How to hire a systems developer

How to hire a systems developer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step systems developer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a systems developer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new systems developer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a systems developer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your systems developer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a systems developer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect systems developer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents systems developer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Systems Developer	Description	Hourly rate
   Systems Developer	Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.	$35-62
   Developer/Consultant	A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty... Show more	$34-64
   Mobile Applications Developer	A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems... Show more	$36-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Java
   • Python
   • C++
   • JavaScript
   • SQL Server
   • Linux
   • Web Application
   • Object Oriented Programming
   • HTML
   • Application Development
   • Troubleshoot
   • CSS
   • Project Management
   • PL/SQL

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead adoption of SSRS as a reporting platform.
   • Manage numerous data migrations, application migrations, and API development efforts.
   • Develop a client/server database system using PHP, MySQL for managing ISP user accounts.
   • Develop performance AJAX applications to achieve cross browser functionality.
   • Create a completely automate and fully manage desktop management solution.
   • Implement Ajax call using jQuery to transfer JSON data between server side and front end.

   More systems developer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your systems developer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A systems developer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a systems developer in South Dakota may be lower than in Massachusetts, and an entry-level systems developer usually earns less than a senior-level systems developer. Additionally, a systems developer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average systems developer salary

   $97,230yearly

   $46.75 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level systems developer salary

   $73,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average systems developer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$123,077	$59
   2	Washington	$117,733	$57
   3	Massachusetts	$116,936	$56
   4	New York	$111,615	$54
   5	District of Columbia	$106,442	$51
   6	New Jersey	$102,769	$49
   7	Connecticut	$101,973	$49
   8	Maryland	$97,884	$47
   9	Minnesota	$97,485	$47
   10	Delaware	$97,163	$47
   11	Pennsylvania	$96,397	$46
   12	Texas	$93,227	$45
   13	Illinois	$92,692	$45
   14	Michigan	$92,291	$44
   15	Virginia	$90,431	$43
   16	Georgia	$88,971	$43
   17	North Carolina	$87,874	$42
   18	Missouri	$86,854	$42
   19	Florida	$84,235	$41
   20	Ohio	$82,469	$40

   Average systems developer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld	$151,456	$72.82
   2	The Citadel	$150,904	$72.55	9
   3	Meta	$134,544	$64.68	2,912
   4	Barclays	$126,033	$60.59	5
   5	Practice Fusion	$125,798	$60.48
   6	IntraHealth International	$125,416	$60.30
   7	Yelp	$124,035	$59.63
   8	Vista Equity Partners	$123,428	$59.34	1
   9	BGC Partners	$121,514	$58.42	2
   10	Calamos Investments	$121,030	$58.19	1
   11	H-E-B	$119,541	$57.47	6
   12	AQR Capital Management	$119,270	$57.34	1
   13	Cumulus Media	$118,511	$56.98
   14	National Railroad Passenger Corporation	$118,150	$56.80	1
   15	CyberCoders	$117,975	$56.72
   16	Macy's	$117,610	$56.54	4
   17	Nomura Securities	$116,831	$56.17	22
   18	Kelly Services	$116,385	$55.95	11
   19	Novartis	$115,895	$55.72	2
   20	Imagine Fulfillment Services	$115,622	$55.59

4. Writing a systems developer job description

   A systems developer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a systems developer job description:

   Systems developer job description example

   Interstates is growing, and we are currently seeking a Control Systems Developer to join our Plant Floor Automation Team in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Control Systems Developer will be responsible for control systems programming and implementation for our manufacturing clientele. Interstates seeks ambitious, innovative individuals with the ability to grow and maintain value-added relationships with our team and external customers.
   
   About us: For over fifty years, we've tackled complex challenges and developed innovative solutions. Yet, the most impressive thing we've built is our Team. At Interstates, we treat each other like family because the foundation of our success is our Team. We've created a collaborative workplace based on trust, integrity, and support. We offer education and career growth opportunities, one of the best safety records in the business, and benefits that put our families first.
   
   At Interstates, our success starts with yours.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   PLC Programming, Troubleshooting and Project Documentation Work within project teams consisting of clients, electrical engineers, control system programmers, and information system programmers to deliver integrated automation solutions. Launch projects on-site while being available for troubleshooting, support, and training General client interaction and relationship-building Other duties may be assigned.
   Salary Range: $76k to $90k
   
   Qualifications
   
   Education and/or Experience:
   2- or 4-year degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science or a related technical field 2-5 years of experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting Or equivalent combination of education and related experience/training
   Preferred Skills:
   Knowledge in designing and developing control systems Knowledge of Rockwell Automation software Familiarity with Virtual Machines Excellent troubleshooting skills Great communication (verbal, written, listening) and teamwork skills Ability to troubleshoot electrical panels and read schematics a plus Network switching knowledge a plus Familiarity with Grains Processing, Food Production, and Ethanol Production a plus
   Travel:
   
   Travel may be required up to 30-35% of the time.
   
   Benefits:
   Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Company paid Short and long-term disability Paid time off and Holidays Matching 401k program Pay for performance bonuses HSA contributions Casual dress code Safety focused culture Family focused culture Community Give back opportunities
   Interstates is an Equal Opportunity/AA Employer and provides a drug free work environment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find systems developers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any systems developers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level systems developers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your systems developer job on Zippia to find and attract quality systems developer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit systems developers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a systems developer applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new systems developer

   Once you've found the systems developer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a systems developer?