Hiring an IoT Engineer becomes daunting when you have so many options available because there are IoT developers in every country and of every level of expertise. So, how do you hire IoT programmers? Keep reading the article to get the solution and the perfect method for getting the best talent for your upcoming projects.
What is IoT?
IoT stands for Internet of Things, which means the physical objects network is fixed with software, sensors, and other technologies for exchanging and linking data with other systems and devices. These devices range greatly, including household things and advanced industrial tools.
What is an IoT Developer?
An IoT programmer is an expert who creates, designs, and manages hardware and software that powers IoT systems and devices. IoT engineers work with data scientists, hardware programmers, and other stakeholders to build the best solution that meets the requirements of customers and the company.
What Does an IoT Developer Do? Roles & Responsibilities
IoT developer roles and responsibilities include applying IoT protocols and communication standards to ensure flawless data exchange, developing and designing IoT apps and solutions for linking devices, and creating and maintaining scalable and secure IoT platforms.
IoT engineers are also accountable for collaborating with hardware programmers to incorporate devices and sensors into the IoT environment, staying up to date with the latest IoT industry and technology trends, participating in revolutionary IoT project development to meet customer needs, and troubleshooting and monitoring IoT positioning to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
Other roles of IoT programmers include maintaining the software of devices and applying software to link IoT between broker software and a single IoT product. Furthermore, they are responsible for ensuring the cyber security of IoT systems and building application interfaces for customer interaction with IoT systems.
IoT Use Cases: What is IoT Used for?
IoT adds value to businesses in various ways. The critical IoT use cases mainly occur in manufacturing, healthcare, real estate, utilities and energy, public and government sectors, transportation and logistics, and retail. In all these industries, IoT is used to manage multiple tasks and improve the overall functionality of the respective industry.
Types of IoT Platforms
Businesses can use four main types of IoT platforms to get better results. Let’s go over each of these types to understand them in detail.
1. IoT Connectivity Platforms
These platforms monitor and manage the communication agreements that link devices across mobile internet, Bluetooth, and WiFi. In addition, these platforms offer user-friendly interfaces for managing and providing devices across any network you want to utilize.
2. IoT Device Management Platforms
These platforms offer tools for large companies to troubleshoot, monitor, and update linked devices remotely. These platforms can instantaneously hold thousands of connected devices’ configuration, secure provisioning, and tracking.
3. IoT Application Enablement Platforms
These platforms develop and position apps that use IoT data, whether industrial control systems or smart home devices. They also let companies quickly create scalable, feature-rich, and secure apps that can be combined with various IoT platforms.
4. IoT Analytics Platforms
These platforms assist firms in gaining an understanding of data produced by connected devices. Like Google Analytics, these platforms also make it convenient to do proper data analysis collected from linked devices, assisting companies in unlocking the advantages of IoT data.
How Different Organizations Benefit from IoT
There are various advantages of IoT in multiple organizations. As we know, when devices communicate, it results in enhanced operations, better efficiency, and more significant revenue. Here is a list of organizations that benefit from IoT.
Benefits of IoT for Business
IoT has certain advantages for businesses, such as enhancing customer experience and service, boosting new business and revenue chances, improving business security and safety, and enhancing competence and productivity.
Benefits of IoT In Healthcare
IoT is used widely in the healthcare industry because it decreases the cost for patients, reduces overall hospital stay, remote tracking of patients’ health and monitors real-time location of medical tools.
Benefits of IoT In Manufacturing
Currently, the leading investor in IoT is the manufacturing industry, and the top advantages of IoT in manufacturing include monitoring assets and vehicles in supply chains, tracking production flow, management of remote tools and receiving management notifications on condition-based.
Benefits of IoT In Retail
IoT also benefits the retail industry for multiple purposes, such as customer engagement strategies and inventory management. Specific tags on products are used by retailers, which let them monitor stock levels every time with less effort required from employees.
Key Skills to Look Out for When Hiring IoT Developers
Following are the key skills you should look for when hiring IoT programmers.
Technical Skills
Most vital IoT technical skills include knowledge of communication protocols for easy data transmission and communication between machines—proficiency in programming languages such as Java or Python to build and manage connected devices. Furthermore, understanding IoT hardware and sensors and being familiar with IoT platforms and cloud computing are vital skills for managing and deploying IoT apps at scale.
Proficiency in AI and machine learning is essential for managing a competitive edge in the IoT development field, and an understanding of security infrastructure ensures IoT solutions are up-to-date against the latest vulnerabilities and threats.
Problem-Solving Skills
IoT developer skills also include the ability to solve problems effectively because IoT programmers encounter complex challenges related to connectivity issues, data security and device interoperability. Therefore, an IoT engineer must be skilled in solving complex issues they may encounter during project completion.
Communication and Collaboration
Assertive communication is a vital skill for almost every professional because it helps people deliver their ideas and thoughts to others effectively, and collaboration helps complete tasks quickly while discussing various aspects and requirements of the project with team members and stakeholders.
Adaptability and Continuous Learning
Other skills required for IoT developers include adaptability and continuous learning because adaptability allows the IoT engineer to adjust to new conditions and handle new projects. In contrast, continuous learning lets the programmer be updated with the latest information and tools to boost the project’s success.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring IoT Developers
When you are ready to hire IoT developers, you should avoid inevitable mistakes so that you hire the best talent for your upcoming projects.
1. Neglecting Soft Skills
Ignoring soft skills in candidates and only focusing on technical skills is one of the main mistakes you should not make during hiring because soft and technical skills are equally crucial for IoT developer positions.
2. Overlooking IoT-Specific Knowledge
IoT-specific understanding adds more knowledge and ability to the candidate’s profile; therefore, overlooking this knowledge will result in losing a gem during hiring.
3. Ignoring Security Expertise
IoT security and safety are vital to handling projects without getting exposed to threats and vulnerabilities; therefore, always pay attention to the security expertise of an applicant.
4. Neglecting Adaptability
Most of the time, companies ignore looking for candidates’ ability to alter actions when needed and adjust to new conditions, which is another common mistake you should avoid when hiring an IoT application developer.
5. Not Assessing Problem-Solving Abilities
The last typical mistake you should avoid is not evaluating the ability of candidates to solve problems because, in IoT projects, the developers come across various challenges. For this reason, problem-solving ability is critical to efficiently finding solutions.
How to Hire an IoT Developer: Choosing the Perfect Candidate
Hiring an IoT programmer is a complex process involving appropriately assessing candidates’ soft and technical skills. The steps to follow to hire an IoT developer are the following.
1. Crafting a Detailed Job Description
Creating a detailed job description is the first step to setting clear expectations for candidates by defining specific responsibilities and attracting the right talent.
2. Using Various Platforms for Hiring
Many platforms are available where you can find the IoT programmer for your company. These platforms include AngelList, LinkedIn, Hired, GitHub, etc. Using a combination of these platforms ensures access to a large pool of talent, thus leading to a successful hiring process.
3. Importance of Technical Interviews
Technical interviews involve evaluating candidates’ IoT understanding and abilities to solve problems. Furthermore, the interview also helps understand the candidate’s expertise in various aspects of IoT that are integral to IoT projects.
4. Reviewing Candidates’ Past IoT Projects and References
Reviewing the candidate’s past IoT projects and checking references help you make the right decision, as this enables you to assess the candidate’s technical skills and practical experience in implementing, designing and managing IoT solutions. At the same time, references provide details about the candidate’s communication skills, work ethic and overall professionalism, which are vital for collaborating effectively in IoT projects.
5. Ensuring Access to Necessary Hardware and Tools
During the hiring process, ensure candidates have access to the required tools and hardware for completing the project successfully. Along with this, test their proficiency in IoT by giving practical projects that need hardware and tools.
6. Emphasizing Security Practices in IoT Development
When hiring an IoT programmer, highlighting security practices is important to ensure the safety and integrity of IoT systems. Select candidates with solid experience in secure coding practices and in-depth knowledge of IoT-specific security challenges.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an IoT Developer?
An IoT programmer’s salary varies according to the region as the annual salary of an IoT engineer in the USA is $110,000, in the Netherlands, it is $51,700, whereas, in Germany, the annual salary of an IoT developer is $62,100, in the UK it is $49,000. In contrast, in Ukraine, the yearly cost is $24,200. This data shows that the programmers of the Internet of Things are cost-effective in Ukraine compared to other countries worldwide.
Best Models for Hiring IoT Developers
Hiring an IoT programmer depends on budget, long-term goals, and organizational requirements based on projects. The three best models for hiring IoT developers are discussed below.
1. In-House
Overview
As a full-time employee, an in-house IoT engineer plays a vital role in developing the Internet of Things for an organization.
Advantages
- Quickly respond to emergencies and issues
- Offer dedicated expertise in managing company IoT
Disadvantages
- It is expensive compared to hiring freelancers
- IoT operations get disrupted if the programmer leaves the organization.
2. Freelance
Overview
Hiring a freelance IoT engineer is the best option for businesses needing expert assistance in IoT development without full-time job commitments.
Advantages
- Specialized expertise
- Cost-effective
Disadvantages
- Limited availability
- Communication challenges
3. Outsourcing
Overview
Outsourcing involves a third party that provides IoT developers to the organization. In outsourcing, organizations hand over their Internet of Things tasks to an external provider, which offers practical solutions.
Advantages
- Highly experienced and skilled professionals
- Cost savings
Disadvantages
- Dependency on external IoT development provider
- Lack of in-house standards
Hire Offshore IoT Developers
IoT programmers in the US, Canada, Australia and other countries are costly; companies that hire developers from these countries must allocate a large portion of their overall budget. However, cost-effective solutions and high-quality work are now available for companies in the form of offshore IoT developers.
Why Hire IoT Developers from Poland/Ukraine?
Poland and Ukraine programmers are gaining more popularity over time due to the advantages they offer to organizations.
1. Strong Technical Education
IoT engineers from Poland and Ukraine have vital technical education about IoT development, making them a top choice for the developer’s position.
2. Cost-Effective Talent
IoT programmers from Ukraine and Poland offer high-quality work for less price, thus saving your budget.
3. Fluency in English
Proficiency in speaking and writing English makes IoT programmers from these Eastern European countries an excellent addition to the company team because it boosts collaboration and creativity, enhancing the company’s success ratio.
4. Rich Pool of IT Talent
The IT industry in Ukraine and Poland is rapidly growing; with these, more talented programmers are available to complete your project.
5. Cultural Compatibility
The cultural compatibility of Ukraine’s and Poland’s IoT programmers is also the main reason for hiring developers from these countries. Higher cultural compatibility boosts the company’s productivity and overall success.
Let RemoDevs Help You Hire IoT Developers
If you want to hire IoT developers without investing your time, energy, and a large sum of money, contact RemoDevs now, as we are experts in bringing the perfect talent to companies so they can get their projects done within the given timeline and budget.
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Founder and Chief Executive Officer at RemoDevs