How to Hire Experienced Flutter Developers

App coding

Developers focus on coding through the use of the Flutter SDK to develop creative applications.

App testing

The testing process is essential as developers have to make sure that the app does not crash, integrates well with other components and provides a seamless user experience. Testing will also make sure that the delivered application fully complies with the specifications and requirements.

App delivery

Flutter’s platform-specific code generation allows developers to quickly deploy their apps to multiple platforms without the need to write separate code for each one.

As mentioned before, Flutter works as a cross-platform app development kit that will allow developers to create applications faster. So basically, hiring a Flutter dev and writing your app in Flutter is often an easier and more universal solution than hiring separate native app developers and delivering only native apps.

1. Cross-platform Flutter development

Flutter developers are responsible for the development of applications for different devices such as:

• Flutter for Mobile
  Flutter mobile app developers are in charge of building tailored experiences for both iOS and Android users. Flutter is an excellent choice when it comes to cross-platform mobile apps. Fun fact: the newer version of Flutter even supports developing software for foldable devices.
• Flutter for the Web
  Flutter allows building fast, modern, and highly interactive web applications and websites, with top-notch security, performance and scalability, whatever is the complexity of the functionality you need.
• Flutter for Desktop
  Developers not only work on mobile apps but also on the creation of desktop applications. Using a single codebase, they target platforms like Windows, MacOS and Linux without having to rewrite the code to work on each OS..
• Flutter for Embedded systems
  Flutter can be used to create web and mobile interfaces for hardware devices. It integrates well with components written in other languages, provides a clean interface and portable code. Here you can find out more about Waverley’s embedded software development services.

2. Following the latest development trends and approaches

Despite being very new to the tech scene, Flutter already conquered the hearts of developers all over the globe. Many companies provide standalone Flutter development services to those businesses who do not wish to recruit and onboard Flutter engineers in-house. Waverley has been working with Flutter for a couple years now and we have engineers who are so in love with it, they are advocating this tool for developing many projects and eagerly following the development of Flutter and its numerous applications and trends.

3. Implementing strong security measures

Flutter developers are in charge of implementing the security system of their apps, minimizing dependencies, ensuring proper data encryption techniques, enabling a role-based access system. Here at Waverley we’ve developed applications that are not only secure, but also HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA compliant and FDA-approved.

4. Ensuring excellent code quality and performance

Flutter developers are responsible for the quality and performance of their applications. At Waverley we follow a strict quality management process across all of our development hubs, it includes peer code reviews, thorough unit testing and test automation, regular training & project health checks, minimizations of technical debt, etc. For Flutter, there are a couple tips that can help you create clear maintainable product code:

• Refactor the code into widgets
• Make build functions pure
• Use state management
• Follow a well-defined Architecture
• Follow the effective Dart Style guide
• Adopt Low-Code/No-Code practices if needed to streamline app development

5. Tech support throughout the whole product development life cycle

Flutter developers collaborate with other professionals such as project managers, designers and QA engineers. Our Flutter engineers do not just implement the product according to specifications, they are also business-savvy and help come up with the architecture, formulate the product requirements according to the clients’ business needs. Together with a Business Analyst, they can assist with the Discovery phase if needed. Basically, they take active part in all the stages of product development:

• Planning: Development roadmap creation, selection of the optimal tools, architecture creation, developing product specifications, etc.
• Design: Coming up with the detailed structure of all the product components, use cases and features, identifying potential risks and bottlenecks so they can be eliminated in the development process.
• Development: The most active part of the product creation process, implementing the product according to the set requirements, making sure it complies with the needed regulations and satisfies the customer expectations.
• Test: This is where QA engineers come into play. Our Flutter apps are being tested throughout the whole process: smoke testing, regression, usability, integration and other kinds of testing are performed to make sure the product is functional and provides excellent user experience.
• Deployment: After following all of the steps above, the team can make the product available for customers to buy and use.
• Maintenance: Yet, the process doesn’t end with deployment. Developers have to constantly focus on the product’s maintenance, rolling out updates. We normally provide level 2 and 3 tech support services, as well as product re-engineering, refactoring, modernization services for your existing legacy applications.

Hard skills

The tech skills necessary for Flutter developers focus mostly on the basic knowledge of Computer Science, principles of programming, the mastery of various tools for cross-platform app development, etc.

• Git
  Developers should be able to manage this free and open-source version control system which can effectively manage different size projects.
• Computer Science
  As those who use any other type of framework and programming languages, understanding computer science as it may be complex.
• Knowledge of SQL
  SQL is considered as the language of databases and it allows retrieval of specific information from databases for further analysis. To arrange data kept in a relational database, Flutter developers must master the SQL language.
• Dart
  The Flutter framework requires developers to use the Dart language. Almost anything can be written with Dart’s libraries and tools, from scripts to feature-rich applications, with the same code working across all platforms.
• Kotlin or Swift
  Besides managing Flutter’s Dart language, knowledge of Kotlin and Swift programming languages will be a huge plus. They are both high in performance and a great support for OS-specific features. Therefore, developers should be able to handle them.
• Android and iOS
  Flutter enables the creation of cross platform apps that mimic native apps for iOS and Android without having to write the code separately. For this reason, developers should have knowledge of both platforms, their peculiarities, challenges, nuances, to manage the development process effectively.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are important for the Flutter developers to be able to communicate well with clients and integrate with their team members. If you are outsourcing your Flutter development to a nearshore or offshore software engineering company make sure their English language skills are sufficient for them to understand you (the client) and your in-house team (if you have it). At Waverley, we work with engineers globally (LatAm, Europe, Asia), but the minimal level of English is B2 (Upper-Intermediate), which we verify during the recruiting process and then maintain with languages courses, speaking clubs and other educational activities.

• Communication skills
  Developers have to possess excellent communication skills, to be able to efficiently present their solutions, point of view, etc.. They will most likely need to brainstorm and look for solutions together, so being empathetic, and emotionally intelligent is a must.
• Team Work
  When working on development projects, engineers don’t work alone. They have to collaborate with other specialists like designers, Q/A engineers, project managers, etc, be able to distribute work efficiently, not be afraid to ask questions and ask for help, accept and respect other points of view, etc.
• Problem solving
  Engineers can face issues and bottlenecks in any process. For this reason, it is vital that Flutter developers must be able to look for proper solutions to problems, know how to apply design thinking, think out of the box, know where to find resources and means to solve various technical dilemmas, have good imagination and modeling skills, etc.

Read more about Nearshore software development to understand its advantages.

If You Decide to Outsource Flutter Development

Let’s talk about the benefits of hiring app developers from an outsourcing company . When a company decides to hire dedicated Flutter developers, they have to take into account certain aspects of the process, which are very different from hiring engineers in-house.

• Integration. If you already have an existing product development team and just need to outsource Flutter development, think carefully about the role of that outsourced resource and how they are going to work with your team.
• Communication. When looking for a vendor, opt for transparency and integrity, it is much more valuable in the long run, and can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Waverley has experience re-engineering projects after the clients worked with vendors who didn’t fulfill their expectations and were not up-front about it until it was too late.
• Security. The process of protecting your IP and code is different when you’re outsourcing to a vendor, but it is still pretty manageable. Make sure to sign an NDA, discuss the terms beforehand, opt for vendors that are ISO27001 and SOC2 certified and are following the OWASP security recommendations. Our engineering team even provides security audits and penetration testing as a standalone service, to make sure your product is secure.
• Expertise. What is great about working with an outsourcing vendor is that they often have an extensive portfolio of projects in your vertical and understand your businesses perfectly without the need for being trained. A good partner is always proactive, and strives to add value to your project in order to build a long-term partnership, so they’ll be your guide and will consult you on the best practices and optimal toolset.
• Turnkey Solution. You do not have to worry about anything other than your product development strategy and roadmap. The vendor will take care of the equipment, office space, training & education, provide legal and HR support, etc. It is all included in the rate of the outsourced developer you’re working with.

Hiring Flutter Engineers In-House

If you’re not into outsourcing, hiring a Flutter developer on staff is always an option. However, the inhouse engagement model can be a little tricky since it may be difficult to find and hire the right developer locally. In addition, development rates in the US, Canada or Western Europe can be two or three times higher than in Eastern Europe, LatAm or Asia. Add taxes to that as well.. It can also be expensive and time consuming to onboard and train the resource, supply them with the needed equipment and operational support. If you do decide to overcome these challenges, you’ll enjoy:

• Dedication. Your in-house team is working exclusively on your project and evolves with it.
• Easier Knowledge Transfer. Especially if you have an office, there’s no need to travel far to see your team, no language barrier, no timezone difference, it makes many aspects a lot easier. But costs appropriately.
• Full Control. Over your team’s productivity, process, career development, team bonding, HR management, etc.

Hourly rates

• North America
  Flutter developers typically cost between $100 and $250 per hour within the US and Canada. Flutter developers’ rate may differ depending on many factors, like experience, location, etc.
• South America
  Outsourcing your Flutter development in South America is a more cost-efficient option, since it’s quite easy to find Senior Mobile engineers with the knowledge of Flutter in Mexico or Bolivia for ±$60/h, the rates for more junior engineers will start at $40/h.
• Europe
  If you’re looking to find Flutter developers for hire in Europe, be ready to pay between $50 and $150 per hour. European engineers in general charge a bit more than those in LatAm. However, if working with an EU member is not critical for you, you can look at Eastern European countries. For example, the same level of experience and seniority can cost $70-90 per hour in Western Europe, but from $45 to $65 per hour if you consider Eastern Europe.

Monthly Salary

According to Talent, Flutter developers earn around $11,000 to $14,000 monthly. The difference in earnings may depend on the region and the field of expertise.

The average salary for Flutter developers may vary depending on the country where they reside, the engagement models and even the complexity of the project.