How to Be Principal Web Developer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 7, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The rise of web development as a profession can be attributed to the increase in demand for websites among businesses and organizations. As the internet has become an integral part of the modern world, more and more companies seek to create their own web presence. This has resulted in an increased need for web developers who are capable of designing and constructing user-friendly, visually appealing, and well-functioning websites.

In turn, this has led to the emergence of the principal web developer role, which is responsible for overseeing the entire web development process from start to finish. This includes planning, designing, coding, testing, and debugging websites and web applications to meet client requirements. The principal web developer must possess a deep understanding of programming languages and web development technologies, as well as the ability to manage a team and work with clients.

Steps How to Become

Obtain the necessary educational qualifications. To become a principal web developer, you should have a degree in computer science, web development, software engineering or a related field.
Get relevant work experience. Aspiring principal web developers need to have relevant experience in web development, such as developing applications and websites, and working with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web development languages.
Acquire web development skills. You should be familiar with coding languages and be able to create basic applications and websites. You can gain this knowledge through online courses and tutorials.
Learn the latest technologies. Technology is constantly changing, so its important to stay up to date on the latest trends and development tools.
Take leadership courses. A successful principal web developer will need strong leadership skills, so taking a course or two to develop your leadership skills can be beneficial.
Get certified. Many employers look for candidates with certifications from organizations such as Microsoft or Oracle.
Build a portfolio. Showing potential employers your previous work is a great way to demonstrate your skills and experience.
Seek out job opportunities. Once you have the necessary qualifications and experience, you should start looking for job opportunities as a principal web developer. You can search online job boards or contact web development companies directly to inquire about open positions.

Reliable and efficient web development requires a thorough understanding of the fundamentals. First, a web developer must be familiar with the latest technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, in order to create a fully-functional website. Second, they must be competent in using frameworks such as Angular and React to ensure that the website is secure and user-friendly.

Finally, they must use industry-standard tools such as version control systems, code editors, and debugging tools to ensure that code is well-organized and bug-free. By following these principles, web developers can create reliable, efficient websites that are pleasing to both users and search engines.

You may want to check Principal Software Developer, Principal Software Configuration Manager, and Principal Telecommunications Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Design and develop web applications, websites, and services.
Manage and maintain existing web applications and websites.
Create web-based user interfaces and navigation systems.
Collaborate with other developers and designers to create a cohesive user experience.
Identify and troubleshoot technical issues and problems.
Develop user-friendly web applications with responsive design features.
Write code that is secure and compliant with industry standards.
Monitor performance and suggest optimizations for web applications and websites.
Stay up-to-date on the latest web development trends and technologies.
Create test plans and reports to ensure quality assurance.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and related web technologies
Knowledge of client-side scripting and JavaScript frameworks such as Angular, React, or Vue
Proficiency in using code versioning tools such as Git
Experience with server-side languages such as PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, . Net, etc.
Proficiency in cross-browser development and debugging
Ability to create and manage content for multiple devices
Understanding of web standards, accessibility and security protocols
Knowledge of database technologies such as MySQL, MongoDB, etc.
Experience with responsive design and mobile application development
Ability to troubleshoot and debug web applications
Well-versed in SEO principles and best practices
Understanding of software project management processes and principles

Having a strong technical background is essential for becoming a successful Web Developer. To be successful, one must have a good understanding of coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. knowledge of web frameworks such as React and Angular is necessary to build complex applications.

Furthermore, understanding the fundamentals of web design and user experience is key to developing websites that are both visually appealing and easy to use. All of these skills are needed to develop web applications that run smoothly and efficiently. Having a mastery of these skills will give developers the confidence to create applications that are well-designed, secure, and most importantly, user-friendly.

Principal Technical Trainer, Principal Sourcing Manager, and Principal Compliance Officer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What is your experience in web development?
What programming languages are you most comfortable with?
How would you approach creating a new web application from scratch?
Describe a challenging web development project that you have worked on.
What techniques do you use to ensure the reliability and scalability of web applications?
What tools have you used to optimize the performance of web applications?
How do you keep up with the latest trends and technologies in web development?
What strategies have you employed to troubleshoot and debug web applications?
How do you manage competing priorities when working on multiple web projects?
How do you handle feedback or criticism from clients or stakeholders?

Common Tools in Industry

Version Control System (VCS) (eg. Git). A system that tracks changes to a file or set of files over time, allowing users to access different versions of the file, undo changes, and collaborate with other users.
Content Management System (CMS) (eg. WordPress). A platform that allows users to create and manage content on a website or application.
Database (eg. MySQL). A system that stores and organizes data in a structured format.
JavaScript Framework (eg. React). A library of pre-written JavaScript code that helps developers quickly build web applications.
Automated Testing Framework (eg. Selenium). A tool that automates user interface testing for web applications.
Development Environment (eg. Visual Studio Code). A software suite that includes a code editor, debugger, and other tools for writing and debugging code.

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): An international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of computing technology.
International Webmasters Association (IWA): An international organization providing education, professional development, and networking opportunities to web professionals.
International Web Association (IWA): A global network of professionals dedicated to advancing the web as a platform for innovation.
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C): An international community that develops open standards to ensure the long-term growth of the Web.
Web Standards Project (WaSP): A volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion of web standards, best practices, and accessibility.
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF): An open international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and its smooth operation.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): A professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.
JavaScript Open Source Foundation (JSF): A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of JavaScript as a cross-platform development language.
Society for Technical Communication (STC): A professional association providing resources and support for technical communicators around the world.
World Wide Web Conference (WWWC): An annual international conference on web technologies, with a focus on the latest developments in web design and development.

We also have Principal Designer, Principal Process Engineer, and Principal Software Test Engineer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

HTML. HyperText Markup Language - the standard markup language used to create web pages and applications.
CSS. Cascading Style Sheets - a style sheet language used to define the look and layout of a web page.
JavaScript. A scripting language used to create interactive web pages and applications.
AJAX. Asynchronous JavaScript and XML - a technique used to create dynamic web applications by sending data to and from a web server.
DOM. Document Object Model - an application programming interface used to manipulate HTML documents.
JSON. JavaScript Object Notation - a lightweight data-interchange format used for exchanging text information.
APIs. Application Programming Interfaces - a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications.
Responsive Design. A method of web design that allows web pages to be adapted to the screen size and orientation of the user's device.
Web Accessibility. The process of making web content accessible to people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.
UX Design. User Experience Design - the process of designing products and services to meet the needs of users as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Principal Web Developer?

A Principal Web Developer is an experienced web developer responsible for leading development teams and overseeing the design, implementation, and maintenance of web applications.

What skills does a Principal Web Developer need?

A Principal Web Developer needs advanced technical abilities in web development languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Node.js, as well as experience with databases and web application frameworks. They should also have strong leadership and communication skills.

How much experience is required to be a Principal Web Developer?

Generally, a Principal Web Developer should have at least five years of professional experience in web development and programming.

What type of environment do Principal Web Developers work in?

Principal Web Developers typically work in collaborative teams in an office setting. They may also work remotely or in a hybrid environment with some remote and on-site work.

What can a Principal Web Developer expect to earn?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Principal Web Developer is $106,000 per year. Salaries may vary based on experience, location, and industry.