A generic full-stack developer job description portrays a well-rounded tech professional with comprehensive skills and knowledge in both front-end and back-end development.

Front-end developers are responsible for creating the user interface of a web application. This involves designing the layout, graphics, and other visual elements that users interact with. They commonly utilize languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js, to build the user interface.

Back-end developers focus on building the server-side logic and database that powers the application. They typically use languages like Java, Python, Ruby, or PHP, as well as frameworks like Node.js, Django, or Flask to develop the back-end.

Full-stack software developers can possess varying levels of expertise in each area, and their knowledge may extend beyond the listed items based on their individual experiences and interests.

Full-stack Developer Role in a Tech Company / What Does a Full-stack Engineer Do?

The role of a full-stack developer in a tech company can vary depending on the company’s size, structure, and specific requirements. Generally, full-stack developers play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of web applications or software projects. They possess a deep understanding of the industry’s needs and trends, allowing them to bridge the gap between front-end and back-end development and contribute to the entire software development lifecycle.

Their key responsibilities range from ideation to implementation, playing a vital role in driving the success of tech companies.

Full-stack Developer Role in an Agile Development Team

As part of an Agile development team, full-stack developers are actively participating in Agile ceremonies, collaborating with team members – other developers, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, Project Directors, and stakeholders – to understand user stories, define acceptance criteria, and estimate the effort required to complete the tasks. This way, they make sure that they are aligned with the team’s goals and the company’s strategy.

Full-stack engineers also provide technical insights and help break down user stories into actionable development tasks. Through all these actions, they ensure the successful development and delivery of software solutions that meet user needs and align with project goals.

As described in generic full-stack developer job descriptions, such a versatile tech profile is required to wear many hats to solve different project and company needs.

Here is a list with the most common duties and responsibilities of full-stack developers:

• Designing and implementing features: Full-stack developers are responsible for designing and implementing features of the software application. They do so by leveraging their knowledge of front-end and back-end technologies to develop user interfaces, write server-side code, and integrate various components.
• Writing clean and testable code: Full-stack engineers follow coding best practices and write clean, modular, and maintainable code. They apply appropriate design patterns and architectural principles to ensure the scalability, robustness, and maintainability of the software.
• Conducting code reviews: Full-stack software developers actively participate in code reviews where they provide constructive feedback on code written by their peers, review for adherence to coding standards, and ensure code quality and consistency.
• Testing and quality assurance: Full-stack developers contribute to the testing process by writing unit tests, conducting integration testing, and assisting in quality assurance efforts. They ensure that the software meets the defined acceptance criteria and functions correctly across different components.
• Developing user stories: Full-stack engineers contribute to defining and refining user stories. They collaborate with the Product Owner and stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding of the requirements and acceptance criteria for each user story.
• Collaborating with the team: Full-stack web developers actively collaborate with other team members, including designers, front-end developers, back-end developers, and testers. They participate in daily stand-up meetings to provide updates, coordinate work with other team members, and address any blockers or dependencies.
• Emphasizing continuous learning: Full-stack developers foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. They stay updated with emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices. They actively seek opportunities to enhance their skills, share knowledge with the development team, and contribute to process improvements.

Full-stack job descriptions may vary across companies and industries, so specific requirements and responsibilities may differ according to their specific expectations.

Full-stack developers are expected to have specific hard and soft skills to navigate the challenging situations of any IT project. The list provided below is a comprehensive one. In most full-stack job descriptions you won’t find all these requirements, as many of them are “nice to have.”

Key Qualifications:

• Proficiency in front-end web development technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and popular frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Expertise in back-end web development technologies such as Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails, or Java, and databases such as MySQL, MongoDB, or PostgreSQL. Knowledge of frameworks like Express.js, Django, Ruby on Rails, or Laravel to build server-side applications and APIs is highly appreciated.
• Experience with version control systems such as Git and proficiency in using command-line interfaces.
• Understanding of web server technologies such as Nginx, Apache, and server-side languages such as PHP or ASP.NET.
• Knowledge of web security and best practices for secure web development.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies and experience working in agile development teams.
• Good understanding of software development principles and practices such as testing, debugging, and code optimization.

Additional Skills:

• Awareness of user-centric design principles and experience in creating visually appealing and intuitive user interfaces.
• Knowledge of techniques to optimize application performance, such as caching, code optimization, and database indexing.
• Knowledge of task tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Trello) and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Asana) to facilitate effective project organization and communication.

Soft skills:

• Continuous learning and keeping up to date with new technologies, frameworks, and best practices in full-stack web development.
• Problem solving skills to find solutions to technical challenges, address bugs or issues that arise during development, and make necessary adjustments based on feedback from users or stakeholders.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with team members and stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, although some employers may consider candidates with equivalent experience or a relevant certification.

A full-stack developer typically works in a cross-functional team that includes other developers, designers, project managers, quality assurance engineers, and other stakeholders. Here are some of the key roles that a full-stack developer may collaborate with:

• Front-end developers: Full-stack developers may collaborate with front-end developers to ensure that the website or application looks and works as intended. Front-end developers are responsible for the user interface and user experience of a website or application.
• Back-end developers: Full-stack engineers may work with back-end developers to ensure that the website or application is integrated with the back-end systems and that the data is stored and retrieved correctly. Back-end developers are responsible for server-side programming and database management.
• Designers: Full-stack web developers may also join forces with designers to ensure that the website or application looks appealing and is easy to use. Designers are responsible for the visual aspects of a website or application.
• Project managers: Full-stack developers have a close relationship with project managers to provide status updates and ensure that the project requirements are being met. Project managers are responsible for managing the development process and ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget.
• Quality assurance engineers: Full-stack engineers need to collaborate with quality assurance engineers to ensure that the website or application is free of bugs and other issues. Quality assurance engineers are responsible for testing the website or application and ensuring that it meets the quality standards.

Differences between a Full-stack Developer and a Front-end Developer

The main difference between a full-stack developer and a software developer is the scope of their skills and responsibilities.

A software developer typically specializes in one or more programming languages, platforms, or frameworks and is responsible for developing software applications or systems. Software developers may work on either front-end or back-end development tasks, or both, but their responsibilities are often more focused on a specific area of expertise.

On the other hand, a full-stack developer is a more versatile software developer who has the skills and knowledge to work on both the front-end and back-end of a software application. A full-stack developer must be proficient in multiple programming languages, frameworks, and tools used in front-end and back-end development.

While software developers may specialize in certain areas of development, a full-stack developer is expected to be comfortable with all aspects of software development, including user interface design, back-end programming, database management, and testing.

In summary, a full-stack developer is a type of software developer, but with a wider range of skills and responsibilities. They can work on both front-end and back-end development tasks, whereas a software developer may focus on a specific area of expertise.

Full-stack development is a complex and challenging field that requires a broad range of technical and non-technical skills. Here are some of the challenges that full-stack developers may face:

• Keeping up with new technologies and frameworks in an ever-changing industry.
• Balancing their time and resources between front-end and back-end development.
• Managing complex codebases and systems, which can be challenging to maintain and debug.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, adapting to changing requirements and feedback.
• Staying up to date with security best practices to mitigate risks.

Overall, being a full-stack engineer requires a wide range of skills and knowledge, as well as the ability to adapt to changing requirements and work collaboratively with other team members. Despite the challenges, full-stack development can also be rewarding and offer opportunities for personal and professional growth.

OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are a popular goal-setting framework used in many companies to align development teams and individuals with business objectives. Here are some examples of OKRs that a full-stack developer might set:

1. Improve website performance.

Sample metrics:

• Increase website loading speed by 20%.
• Reduce website bounce rate by 10%.
• Optimize website images and reduce image file size by 50%.

2. Develop new website features.

Sample metrics:

• Deliver three new website features within the next quarter.
• Improve user engagement by 15% through the new features.
• Ensure the new features are tested and bug-free before release.

3. Enhance website security.

Sample metrics:

• Conduct a website security audit and address all high-priority issues within the next quarter.
• Implement two-factor authentication for all user accounts.
• Train all team members on web security best practices.

4. Contribute to team collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Sample metrics:

• Participate in weekly team meetings and share updates on project progress and challenges.
• Collaborate with other team members on at least one project outside of your usual domain.
• Share technical knowledge with other team members through presentations or knowledge-sharing sessions.

These OKRs align with the full-stack developer’s role and responsibilities and aim to contribute to the overall goals of the development team and the company. OKRs can be adjusted and updated regularly based on feedback and changing business priorities.

The average salary per year for full-stack developers can vary widely depending on a variety of factors such as location, level of experience, industry, and company size.

Here is a general range for full-stack developer salaries per year around the world:

• United States: $100,000 per year
• United Kingdom: £45,000 per year
• France: €50,000 per year
• DACH: €60,000 per year
• Romania and Moldova: €18,000 per year
• Mexico: MXN $350,000 per year
• Vietnam: VND 210 million per year
• Morocco: MAD 180,000 per year

These average salaries are meant to be a general guide and may not reflect the actual rates in every location or for every individual. It’s always best to research the specific job market and company to get a more accurate idea of what the salary and daily rates might be for a full-stack developer in a specific area.