This document provides an overview of different classifications for Java developers based on their skills and experience levels. It describes vertical classifications such as Junior, Middle, Senior, Architect, Lead, Manager, and Principal. It also describes horizontal classifications like Core Java Geeks, Optimization Nerds, Legacy Legends, Frameworks Hipsters, and Full-stack Magicians. For each classification, it outlines typical skills and probable career growth paths. The overall message is that a team of developers with diverse skills and classifications is most effective.

1. Java developers
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2. About me
{
“First name”: “Taras”,
“Last name”: “Slipets”,
“Occupation”: [
“Software Engineer”,
“Tutor”
],
“E-mail”: “taras.slipets@gmail.com”,
“LinkedIn Profile”: “http://
www.linkedin.com/
pub/taras-slipets/
48/466/516”,
“Interests”: [
“Music”,
“Skiing”
]
}
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3. World of Java
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4. Enterprise
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5. Legacy systems
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6. Projects from scratch
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7. Current labor market
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Hey, I’m Java
developer!
Are you open for
job opportunities?

8. The Java Hero
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9. 2 ways of classifying
• “Vertical” classification
• “Horizontal” classification
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10. “Vertical” classification
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Junior
Middle
Senior
Architect
Lead
Manager
Principal
…

11. Enthusiastic Junior
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12. Skills set
• Passionate about learning and self-
improvement
• English level – intermediate or higher
• Basic knowledge of Java Core
• Basic understanding of enterprise software
(SW) architecture
• Understanding of OOP paradigm
• SW engineering theory awareness (GoF
patterns, SOLID, DRY, TDD, etc.)
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13. Hardworking Middle
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14. Skills set
• Strong knowledge of Java Core
• Strong understanding of practical usage of SW
engineering practices
• Intermediate or advanced knowledge of Java
Enterprise technologies stack (Spring, Hibernate,
ActiveMQ, PostgreSQL)
• Understanding of SW lifecycle
• Practical experience in build tools usage
• Understanding of SW development
methodologies (Waterfall, RUP, Scrum, Kanban)
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15. Master Senior
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16. Skills set
• Expert in Java Core
• Understanding of pros and cons SW
engineering practices usage
• Advanced knowledge of Java Enterprise
technologies stack and practical experience in
concrete stacks usage
• Advanced knowledge about entire SW build
and delivery infrastructure
• Strong communication and mentoring skills
• Good understanding of business domain
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17. Beyond classical ladder
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18. Principal
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19. Skills set
• Expert in Java-based technologies stack
• Strong practical expertise in different
technologies stacks usage and theirs pros and
cons
• Strong communication and mentoring skills
• Advanced understanding of business domain
and business problem-solving orientation
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20. Software Architect
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21. Skills set
• Expert in Enterprise technologies stack
beyond Java world
• Expert in both SW engineering theory and
practice (Formalization, Specification,
Modeling, Reporting, Performance, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of business domain
• Strong communication, mentoring and
teaching skills
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22. Solution Architect
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23. Skills set
• Expert in Enterprise SW technologies
• Expert in both SW engineering and business
domain
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Strong communication, mentoring and
teaching skills
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24. Release Engineer
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25. Skills set
• Strong knowledge of enterprise technologies
stack beyond Java world
• Strong knowledge in SW lifecycles and delivery
mechanisms
• Expert in SW development, build and
deployment tools (IDEs, Maven, Jenkins,
VCSes, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of sharing tools and Issue
tracking systems (Confluence, JIRA, OTRS)
• Strong problem-solving skills
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26. Team Lead
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27. Skills set
• Personal authority within team
• Excellent knowledge of technical SW
development area
• Advanced knowledge in SW lifecycles
• Expert level in knowledge sharing tools and issue
tracking systems
• Expert in practical KPIs measurements
• Problem-solving skills
• Strong business needs and prioritization
understanding
• Excellent communication and conflict reslolving
skills
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28. Delivery Manager
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29. Skills set
• Expert knowledge in SW lifecycles and delivery
mechanisms
• Expert level in knowledge sharing tools and
Issue tracking systems
• Expert in practical KPIs measurements and
project lifecycles
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Strong business needs and prioritization
understanding
• Strong communication skills
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30. Project Manager
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31. Skills set
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• Highly organized and multi-task
• Great leadership and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent communicator
• “How and when” negotiation
• Business domain-oriented
• Expert in practical project and team KPIs
measurement
• Expert in SW development approaches
• Excellent problem-solving and risk management
• Ready to dive into necessary technical details of
project

32. R&D Manager
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33. Skills set
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• PM++
• Strategical planning
• Expert in practical SA & RM
• Keeping track of SW industry trends and
practical implementation’s pros and cons of
SW engineering techniques

34. and even further…
• CTO
• CEO
• Guru
• Storyteller
• …
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35. Why do we need all that info?
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36. Understanding of growth path
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37. “Horizontal” classification
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38. Core Java Geeks
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39. Core Java Geeks
• Skills
– Deep Java platform knowledge
– Problem solving
– Passionate about research and investigation
– Excellence in overall source code quality
• Most probable growth path
– Principal engineer
– Team leader
– Software/Solution architect
– R&D manager
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40. Optimization Nerds
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41. Optimization Nerds
• Skills
– Deep expertise in different SW areas even beyond
Java
– Perfectionistic way of thinking/working
• Most probable growth path
– Principal engineer
– Release engineer
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42. Legacy Legends
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43. Legacy Legends
• Skills
– Practical expertise in wide range of Java enterprise SW
stack
– Deep knowledge about evolution of Java-based SW
and trends
– Strong domain knowledge
– Problem-solving
• Most probable growth path
– Principal engineer
– Team leader
– Delivery manager
– Solution architect
– R&D manager
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44. Frameworks Hipsters
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45. Frameworks Hipsters
• Skills
– Practical expertise in wide range of Java enterprise
SW stack
– Awareness of most cutting-edge technologies and
trends in Java SW industry
– Passionate about professional self-development
• Most probable growth path
– Principal engineer
– Solution architect
– Project manager
– R&D manager
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46. Full-stack Magicians
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47. Full-stack Magicians
• Skills
– Experts in entire SW development lifecycles
– Passionate about professional self-development
– Problem-solving oriented
– Good communication and conflict-resolution skills
• Most probable growth path
– Principal engineer
– Software/Solution architect
– Release engineer
– Delivery manager
– R&D manager
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48. In real life…
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49. The TEAM wins!
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50. Thanks for your
attention!