Develops and maintains the server-side of websites and applications
We’ve helped thousands of clients hire amazing staff in the Philippines and Latin America.
Benefits of Hiring a Back-End Developer
Back-end developers build the “engine” behind your applications. They focus on databases, servers, and APIs to ensure speed, scalability, and security. According to industry descriptions, a back-end developer is “the architect of powerful, scalable systems, building the foundation that keeps applications running smoothly and efficiently”. With a skilled back-end developer, your system can handle more users, process data quickly, and integrate with other services reliably.
Best Countries to Hire a Back-End Developer
Back-end roles prioritize technical expertise and problem-solving. The Philippines has many developers with experience in robust web frameworks and cloud services, plus high English proficiency for team communication. Latin America (especially Brazil, Mexico, Argentina) is known for strong math and engineering education – you’ll find many who have built large-scale web platforms. South Africa offers excellent written and spoken English and growing IT education programs. If uptime and stability are critical, Latin American hires often provide close-hour support, while Philippine hires might cover off-hours support due to time zone differences. Ultimately, all three regions have capable candidates; the best choice depends on time zone needs and specific technology stacks.
What You Can Expect from Your Back-End Developer
Your back-end developer will create and maintain the core of your applications. Expect them to:
- Design databases and APIs: They will model data and set up database schemas, and create API endpoints for your front-end to use.
- Implement business logic: They’ll write server-side code that enforces your business rules (e.g. payment processing, data validation, user authentication).
- Ensure performance and security: They optimize queries and code for fast response times and implement security measures (encryption, secure auth).
- Integrate systems: They connect your app to third-party services (payment gateways, external APIs) and manage background processes (cron jobs, messaging queues).
- Maintain servers: In many cases, they will configure and manage servers or cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure) to host the application.
In summary, they are the “backbone” of your software. You can expect clean, well-documented code on the server side, and reliable data handling.
How to Hire Your Next Back-End Developer
To effectively hire your next back-end developer, begin by identifying the required skills, precisely listing the languages, frameworks, and database systems your project demands (e.g., Python/Django, Node.js/Express, PHP/Laravel). During the hiring process, our recruiters at Somewhere will test technical knowledge by asking candidates to outline the architecture of systems they've built and to solve practical back-end problems, such as designing a database schema for a given scenario. We'll assess their collaboration ability, ensuring they can clearly explain their code and effectively work with front-end developers, given that many remote back-end developers regularly collaborate with global teams. Finally, onboard them with infrastructure by providing immediate access to your development environment and existing codebase, allowing them to quickly understand your architecture and contribute to system improvements. This process helps secure a dedicated developer focused on the scalability and robustness of your systems.
Back-End Developer Job Description
We’ve helped thousands of clients hire amazing staff in the Philippines, South Africa and Latin America.
Tasks: A back-end developer is responsible for “building the foundation that keeps applications running smoothly and efficiently”. This includes creating and maintaining database structures, server-side logic, and APIs. Typical tasks: designing RESTful APIs, writing server code, optimizing database queries, and ensuring data security and integrity. They also write unit tests, integrate with external systems, and troubleshoot server issues.
Qualifications: Look for developers with strong experience in server-side languages (Java, C#, Python, PHP, Ruby, etc.) and databases (SQL or NoSQL). Familiarity with framework libraries (Spring, .NET Core, Django, etc.) and cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) is important. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are a must. Many in the Philippines, LatAm, and South Africa hold CS or IT degrees, and certification (like AWS Certified Developer) can be a plus. Ensure they have good documentation skills and communicate clearly about technical details.
FAQs on Hiring a Back-End Developer
What is typical communication like?
Expect engineers to communicate primarily in written form (design docs, comments, issue trackers). Spoken English is usually good in these regions, but be clear with technical requirements. Regular stand-ups via chat or video keep everyone aligned.
How do I measure a back-end developer’s work?
Look at metrics like system uptime, response times, and code stability (bug rates). Also track project milestones (APIs delivered, features launched). Regular code reviews and performance benchmarks help gauge productivity.
Do back-end developers manage servers?
Often yes, especially in smaller teams. Many back-end devs are proficient with cloud infrastructure and can deploy and maintain the application environment.
Can one person handle both front-end and back-end?
That’s exactly what a full-stack dev does. A back-end developer specializes only in server-side If you want full-service build, consider a full-stack hire.
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