The trend in the blockchain technology area is moving on, and this means that the market for skilled developers is becoming overwhelming. In all types of industries, employers are in a rush to hire blockchain developers as they build new blockchain-based applications, including secure digital currency or game-changing supply chain systems.
However, to hire blockchain developer is an issue. Blockchain is one of the youngest spheres in IT, and there are not a lot of experienced developers. The war for attracting these top talents is tight, hence dragging the contest amongst the companies that hire their network.
Here is the blog with all the information and tricks you need for a successful job hunt. Our goal will be to supply you with every ingredient, such as the technical skills and the aptitude needed to hire a blockchain developer that fit perfectly into the team.
Blockchain developers’ average salary can go as high as USD 132K per year, with a minimum base salary of USD 60K and a maximum of USD 250K. So, hiring a misfit can cost the company both time and money.
Read About: Complete Guide of Blockchain App Development For 2024
What is a Blockchain Developer?
A blockchain developer is a skilled software engineer dedicated to crafting, creating, and deploying applications and solutions using the power of blockchain development technology.
These developers play a vital role in constructing secure, decentralized systems that leverage unique features of the technology, such as immutability, transparency, and cryptographic verification.
Their duties may differ depending on the project and industry but typically includes the following responsibilities.
Smart Contract Development
Blockchain developers craft self-executing agreements, known as smart contracts, encoding contract terms directly into code. These contracts automate processes and transactions, diminishing reliance on intermediaries for increased efficiency.
Blockchain Protocol Development
Developers create and implement foundational protocols governing the operation of a blockchain network. This encompasses designing consensus algorithms, data storage mechanisms, and communication protocols.
Decentralized Application (DApp) Development
Blockchain developers construct decentralized applications that operate on blockchain platforms. These applications, spanning gaming, digital identification, economics, and supply chain management, offer versatile solutions.
Cryptocurrency and Token Development
Specialized developers create new cryptocurrencies or tokens on existing blockchain platforms, defining properties like supply, distribution, and functionality.
Security and Auditing
Emphasizing the importance of blockchain system security, developers identify and address vulnerabilities, conduct code audits, and implement robust security measures to hacking and other threats.
Integration and API Development
In response to the growing trend of businesses incorporating blockchain, developers devise Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) facilitating seamless interaction between blockchain networks and external applications.
Consensus Mechanism Implementation
Developers undertake the implementation and optimization of diverse consensus procedures, such as proof of work and proof of stake, ensuring efficient financial transaction validation and addition to the blockchain.
Network Upgrades and Maintenance
Acknowledging the constant evolution of blockchains, developers play a pivotal role in executing upgrades, resolving bugs, and sustaining the network’s health and performance.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Blockchain engineers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including designers, product managers, and business analysts, to align blockchain development solutions with intended goals and user requirements.
Research and Innovation
Staying ahead of recent blockchain advancements, developers engage in research and experimentation to explore methods of enhancing blockchain systems.
Also Read: Tips on How to Become a Blockchain Developers
Steps to Hire Blockchain Developers
Before you partner with JPLoft to hire talented blockchain developers, here's a list of things you should consider.
Understand the company's need for a blockchain developer
Before you hire blockchain developers, understand the needs of the company and the kind of blockchain solution you want to build. There are several applications of blockchain technology, like supply chain management, voting systems, and decentralized finance or DeFi. Knowing the need will help you identify the right skillsets and background experience to hire talented blockchain developers.
Identify the blockchain expertise
You may need to hire a blockchain developer in various position types. While each company is different and may have unique business requirements (and need to create specific position types),some of the common position types for blockchain developers include the following:
-
Core blockchain developer
The core blockchain developers work on the underlying blockchain network and architecture, designing the protocol, optimizing the environment and constant monitoring, and ensuring a secure environment for decentralized applications to work smoothly.
-
Blockchain software developer
The primary goal of the blockchain software developer is to create decentralized applications and smart contracts for a blockchain network to function smoothly. They take care of the census protocols and network architecture.
Blockchain software developers are key in front-end and back-end development, API development, and blockchain integrations. They are also involved in the client-side application development. While enterprises might divide their roles as blockchain developers, blockchain solutions architects, or blockchain project managers in smaller organizations or startups, the same person might have to fill multiple roles.
-
Frontend Developers
Frontend developers are key in converting software design into computer languages like JavaScript, CSS code, C++, HTML, etc. It's the responsibility of the front-end developer to create a website visual that looks and works exactly as designed across various devices. A front-end developer should have strong knowledge of Node, Express, CSS, HTML, etc.
-
Blockchain Application Developers
Blockchain application developers use various programming languages and codes to work at the backend of the application development. They use various languages like Java and C++ to create blockchain capabilities like distributed, decentralized, and public and private systems.
-
Smart contract engineers
Apart from these position types mentioned above, you may also work with different blockchain developers who are experts in smart contract languages like Python, Solidity, Go, etc. The smart contract engineers focus on developing and editing smart contracts, end-to-end testing, smooth flow of the process, and security in smart contracts.
Once you know the job responsibilities and company goals, narrow down your search based on the kind of blockchain technical knowledge you need your employee to have. Start looking for blockchain developers with the right skill set. Determine the proficiency level you need for the role — senior, junior, or intermediate positions. Noting down all these details can help you hire talented blockchain developers.
Create JD
Now, it's time to create the job description. Be clear in your job description so the applicant knows their roles and responsibilities. A detailed job description can help you save time and hire the right person.
Here's a sample job description for the blockchain developer role.
XYZ company is looking to hire skilled blockchain developers to design, implement, and distribute a blockchain-based network. The incumbent needs to analyze the business needs and develop customized solutions. The person will also need to launch and maintain our blockchain network.
The candidate should have programming languages and working experience in cryptography. It's a plus if you have efficient digital crypto transactions knowledge.
Basic Blockchain Developer Responsibilities
-
Collaborating with managers to assess blockchain technology needs and envisaged functionalities.
-
Creating application features and interfaces
-
Experience writing multithreaded codes.
-
Blockchain Developer Requirements:
-
Bachelor's degree in information security(IT) or computer science(CS)
-
At least five years of working experience in a blockchain developer role
-
Strong knowledge of programming languages like C++, Java, and Python
-
Experience in back-end development, algorithms, and data structures
-
Knowledge of cryptography and blockchain protocols
-
Advanced analytical skills
-
Good problem solver
-
Strong organizational skills
-
Attention to detail
-
Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
-
Hire Anyone, Anywhere, Instantly. Unleash Your Global Hiring Power
Assess Tech Skills & Soft Skills/ Screening
You must thoroughly screen the candidates for tech and soft skills to find the right fit. While each role is unique and aligned with the organization's goals, here are some key tech and soft skills to look for.
#Assessing Tech Skills for Blockchain Developers
-
Blockchain Architecture
To hire skilled blockchain developer, you must understand the architecture and how the network supports the architecture. They should have a strong grip on cryptography, hash functions, decentralized functions, and smart contracts. Knowledge of consensus algorithms like proof of stake and different blockchain architectures like hybrid, public, and private are also essential.
-
Cryptography
Cryptography helps secure the blockchain environment so that there is no tampering with it. Blockchain developers should have a strong base in cryptography and must be familiar with concepts like digital signatures, keys, and crypto wallets.
They should also know about public key cryptography and how to prevent unauthorized data access, hash functions, digital signatures, different types of encryption, permission blockchains, and permissionless blockchains.
-
Smart Contracts
Smart contracts are digital contracts that empower two parties to carry out crypto transactions without the necessity of an intermediary. Smart contracts are an important concept in blockchain. So, your blockchain developers must understand smart contracts and how they work on business logic. The developers should also know how to build and test smart contacts and know programming languages like Solidity, Vyper, and Chaincode.
-
Web Developments
As blockchain emphasizes decentralized applications, blockchain developers should have a thorough knowledge of web development, technologies supporting web applications, and how to secure those applications. They must have some experience in blockchain web applications.
-
Distributed System
Another key technical skill to look for in a blockchain developer is the knowledge of distributed system and how it functions in a peer-to-peer network.
-
Programming Languages
Although blockchain developers can't be proficient in every programming language, they should have strong knowledge of common blockchain programming languages like Java, JavaScript, and Python. They should also be familiar with the development language for smart contracts.
-
Data structure
Data structure is an important component of blockchain. A blockchain developer needs to work with data structure regularly; hence, they need to know how it works in blockchain technology. They must also be comfortable working with different types of data structures like hash trees, graphs, heaps, linked lists, etc. Developers should also know how to look for data or modify them in data structures.
#Assessing soft skills for blockchain developers
While you hire blockchain developers, you must also look for certain soft skills apart from tech skills. 2023 The Future of Recruiting report says that recruiters will need to focus on more strategic soft skill sets in the future.
-
78% of recruiting pros say that communication is the essential soft skill set,
-
73 % stress relationship building, and
-
58% focus on adaptability, followed by problem-solving and business acumen.
-
Interview
Design your interview questions aligned with the job role and the organization's goals. The interview questions should be a mix of theoretical knowledge of blockchain and practical applications that the candidate has done in their past job roles.
Here are some sample questions to ask while you hire blockchain developers.
-
What's the difference between blockchain and hyperledger?
-
How will you explain blockchain technology to your grandmother?
-
What is a Merkel tree?
-
Why does blockchain need tokens to operate?
-
Explain peer discovery in a peer-to-peer network.
-
How do verifiers verify the validity of a block?
-
Explain a scriptPubKey.
-
How can a P2SH address be spent?
Read Also: Learn the Basic Concepts Behind Blockchain Technology Now
Things to Consider Before Hiring Blockchain Developers
Consider a variety of essential factors when choosing an expert in blockchain development to ensure that you have the most competent professionals for the job. For you to make sure that the hiring choices are informed, you should take these aspects into consideration in totality.
Technical Proficiency
Examine their knowledge of blockchain technology related to your project, such as Ethereum, Hyperledger, or others. Seek proficiency in information technology, digital signatures, software development, cryptography, and programming languages including Java, JavaScript, and Solidity.
Experience and Performance History
Examine their prior work and portfolio to gauge their experience in creating effective blockchain solutions. Take into account their open-source project participation, blockchain community activities, and pertinent certifications. Using this all-inclusive method will assist you in selecting the best candidates for your blockchain development team.
Knowledge of Security
Security on blockchain is critical. Make sure the developers are aware of secure coding techniques, cryptographic principles, and ways to stop attacks and weaknesses unique to blockchain systems. Hiring engineers that place a high priority on blockchain security will be made easier by evaluating these factors.
Flexibility and Ability to Solve Problems
Blockchain technology is developing quickly. Seek for developers who have an aptitude for solving problems, are flexible, and are eager to learn. It is critical that they are able to handle novel issues in the blockchain arena. Seeking out people who are proactive, self-motivated, and receptive to lifelong learning is crucial.
Working together and communicating
For any project to be successful, cooperation and effective communication are essential. In order to ensure functionality, security, and efficiency while integrating blockchain technology into applications, they should be able to work together with software engineers.
Passion and Cultural Fit
Before you hire a blockchain developer check to see if the developer genuinely loves blockchain technology and fits well with your company’s culture. Passion frequently turns into commitment and creativity, which propels your project’s success.
Where to Find Blockchain Developers?
Hire skilled blockchain developer who can help you realize the possibilities of this groundbreaking technology. Find top-quality platforms, gain insight into how to evaluate blockchain skills, examine applicants' skills in creating decentralized applications, and explore the possibilities of cryptocurrency. With our help, you can successfully hire talented blockchain developers and start a new project that will revolutionize industries. Here are a few ways to find a professional blockchain expert.
Communities
Join online communities of blockchain experts on platforms like Reddit, BitcoinTalk, and StackExchange. Engage with developers seeking new opportunities directly.
Subreddits
Subreddits like r/cryptodevs serves as a community for cryptocurrency exchange developers, including those working on Ethereum-related projects.
BitcoinTalk
Utilize BitcoinTalk, an online community providing a directory of available developers for hire and a forum for discussing specific development issues.
StackExchange
StackExchange, a Q&A site for developers that includes a dedicated section for blockchain, allowing you to connect with developers familiar with the technology.
Conferences
Attend conferences such as Bitcoin Miami, Blockchain Expo, North American Bitcoin Conference, and LA Blockchain Summit to network and find skilled blockchain developers.
GitHub
One of the best platforms hosting open-source projects where blockchain developers showcase their code and work history, offering transparency into their expertise.
Talent Marketplaces
Explore talent marketplaces where pre-vetted blockchain developers are available for hire, streamlining the recruitment process. Understanding the diverse channels available for finding blockchain developers ensures a comprehensive and effective approach to building a skilled development team.
Conclusion
You should have a clear understanding of the growing demand for blockchain experts. Now, using the guide above, conduct a thorough search. Find the best that is compatible with your project needs and has expertise in blockchain development procedures for your company.
Therefore, it is essential to review and evaluate all aspects thoroughly before you hire a blockchain developer. Contact a professional blockchain design firm to develop your very ambitious blockchain project.
Share this blog