Full Stack Engineer

Working Schedule

• Full Stack Engineers have full plates when it comes to workloads. As a relatively rare (some say “mythical”) breed in the IT world, these workers can expect regular full-time hours. The supply of highly-qualified talent doesn’t currently meet the demand, so overtime may be necessary for some positions. Many developers work remotely from home or on a contractual basis. There’s also an ever-growing world of freelancers entering the field, many of which may operate abroad and thus offer highly competitive rates.  

Typical Duties

• As an engineer, expect to serve in a project management capacity 
• Meeting clients, User Experience and User Interface designers, and other developers to discuss requested functionalities, website design, and content ideas 
• Planning the technical construction work needed
• Setting up processes for adding new pages 
• Writing applicable code using a variety of languages 
• Developing front-end architecture and back-end apps
• Building databases and services
• Testing for errors and responsiveness
• Ensuring mobile-friendliness
• Working with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
• Crafting graphics based on inputs from other team members and clients
• Making upgrades to existing sites to add new design features or functions
• Additional Responsibilities
• Conducting extensive testing to ensure code operates as desired
• Backing up files in case of problems
• Keeping up with industry-related changes and trends

Soft Skills

• Ability to learn from constructive feedback
• Attention to detail
• Awareness of user psychology
• Creative and artistic
• Customer service skills
• Decisiveness
• Highly organized 
• Leadership and management skills
• Patient and analytical
• Proper phone and email etiquette 
• Strong communications skills
• Team-oriented and goal-focused
• Time management skills

Technical Skills

• Front-end basics 
• Server-side languages
• Knowledge of database technology
• Automation tools 
• Command line 
• CSS Preprocessors 
• JavaScript frameworks 
• jQuery 
• Responsive design
• Testing and debugging programs 
• Version control software 

• Academic institutions
• Computer systems design agencies
• Corporations
• Governmental agencies
• Healthcare industries
• Large companies and organizations 
• Management consulting firms
• Media and entertainment
• Military 
• Publishing 
• Self-employed

Who doesn’t have a website by this point? From government agencies and private corporations to film studios and musical artists, websites are how we share information and sell products and services in the modern world. A website is often the first (and in some cases, the only) contact a user or consumer has of an organization. Their experience may dictate whether or not they stay on the site and engage (or purchase something), or instead decide to leave and look elsewhere. 
 
To a large extent, that decision relies on how well the Full Stack Engineer did their job. Websites that are unappealing, not compelling, difficult to navigate, or filled with glitches can tank interest before a user gets a chance to buy whatever is being sold. A poorly-built website also leaves organizations (and their user data) at risk of security breaches. Such compromises can destroy a brand’s reputation by stripping away user confidence (especially when millions of people have their data stolen at once). 
 
The pressure is on Full Stack Engineers to create engaging, responsive sites that drive sales or user interaction while protecting the organization and users at the same time. When things go wrong or not as planned, managers look at who built their websites. As they say, if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!

As physical stores and agencies continue to face slumping traffic, businesses have adapted by moving increasingly online and more to mobile apps. Everyone knows how Amazon, Apple, and Netflix revolutionized how we shop, consume media, and socialize. But these days, virtually all companies are getting in on the action. 
 
From start-ups and small businesses to digital entrepreneurs, everybody wants a website, but not everyone has the same budget. Do-it-yourself sites like Wix, Squarespace, Site123, GoDaddy, and WordPress make it simpler than ever to build fast, cheap sites. Meanwhile, for customers who don’t have the basic skill, don’t want to learn them, or simply need something more customized, Full Stack Engineers remain the go-to hot commodity.  
 
However, not everybody can afford to onboard a full-time engineer, which is why many work via short contracts, often doing the job remotely. The downside is that some organizations wanting to keep down costs will turn to overseas and/or freelance talent. This means Full Stack Engineers need to keep their skills sharp and find ways to distinguish their services from the competition. 

As you can guess, Full Stack Engineers were likely always interested in computers and technology, and may have enjoyed spending time indoors. While social skills are an important part of the career field, workers were probably comfortable being on their own for long hours when they were younger. They’re creative, inquisitive, and eager to discover new things, especially in areas that most people know nothing about. Literally, they’re learning new languages, but ones used by computers instead of people. 
 
To be a successful Full Stack Engineer, it’s good to have a keen interest in art and design. These passions are usually developed when growing up, either at home or in school. It might sound like this job requires “loner”-type personalities, but in fact, there is a considerable amount of teamwork and collaboration involved. Full Stack Engineers were likely happy to join groups and participate in social activities, or even to organize them. They are good at “seeing the big picture,” establishing goals, and managing tasks to ensure that end objectives are met.