Python is an open-source, object-oriented programming language known for being developer-friendly.
What makes Python stand out is its ease of use while being a general-purpose programming language.
This has made it popular for a host of use cases including web development, automating tasks, and advanced data science.
Demand for Python developers for hire has been growing with Python being the third most in-demand language recruiters looked for in 2022.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide to hiring Python software engineers.
What Is a Python Software Engineer?
A Python developer helps in designing, coding, and deploying applications with a focus on the server side of the development process.
Since Python is not limited to only web development, they can work on other domains too such as machine learning, data analytics, or even game development.
What Does a Python Developer Do? Roles and Responsibilities
Though Python programmers are involved in an array of tasks in actuality, some of their major roles and responsibilities include:
- Writing clean and maintainable code to develop applications.
- Continuously improving features.
- Creating back-end components that improve overall performance of the application.
- Integrating applications with different third-party services – for example, integrating Google Maps API for a delivery app.
- Testing and debugging to ensure the applications are free from issues and crashes.
- Keeping an eagle eye to maintain the security of the entire system including sensitive user data.
- Recommending and implementing relevant Python frameworks and libraries for swift development.
Types of Python Software Engineers
We can classify Python developers into two categories: those specializing in full-stack development and those focused on backend development.
Fullstack Python Developer
A Fullstack Python Developer works for both the front-end and the back-end during an application’s development.
They are adept in Python but have the added knowledge of client-side programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Backend Python Developer
If Fullstack Python Developers can be considered all-rounders, Backend Python programmers are the specialists.
They focus fully on the back-end server side of developing an application. Their expertise is in Python but may have knowledge of other programming languages too such as Java or PHP.
Since their full focus is only on backend development, they have specialized insights for server-side logic and helping to scale the performance of the application.
Why Choose Python for Web Development
Before hiring a Python software engineer, it’s important to understand why Python is used for web development and why it might be relevant for your project.
1. An open-source programming language
Python is free to use by developers around the world making it cost-effective.
Python also has an expansive community on GitHub where developers can access support for their projects through knowledge sharing.
In fact, Python was the second most used programming language on GitHub in 2022.
2. Swift Development Leading to Heightened Productivity
Developers can use Python based on the principles of object-oriented programming(OOP).
OOP is based on the idea that the development process can be made efficient by reusing code components for an application.
Engineers can minimize creating each aspect of the product from scratch and shorten the time to market for the product.
3. Adaptable Across Various Operating Systems
Without cross-platform compatibility, problems like rewriting code for different operating systems occur.
Python is highly compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is compatible also for specialized use case-based operating systems like Oracle Solaris, IBM AIX, and VMS.
4. Powerful and Robust Programming Language
Google has billions of searches per day and to manage all of these searches with a smooth experience requires a powerful system behind it.
The search engine that Google created is built with Python and is still an important part of their tech stack.
In fact, this programming language is mentioned in 33% of their developer recruitment efforts.
This shows how powerful of a programming language Python is.
5. Seamless integration capabilities
Python integrates with numerous frameworks and languages.
You can use Python for the backend and integrate it with a front-end and database of your choice without worrying about compatibility.
6. Developer-friendly and User-friendly
Python is known for its simple syntax to write highly readable, clean code by developers.
This developer-friendly nature of Python led to Instagram choosing Python in the engineering of their social media application.
Since Python is very user-friendly for engineers, the team could focus on fast development.
7. A Versatile Programming Language
Python is considered the Swiss Army knife for programming languages with its extensive libraries and frameworks.
This strength is valuable in the context of web applications to adapt new features with more flexibility which is another reason why Python is so popular among software engineers.
8. Integration into IoT Ecosystems
The Internet of Things (IoT) connects physical objects to the Internet through sensors and software.
Since different devices communicate with each other in the IoT ecosystem, Python has become a feasible choice as it integrates with many platforms.
IoT sensors generate a substantial amount of data, which is efficiently utilized with Python libraries for data analysis and machine learning.
9. Faster prototyping
Python is both fast and cost-efficient for prototyping. One key reason is that Python has more than 137,000 libraries with many being free to use.
With Python, developers can also skip the step of having to compile the code before executing it.
This leads to faster prototyping as programmers can gain immediate feedback while writing the code and iterate more rapidly.
10. Supportive of SEO Requirements
Python’s code is clean and known for its readability.
This provides an added advantage for SEO since search engines also look into the code of a website as a factor for ranking higher in search results.
Additionally, Python frameworks such as Django can produce SEO friendly URLs where relevant keywords can be used aligned with content of the website.
Key Skills To Look Out For When Hiring Python Developers
The skills of a Python software engineer should be thoroughly assessed to make the right hire. Below are some of the Python developer key skills to look out for:
1. Expertise in Core Python
To know if a Python developer possesses excellent knowledge in fundamental Python concepts, you can verify depth of their knowledge by asking them questions about:
- Data Structures
- Control Structures
- Exception Handling
- Object-oriented Programming
- File Handling
- RESTful APIs
- Authentication and Authorization
To measure further competence you can ask specific questions within a concept. For example, you can ask about key principles in object-oriented programming such as classes, objects, inheritance, and encapsulation.
2. CSS, HTML, and JavaScript
CSS, HTML, and JavaScript are crucial Python developer skills though their focus is on building up the server side.
Understanding these front-end technologies helps to align the client side(front-end) with the server-side(back-end) requirements leading to better collaboration throughout the development process.
They will be able to identify any integration problems that come up between the back-end and front-end which minimizes development roadblocks.
It’s essential to consider that familiarity with front-end technologies is a crucial component of the skill set of a Full Stack Python Software Engineer.
3. Good Grasp of Python Frameworks
A strong understanding of Python frameworks can help to shorten the software development life cycle. With frameworks, Python programmers can streamline low-level tasks.
Some important frameworks include Django, Flask, Dash, CherryPy, Growler, Falcon, and Bottle.
For instance, Django can be utilized to build features such as an admin interface and built-in authentication without having to develop these features from scratch.
4. Proficiency in Object Relational Mappers
Object Relational Mappers (ORMs) help to connect object-oriented programming (OOP) code with the database. This enables developers to perform relational database tasks through Python syntax rather than switch to SQL.
Skills of a Python developer in ORM’s will enable efficient database task completion since Python syntax is more concise and developers are more familiar with it than SQL.
5. Familiarity With Python Libraries
Python libraries are collections of pre-written functions, modules, and classes that help deliver specific functionality. Using them enables faster project delivery and less redundant work for the programmer.
However, it’s important to pick the right libraries which are well-tested to minimize errors in the application. You can ask candidates how they choose criteria for filtering reliable and high-quality libraries.
6. Understanding of Multi-Process Architecture
Multiple Process Architecture in Python enables to run multiple processes at the same time with each unit performing separately.
If you are looking to build a scalable application able to handle multiple incoming requests concurrently then Multi-Process Architecture understanding is part of Python developer key skills.
7. Analytical Skills
The work of a Python software engineer revolves around solving complex problems which requires analytical skills.
For instance, the QA (Quality Assurance) tester identifies major bugs in the system. Python developer’s responsibilities will include critically analyzing the root cause of these bugs and promptly devising effective solutions to resolve them.
8. Design Skills
Having code that is accessible and maintainable solves long-term goals of the system. When the time comes to scale the product, poorly designed system architectures can come across lots of problems.
Yet, Python developers with excellent design skills design the architecture and implement the servers in a way where it is ready to scale efficiently and perform optimally.
9. Communication Skills
Development teams work in an agile environment where communication between team members is essential for success.
Lack of communication on the other hand can lead to duplicated work or unnecessary conflicts.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring Python Developers
As per a study by Harvard Business Review, 80% of employee turnover happens due to the wrong hiring decisions.
This is why it’s important to understand common mistakes to ensure you hire a dedicated Python developers:
1. Relying Solely on Passive Recruitment Methods
Being dependent on passive recruitment methods alone might be leaving room for opportunities. You might post a job vacancy and wait for candidates to apply for the position.
But there are candidates with the qualifications you are seeking who are not aware of the vacancy but are available for the role.
For positions such as a Python software engineer where quality talent can be hard to fill, it is a good option to add an active recruiting strategy too.
This means looking into the best Python programmers who match your needs through different platforms and reaching out to them.
2. Overlooking the Assessment of a Candidate’s Technical Expertise and Capabilities
Hiring developers who lack the necessary technical expertise leads to slower progress or even lack of progress as per your plans.
To address these risks, it’s crucial to incorporate a technical interview, ideally conducted by a technical lead. The primary focus should be on assessing their practical problem-solving abilities rather than solely relying on theoretical responses.
3. Not Focusing on the Candidate’s Soft Skills
When making tech hires such as a Python developer, many neglect to measure soft skills since employers tend to define qualified candidates based on their hard skills.
However, research from Harvard University shows that technical skills only make up 15% of career success. It is rather soft skills and people skills that contribute 85% for career success.
This is true for engineering too since personal qualities were mentioned seven times more than knowledge of engineering as key to success.
Some of the key soft skills to look out for include:
Empathy: A Python developer with empathy for the user, team members, and leadership will be able to interact while understanding other people’s emotions.
Teamwork: Producing results requires being a strong team player who can help in mentoring co-workers and being understanding rather than reactive when issues occur.
Adaptability: People with the ability to adjust to new situations quickly are vital in tech environments where new challenges are emerging. Adaptable people are able to learn fast and be open minded about change.
Time Management: Python programmers with the ability to organize and prioritize important tasks and do them efficiently lead to great results.
How To Hire a Python Software Engineer: Choosing the Perfect Candidate
Below is a step-by-step guide that you can use to hire a Python developer:
1. Define the Project’s Objectives and Technological Requirements.
By reaching a point of clarity in the plan, you will be very clear on whether a Python developer will be needed, of what experience, and for what duration.
Here are some guidelines to help you create a document that outlines your objectives and requirements:
- Define 3-5 key objectives of your project.
- Define key milestones that are time-bound and specific.
- Be clear on what the problem or need the project will solve and why it’s important.
- Specify the technical requirements of the project.
- Forecast the necessary people and budget necessary for project completion.
Ideally, tech projects should have a detailed plan for at least 6 months of the project and a roadmap for the latter stages.
2. Choose Candidates with Relevant Experience
You might come to a conclusion from step 1 that the project has complex requirements with uncertain factors yet a high return on investment if the project turns out successful.
In such a scenario, it may be best to hire an experienced Python Software Engineer with at least 3-5 years of experience if they are to lead the server side of the project themselves.
However, if the project is less complex or you are still unsure about the complete feasibility of the project, you can find a Junior Python developer to work on an early version of your idea.
One of the best ways to determine whether a potential Python developer has the relevant experience you are seeking is to look at their past projects.
As a rule of thumb, if the candidate has worked on projects with success that are relevant to your requirements, hiring such Python developers can be effective.
3. Consider the Developer’s Skills
Hiring the right Python programmer also requires a detailed understanding of their skills.
The above section on key skills to look for in a Python developer can be your go to checklist to verify their skill level.
4. Conduct an Interview
A key goal of an interview is to validate the skills and experience of the candidate.
One important question for the candidate is “What are some of the difficult problems you worked on as a Python developer and how did you solve them?”
This is the kind of question that Elon Musk tends to ask when he interviews candidates.
The candidate’s answers can give you a lot of insight into their abilities.
This is because those who have really taken responsibility for such projects can explain the details of the project.
Once the client seems to be a good technical fit, you can mention the specific frameworks or programming languages you would ideally want the candidate to have for your project.
It’s crucial to also see if they would be a good fit for your project in terms of their values and personality.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Python Developer?
The cost to hire a Python developer can depend on several factors including their expertise, seniority, geographic location, and complexity of your project.
Here are Python software engineer costs by location:
- USA, Australia, Canada: $50 to $90 per hour
- Germany: $35 to $80 per hour
- Ukraine: $20-$55 per hour
- Poland: $25-$60 per hour
- India: $10 -$40 per hour
- Vietnam: $10-$30 per hour
Best Models for Hiring Python Software Engineers
Depending on the context of your project and requirements, you can choose to hire Python programmers based on three models:
1. In-House
An In-house Python developer is a full-time employee of your team who is paid a monthly salary.
Advantages
- Can become an integral part for the development of your product over the years with a deeper understanding of the business.
- Better communication as they work directly with all inter-departmental team members.
- Available for any ad hoc needs helping to fix any urgent problems.
Disadvantages
- Longer recruiting process with applicant interviews and interviews
- More expensive as you need to cover their salary, taxes, and other benefits.
- Might require training which can take time.
2. Freelance
Freelancers are contracted for a specific time period with a specific set of deliverables.
Advantages
- Paying per project or per hour can save you on extra expenses.
- If your project has very clear requirements and minimal immersion with your team, delivery can be fast.
- Freelancers are flexible to work on off days and weekends.
Disadvantages
- You may find the need for immediate task completion from them, but it’s important to keep in mind that freelancers often juggle multiple clients, which can occasionally affect their availability.
- Collaborative projects may require time for freelancers to sync with your team and work seamlessly.
- Managing work quality and direction can be more challenging compared to in-house developers with constant interaction.
3. Outsourcing
Outsourcing firms help in finding the right talent while taking care of the entire recruitment process.
Advantages
- You can focus on your core business as such firms take care of time-consuming hiring process
- They already have a database of top talents who meet your exact needs saving you weeks of time in onboarding a new hire.
- Reduced time to hire and your own team’s time savings leads to more value creation.
Disadvantages
- They might have limited insight on your hiring process unless well communicated
- Clear alignment on the required talent can be lacking, leading to potential mismatches.
- Might take time for buy-in from upper management to develop long-term partnerships with such firms.
Hire Offshore Python Developers
With there being stiff competition for talent in North America and Europe, companies have been looking at other options where they can get quality talent.
Poland and Ukraine are two such countries to hire offshore Python developers. They have garnered a reputation for delivering quality software solutions and have attracted many Fortune 500 companies including Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM.
The estimated talent pool of Python software engineers in Poland is around 30,000. On the other hand, In Ukraine, there are an estimated 22,000 Python developers.
Quality tech talent who are fluent in English and are acquainted with Western business culture are key reasons to consider Poland and Ukraine as destinations to hire remote Python developers.
Let RemoDevs Help You Hire Python Software Engineers
RemoDevs specializes in helping tech companies find and hire the best software developers. We can hire dedicated Python developers for you while reducing your recruitment costs by 50% and increasing your chance of hiring the perfect candidate by 800%.
Visit us
Find a moment in your calendar and come to our office for a delicious coffee
Make an apointment
Founder and Chief Executive Officer at RemoDevs