If you want to develop a digital product, you will definitely work with different types of developers.
While there’s no “official” list of developers and job descriptions, there are some roles that have become increasingly popular and in high demand in the tech industry. So, if you have a project in mind, it’s important to understand the various types of developers available and what they do.
Here are 12 different types of developers that are currently sought after in the market:
1. Web Developers
First up, we have web developers. You might have hired one before (or are thinking about it) to help build your website or web app.
Web developers wear a lot of hats, like coding the site’s navigation, making sure it’s accessible, designing the layout, and even some SEO elements. That’s why they’re usually split into three types: front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers.
Front-end Developers
Front-end developers are like the artists of the digital world. They’re the ones who make websites look great and feel interactive. Basically, if you see it or click on it when you’re visiting a site, a front-end developer has a hand in creating that experience.
Their job isn’t just about coding; they need to really understand how humans interact with machines. They need to balance aesthetics with functionality, ensuring that the user experience is smooth and seamless.
To do this, they should be fluent in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. When it comes to frameworks, they’ll often use tools like AngularJS, React, and Vue.js. Plus, they usually collaborate with back-end developers and graphic designers to complete the job.
Hiring a frontend web developer in the Philippines ranges from $15 to $40, according to Upwork.
Back-end Developers
While front-end developers focus on creating seamless user experiences, back-end developers are the masterminds working behind the scenes on the server side of websites.
If we may say so, your website would not be alive without your backend developers. They are the ones who create the infrastructure and logic that powers your applications.
Their expertise in languages like JavaScript (Node.js), Python, Java, and PHP is crucial for building solid server-side architecture. They often use frameworks such as Laravel, Express, Django, and Ruby on Rails to get the job done.
If you want to hire a backend web developer in the Philippines, their average rate is about $15 per hour.
Full-Stack Developers
A full-stack developer is what they call the jack-of-all-trades in the development world. They’re skilled at both user interface and server-side functions, meaning you can hire one person to tackle both your website and app creation needs.
These devs can handle everything from how your project looks and feels on the front end to the nuts and bolts of server-side development. If you are to hire a full-stack web developer, ensure they are equipped with the tech stack you need for your project. Common tech stacks include MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js) and MEAN (MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, Node.js).
As full-stack developers are in high demand. If you want to hire one from the Philippines, they usually charge around $20 per hour.
Note: We still recommend extra man (or woman) power when you have a complex project. Full-stack developers are a great choice for small-scale or startup projects.
2. Mobile App Developers
Do we really need an introduction to mobile developers?
Since smartphones emerged, the mobile app industry has exploded into vast marketplaces like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. These developers create apps for iOS, Android, and other platforms.
Mobile devices evolve yearly, so more businesses are creating mobile apps to offer users the best experiences. App developers are in high demand, so it’s smart to include them in your hiring strategy if you’re considering expanding on mobile.
Considering the variety of mobile platforms out there, you’ll want to hire developers who specialize in each one. The main differences between Android, iOS, and cross-platform developers come down to the coding languages they use.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Android developers: They create and support Android apps for smartphones and tablets using Java and Kotlin.
- iOS developers: They build and maintain apps for Apple devices. iOS development is often easier to learn. They use Swift, Apple’s native language.
- A cross-platform developer, or multi-platform developer: They create a single codebase for both Android and iOS using languages like Flutter, saving time and money compared to native apps, though each method has pros and cons.
3. Embedded Systems Developers
Embedded developers, or embedded software engineers, might not be as common as other types of software developers, but that just makes them even more in demand!
These devs play a key role in creating and managing hardware like electronics interfaces, IoT devices, drivers, home appliances, and smartphones. Proficient in C++, Assembly, and Java, they write code for machines across various industries, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Their role includes developing real-time operating systems (RTOS), drivers, and firmware to implement communication protocols and make sure devices are secure. This job demands a solid grasp of computer architecture, electronics, and system programming concepts.
If you need this type of developer, the average salary for embedded software engineers in the Philippines is about $13 per hour. Given their technical expertise, it’s definitely worth the investment.
4. Game Developer
Game developers are in high demand these days, and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s for mobile, computers, or consoles, they’re the ones who bring our favorite games to life.
While it sounds exciting to be creating games all day, turning a concept into reality involves a lot of hard work. Game development has different roles, like programmers, 3D graphics artists, and those working on music and sound effects.
When it comes to online gaming, especially massively multiplayer games, developers deal with backend server and database demands that can rival the biggest e-commerce sites.
Developing software for games requires knowledge of 3D-rendering tools and animation-related software. Plus, these devs are skilled in programming languages like Java, C#, and C++ and game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
In the Philippines, you can hire game developers for $12 to $40 per hour, depending on the complexity of your project and their level of experience.
5. Data Scientists
With the rise of the web and software, we’re seeing heaps of data piling up from various operations. Enter the data scientist: a math whiz with a computer who spots patterns in all that info.
Data scientists are basically mathematicians or statisticians who also code. They create and run software programs that collect, sort, and make sense of data. You’ll often find them diving into AI-based statistical analysis of big data, working with machine learning, predictive modeling, and data visualization.
Being a data scientist isn’t just about the technical stuff—they also need to communicate complex findings for those without a technical background. This means visualizing data and presenting it in a way that highlights valuable insights and aids decision-making.
In most development teams, data scientists are in high demand to make complex data understandable for non-technical stakeholders. But you can outsource one for your team from the Philippines at an average rate of $10 to $60 per hour.
6. DevOps Developers
In the whirlwind world of software development, collaboration and automation are key. You will see DevOps developers orchestrating the harmony between the development and operations systems teams.
DevOps developers unite development and operations teams to ensure smooth infrastructure for CI/CD pipelines. They handle testing, deploying, and monitoring to enhance the development cycle. They’re skilled with cloud apps like AWS, OneDrive, and GitHub and understand back-end development well.
Being skilled in today’s DevOps tools is a bonus, too—think Kubernetes and Docker for containerization, Puppet for managing configurations, and Jenkins for automation. When it comes to web development, the whole DevOps process also makes sure the web server has the right resources available and is set up correctly for the application.
DevOps developers in the Philippines usually go for a median rate of $15 per hour.
7. Desktop Developers
Desktop developers are among the older developer specialties and are less common in modern software development careers than emerging specialties.
They typically build applications for specific operating systems, so their work reflects the market shares of platforms like Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux. When strong desktop functionality is needed over mobile accessibility, these developers have the expertise to deliver.
Desktop developers have a deep understanding of operating system APIs and services, allowing them to maximize desktop capabilities. Essential skills include coding expertise and familiarity with GUI toolkits like XAML, Gtk, WinForms, and Cocoa. While desktop software runs locally, modern applications may use the Internet for updates and cloud storage.
8. Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Also known as quality assurance developers, or SDETs, test your software to ensure it’s both functional and user-friendly before it ever reaches the end-user. They create automated tests and systems with cutting-edge QA testing tools to catch issues early on.
SDETs use technologies like Python, Ruby, and Selenium to write software that verifies system quality. Plus, they partner closely with developers to keep the continuous integration (CI) pipeline humming, automating testing and building with every code change.
To excel, SDETs need a clear grasp of the software’s processes and goals, which makes them pivotal in the journey from code to customer. They also use their understanding of programming to find the right methods for testing software.
In the Philippines, you can hire a QA developer for $10 to $30 per hour.
9. CRM Developer
As online shopping continues to soar and the healthcare industry shifts towards electronic health records and patient portals, skilled software engineers in CRM are becoming indispensable.
Businesses use CRM systems to store customer data and manage workflows from acquisition to after-sales services. So, the role of CRM developers is to create and implement software that collects and sorts data based on preset parameters.
It is also one of the few software development jobs that work tightly with stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions. Because of the wide range of industries that require CRM systems, developers must be agile and highly adaptable.
In the Philippines, you can hire a skilled CRM developer for an average rate of $20 to $85 per hour.
10. Graphics Developer
Do not confuse a graphic developer with a game developer. Graphics developers create graphics libraries and engines that game developers use to build their games.
When it comes to nailing visual fidelity and real-time rendering, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and visual effects (VFX) production, you would want them in your team. Their expertise with frameworks like DirectX and OpenGL allows them to create software and cross-platform games with stunning graphics.
And the future’s looking good—video games aren’t going anywhere, so graphics developers are definitely here to stay!
Keep in mind that this type of software developer is hard to find and more expensive than others. So, remember to establish a solid recruitment process and ample of budget in advance if you want to add this specialty to your team.
11. Security Developer
Security isn’t exactly a new concept in software applications, but its importance stays relevant as the threats continue to evolve. That is why security developers are gaining traction in multiple industries.
These devs are all about designing and implementing security measures and integrating security protocols right from the start of the development process. They should understand coding, encryption methods, and web application security standards like OWASP. Plus, staying updated on the latest techniques used by hackers is a must.
In terms of tech skills, they know how to create tools using scripting languages like Ruby and Python and know how to reverse engineer commercial software systems and data libraries.
12. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) Developers
Last but not least, there is a high demand for AI and ML developers.
AI/ML apps usually handle tons of data with complex algorithms, so many developers in this space are data scientists. Machine learning devs give machines the power to learn from experience and keep getting better. They need to be good with stats and linear algebra, and they often use Python and frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn.
On the flip side, AI developers focus on helping computers mimic human intelligence and solve problems on their own. They build on ML skills but work on platforms tailored for AI software.
Right now, there’s a huge demand for ML and AI developers, especially with big players like ChatGPT making waves in generative AI.
You can hire AI consultants from Startechup to get started in this field.
Need to Hire Developers?
Startechup is your hub for hiring different types of developers for your projects. We have:
- Full-stack developers
- Front-end developers
- Back-end developers
- Mobile app developers
- QA engineers
- UI/UX designers
Whether you need a single developer or a whole team, we’ve got you covered!
Contact us today to learn more about our services!
