Agile/Scrum Master;
• Infrastructure Expert.

The technical leader focusses on the technical aspects of development and guides the team on technical objectives to achieve. The project manager, on the other hand, is responsible for the overall management of the project, including planning, tracking the overall budget and communicating with all project stakeholders.

The tech lead is responsible for the technical direction of a project and guides the development team through it. The lead developer, on the other hand, mentors their team of developers to achieve a project’s goals.

What does a tech lead's workday look like? It may involve team meetings to discuss a project’s progress, objectives and expectations. They might also participate in brainstorming sessions to solve technical problems and conduct code reviews to ensure its quality.

The salary of a technical leader varies depending on experience, geographic location, company size and industry. In France, the average salary for a tech lead can range from €50,000 to €70,000 per annum.