How to Hire Java Developers: The Ultimate Guide

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Modern trends are changing the vector of the digital industry. Now it is aimed at total cross-platform adaptability of IT solutions of any complexity. Technologies follow the market’s requirements, and the industry’s flagship is still Java.

Java development language is a dream come true for an enthusiast who wants to create unique, fully-functional digital solutions. The incredible adaptability and scalability of Java-oriented frameworks make the technology the best on the market. You must hire Java app developers if you implement your IT project for most modern devices. Today we will tell you how to do it right.

Java: Simple about Complicated

What is Java? It is a development language that uses an assembler that transforms intuitive code into a standard set of 0 and 1 (machine code). The first versions of the JDK (Java Development Kit) appeared in 1995 and evolved yearly with new functionality. At the time of this publication, the current version is SE 15, released in 2020.

The Java platform is relevant because you can use it to create applications for multiple devices on OS: Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS. Versatility is peculiar to all implemented digital products on Java because the written code gets executed inside a VM (Virtual Machine). It allows creating of one software version for all platforms, packing the code into native shells.

Java is equipped with an extensive range of tools designed to facilitate the creation, thorough testing, and execution of robust applications across various platforms. This comprehensive software ecosystem has many components, including but not limited to:

Java has enough potential to develop programs of any profile: from small apps for button phones to full-scale ERP systems. This language is one of the most in-demand in the modern IT industry.

What Kinds of Projects Can You Implement in Java?

This language allows you to run several small apps inside one. How does it work? Each element (function) gets executed as an isolated container. Dependencies with other components get set separately. As a result, it allows you to localize each process and better control it.

Due to the native cross-platform nature of the technology, apps written in Java can be deployed in any native environment (via VM). It allows you to use the software on any supported device. Here is why the application of the technology is not limited to types of digital solutions such as:

Java, being an incredibly versatile programming language, finds extensive application in a multitude of domains, making it a popular choice among developers. Some of the areas where Java shines include:

• Commerce
• Telemedicine
• Logistics
• Management
• Entertainment
• Analytics

All IT areas use Java for apps or system development. Global market leaders confirm its leadership.

Industry Flagships: Top Companies Using Java

When discussing global corporations, we tend to imagine complex covert technologies. In practice, these fantasies get shattered by the rigid pragmatism of companies and their IT departments. Everything complicated is simple, as today’s best minds — Linus Torvalds, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk — say. These geniuses developed their products not with some mysterious technologies but in a language that is relatively simple and accessible to every enthusiast. The same applies to corporations that use Java to build their digital solutions.

• Google: The tech giant uses Java in almost all of its products, such as YouTube and other SaaS solutions. It gives the company the ability to scale platforms and transform them quickly.
• Microsoft: Java is used in cloud solutions, partly in embedded OS apps and most modern Microsoft Store products. For example, programs for file processing are based on JVM.
• Meta: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram – these digital solutions are developed using Java. The technology allows the company to scale products, increasing the stress tolerance of platforms.
• Uber: The company’s mobile delivery and logistics products are based on Java. Thanks to this, they can withstand a large load of active users and work steadily.
• Netflix: Java is used in web-app, mobile solutions, and the cloud, where the full streaming service is based on the technology. The scalability of this language is indispensable for Netflix’s stability.

Implementing Java by the key players of the IT industry in digital solutions best demonstrates the popularity of the technology in 2023. Here is why it is worth paying attention to Java when developing consumer or business apps. The more so that hiring Java developers is not a problem now.

We recommend Java to our clients for several reasons. Java is one of the most popular programming languages for developing back-end web applications and has a huge and active developer community that provides support, documentation, and a large selection of libraries and frameworks to speed up development. Also, Java is highly reliable and scalable. It allows the development of complex and distributed systems that can process large amounts of data and withstand high loads.

Anton Kumechko

Project Manager, Glorium Technologies

Our cases

Responsibilities of Java Developer

Java programmers are highly skilled professionals who specialize in developing applications and software using the Java programming language. They are responsible for writing, testing, and debugging code to ensure that it meets the project requirements. Additionally, they collaborate with other team members to design and implement software solutions that are efficient and scalable. Understanding these specialists’ roles and responsibilities is necessary to hire Java programmers quickly.

Use this list as a checklist for interviewing and testing a candidate’s skills. Specialists’ responsibilities may vary depending on the company’s needs and current tasks. Some additional responsibilities for Java programmers may include analyzing user requirements, troubleshooting issues, and maintaining documentation.

Best Models for Hiring Java Programmers

When you decide on the technical stack, you can look for experts in the chosen profiles. But this is also a tricky task, even for experienced entrepreneurs. There are three standard hiring models from which the hirer chooses. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s review them in more detail.

In-house

Hiring a specialist is a good idea for tech startup owners who are critically under-resourced. Or vice versa, for large companies where an influx of fresh talent is vital. However, expanding your team comes with certain disadvantages.

Having Java developers in-house will give you complete control over the development process, improving the quality of your IT solution. But the cost of maintaining the team is higher than outsourcing. Salaries and overhead costs are the main reasons entrepreneurs reject this option.

Freelance

There are various sites where specialists offer their services to companies or private entrepreneurs. The performers here are called freelancers or independent contractors. There are experts to accept any order. Working with them is a great way to delegate part of the project and hire offshore Java developers to augment your existing team.

The pros of hiring freelance Java developers are the cost and the large selection of available industry experts. On the opposite side, you risk getting low involvement from the specialist.

Outsourcing teams

Dedicated teams that provide comprehensive development services are the best choice for startups and companies. You can relieve yourself of all development worries by delegating them to industry experts. Usually, remote outsourcing companies have enough experience to handle projects of any complexity, which speeds up software creation.

Full outsourcing allows you to fully delegate the task of development to experts and focus on core business processes. This model of collaboration is universal and suitable for entrepreneurs of all types.

How to choose your cooperation mode

When choosing a cooperation model, it is essential to consider factors such as project complexity, budget constraints, and the level of control and involvement desired. Additionally, evaluating the expertise and experience of potential performers in relation to the specific requirements of your project can significantly contribute to finding the right experts for your team.

This checklist will help you accurately formulate requirements for potential performers. Also, with its help, you can determine the required cooperation model and start looking for experts in the labor market.

The Cost of Hiring Dedicated Java Developer

The final cost of hiring experts depends on many factors. These factors include the level of expertise required, the project duration, and the experts’ location. Also, negotiating rates and terms with potential performers can impact the final cost. It is essential to carefully consider these factors to make an informed decision and ensure that hiring experts aligns with your project’s budget.

Today, we’re going to break down several main cost factors, including:

Only by studying all these factors can you roughly calculate the necessary amount of investment in a future digital product.

Salaries of Java developers by regions

The level of IT development in a particular country directly impacts the salaries of industry experts. According to Statista analysts, the United States leads in the ranking. Here the maximum annual salary reaches $200,000 for seniors, and the minimum exceeds $100,000 for juniors.

Western Europe and Israel are the golden middle of the top, where specialists earn from $40,000 to $150,000 annually and rookies from $20,000 to $55,000. The list includes Great Britain, Poland, Ukraine, France, and Germany.

Minimum salaries in Asian countries also differ. For example, a newcomer’s annual salary in India rarely exceeds $3,000, and the expert’s is $15,000. In China, the situation is slightly better; the salary range for a Java developer is from $11,000 to $50,000.

Hourly rates depending on the region

Based on the regional salaries, it is possible to calculate the costs of hiring Java developers. Experts from the United States, Germany, France, Great Britain, Israel, and China charge the highest rates. The average price for an hour of work for Juniors is $15 and for Senior $120.

In European countries, such as Poland and Ukraine, the minimum rate for Junior level Java developers is $15-$20 per hour, and for Seniors, $65-$90. The minimum hourly wage for beginner specialists from India is $9 per hour, and the experts do not exceed $80.

Skill level

There is a direct correlation between the experience of a developer and their salary. For example, a Junior is unlikely to ask for more than $20 for an hour of work, while a Senior will only agree to work for at least $65. You can also look into hiring middle-level professionals. The hourly rate for middle-level Java developers varies from $35 to $55, depending on the region.

Cooperation models

When hiring Java programmers, there is often a dilemma; the entrepreneur sometimes needs to learn which type of cooperation is the best for the project. There are three categories of cooperation models:

• Paying per project
• Paying per hour
• Hiring a dedicated Java developer

The first option is great for those entrepreneurs who know what they need. They delegate the task to contractors and wait for it to be completed, with little or no interference. The second option works great with small startups that need a simple mobile or web application. In this collaboration, you pay only for each member’s time on the project.

The third option is the easiest. You pay an insurance amount to the contracting company to hire experts. You also pay a total monthly salary to all team members. It is suitable for long-term projects or when scaling finished digital products.

Additional costs

Extra expenses are necessarily included in the contract, regardless of the terms and model of teamwork. They cover various emergencies, for example, attracting additional resources, extending the contract, and changing deadlines.

Types of IT solutions

The type of development significantly impacts the project’s pricing policy. Most modern IT companies have a price list with detailed costs of each function.

The cheapest are cross-platform sites with simple functionality. Their creation costs an average of $10,000. More complex web apps (social, streaming, e-com) will cost more. The average cost of developing such solutions in Java is $25,000-$50,000, depending on the complexity and scale.

Native mobile programs will cost $60,000+, depending on the number of target platforms, integrations, and technologies used. Cloud-based management systems and SaaS products (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS) are the most expensive. The typical starting price is over $100,000, with no upper bar.

Scale and complexity

The more features, integrations, or modules need to be in a digital solution, the more expensive the development will be. As mentioned in the previous block, the most complex systems are costly. Their creation requires more resources: performers, time, and technology. Accordingly, there is a direct correlation between the number of functions and the final cost in this case.

Licensing

All digital products use intellectual property in one way or another. It applies to frameworks, ideas, and concepts. When developing your digital product, it’s necessary to ensure that the solution is legally released. It means not copying someone else’s work and protecting your own.

We recommend you always sign an NDA with your contractors and acquire the rights to use the software or technology. It will protect you from critical or confidential data leakage and court proceedings. Legal aspects should be included in the cost of hiring Java programmers and are integral to any contract.

To conclude the Java-based development pricing analysis, note more drivers are influencing the cost. Each IT company independently sets the service price. For example, the cost of marketing, staffing, software, technology, and training often gets added to form the bottom line.

Hiring Offshore Java Developers: Step-by-Step

If you need Java experts, you can start recruiting directly. Yet, it is more challenging than it seems at first sight. We recommend following this scheme:

• Selecting the top 10 applicants on the platforms
• Studying the candidates’ portfolios and reviews of their work
• Direct communication with candidates
• Discussion of details and possible nuances
• Planning collaboration

In addition, conducting a short interview with candidates and finding out their level of Java skills is worth it. Senior professionals are suitable as team leaders or project managers. Middle developers can be the project performers. Contrary to common misconceptions, Junior is also a good development participant that can diligently do less complicated work tasks. When choosing experts, consider the budget available to hire a dedicated Java developer.

To Summarize

Java technology is one of the most popular coding languages. Daily, dozens of innovative applications written in this language get released to consumers. That is why we recommend it as a basis for scalable projects. It’s easy to learn and completely free, but most importantly, it works on all platforms.

Finding responsible and experienced contractors to develop a project can seem daunting. We know that and offer you our help in hiring Java developers. Glorium Technologies experts have implemented over 50 real estate, commerce, and telemedicine apps.

Our specialists have experience in creating Java-based digital products, API module implementation, and ERP system development. Feel free to contact our manager to hire a dedicated developer! Not only can we advise you in choosing the technical stack, but we can also accomplish your custom project of any complexity!

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