Full Stack Developer Job Description

A Full Stack Developer, also known as a Full Stack Software Engineer, is a computer programmer who works on both front and back end systems. In other words, they can both create anddesign a website or multi-platform app--which means the job requires technical prowess, an understanding of user wants and needs, and a facility with graphics and design. This overview will explain more about what a Full Stack Developer does, what they typically earn, and how to learn the skills required to land a job. 

What is a Full Stack Developer?

The job of a Full Stack Developer often involves managing the process of software development from the very beginning--and continuing to both maintain and upgrade the software once it has been launched. A Full Stack Developer will lean heavily on coding skills, and will also need to be comfortable working through the build and analyzing along the way. The development process is likely to include both oversight of program testing and feedback as well as follow-up with management as the testing progresses. Any changes that are needed will be implemented by the development team, and the process of testing and feedback will start over again.

While the back end development process relies on technical know-how, the front end process depends equally on an understanding of the needs and usage patterns of the intended audience. A Full Stack Developer should be comfortable with designing the graphical user interface, or GUI, that users will encounter and interact with directly. These elements include navigation menus, images, buttons, and graphs, along with other design elements. 

Full Stack Developers will engage with the entire web development team on a regular basis, including Designers, Project Managers, Product Managers, and any area-specific developers, whether Front End or Back End. Depending on the individual workplace and industry--anything from corporate to nonprofit to government agencies--a Full Stack Developer might be working in-house or remotely. Wherever they’re working, they’ll need to be easily accessible--web development is a fast moving field, and good communication is key to effective implementation and maintenance.

Job Requirements

A Full Stack Developer will need to be comfortable with both front end frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular, and back end languages, including Java, Python, and Node.js. It probably goes without saying that coding will be a huge part of the job, so fluency in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript will be important qualifications before landing a Full Stack Developer position.

Beyond the specifics of coding, a Full Stack Developer will be responsible for tracking changes (as well as any mistakes made along the way), and the most straightforward way to do so will be with a version control system, or VCS. Popular version control systems are GIT, Mercurial, and SVN, each of which offers slight variations on a theme: namely, that they’ll track changes and be backed up remotely (no worries if your computer crashes), allow developers to work independently and then merge their individual versions into a common file, and offer the opportunity for branches, which means you can experiment risk-free.

While most employers do look for Full Stack Developers with a bachelor's degree, the appropriate skills and knowledge will always win out over a degree. A bootcamp can sometimes be enough to land the ideal position, no computer science degree required. Forbes Advisor awarded the Best Full Stack Developer Bootcamp to Noble Desktop on the basis of student experience, affordability, career support, and credibility--so it’s an option worth exploring if you’re ready to kickstart your career.

Full Stack Developers will also benefit from such soft skills as effective communication, attention to detail, growth mindset, patience, and the ability to think critically and creatively. 

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and implement scalable software
• Write efficient and secure code on both the front and back ends
• Maintain and upgrade software as needed
• Create interfaces that are visually appealing, easy to use, and engaging for the user
• Manage databases and applications
• Design Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
• Create mobile responsive features and applications
• Beta test software and troubleshoot when needed 
• Oversee the end-to-end life cycle of software and applications 

Skills

A Full Stack Developer will need to be comfortable with both front end frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular, and back end languages, including Java, Python, and Node.js. Fluency in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript will be important qualifications before landing a Full Stack Developer position. 

A Full Stack Developer will be responsible for tracking changes (as well as any mistakes made along the way), and the most straightforward way to do so will be with a version control system, or VCS. Popular version control systems are GIT, Mercurial, and SVN, and a degree of comfort with one or more of these will be an asset in this position.

AI is changing the landscape in so many fields, and it stands to reason that web development would top that list. Full Stack Developers with AI expertise are currently in high demand, so while it’s not always a requirement, it’s a great skill set to have in your back pocket. Soft skills are important too, such as an ability to communicate effectively, a keen eye for detail, an abundance of creativity, a growth mindset--and a heaping serving of patience. 

Why Do Businesses Need Full Stack Developers?

Full Stack Developers occupy a unique position when it comes to web design: because they understand and can integrate front end and back end operations, they can head a team with expertise in both areas and be fully cognizant of what everyone involved is bringing to the table. Full Stack Developers are able to build a website from scratch, consider SEO, incorporate necessary applications and tools, and then continue to provide support and maintenance--which means they alone may be knowledgeable and up-to-date on the end-to-end life cycle of the software.

From the standpoint of security, bringing on Full Stack Developers ensures online security, since it’s in their job description to build a website that can withstand both data breaches and cyber attacks. Having these developers on the team can also have serious benefits in terms of user engagement and reach: they’ll make sure to optimize the user experience for mobile and desktop, and their understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) will help drive traffic to the website. Plus, Full Stack Developers will continue to maintain and upgrade the software long after the website and apps are up and running, which will contribute to a seamless experience for both the company and the users. 

Where Do Full Stack Developers Usually Work?

While it’s always possible to hire a team that includes both Front End and Back End Developers, many businesses of all sizes will opt for a Full Stack Developer to handle the development and implementation of their website--and this is true across industries. From FinTech to IT, marketing to advertising to nonprofit, corporations and organizations that are seeking a sleek software development process from start to finish will look to a Full Stack Developer to make that happen. 

From the perspective of job flexibility, Full Stack Developers often have a lot of choice: they can work in-house or for an external development company, and depending on the position they may have the option to work in-office, remotely, or in a hybrid position. While they can work full-time, it’s also possible to work part-time or even freelance, which can allow a developer to vary the kind of work they do and build a resume that includes experience across industries.

Full Stack Developer Salary and Job Outlook

It's a great time to be a Full Stack Developer, as the job is in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an expected 16% employment growth between 2020 and 2030 in the general field of Web Developers and Digital Designers, under which a Full Stack Developer would fall--while the total average expected growth across all occupations in that time frame sits at just 3%. 

Web Developer salaries are variable based on level of education, experience, and any specific skills relevant to the project. Still, even those with less than a year’s experience as a Full Stack Developer can stand to take home roughly $102,000, and Senior Developers will make substantially more. 

How Long Does it Take to Become a Full Stack Developer?

There are a variety of paths that can lead to becoming a Full Stack Developer, and each of them has its advantages. Some programmers will start off as front end or back end developers, or in a similar position in web development or database design, before moving on to Full Stack Developer roles. While this route can take four or five years, it has the distinct advantage of allowing developers to gain on-the-job training, effectively getting paid to learn the ins and outs of the next position up the ladder. 

Keep in mind that many companies will want to see a Bachelor’s Degree on your resume, though with the right experience or post grad training that degree won’t necessarily need to be in computer science or a related field. If you’ve got a Master’s Degree in the field, you may find that you have access to the best opportunities and the highest pay. 

If you’re brand new to software development, perhaps with a college degree in the humanities or soft sciences, there is likely to be a steep learning curve--but the process itself doesn’t have to take very long. A Full Stack Web Development Certificate program like the one offered by Noble Desktop is a great option. It includes 420 hours of hands-on instruction, which can be completed in as few as 17 weeks.

Full Stack Developer vs. Web Development Specialist

A Web Development Specialist shares most, if not all, the skills of a Full Stack Developer, but their job description is slightly more limited in scope. Both will need to be fluent in the coding languages required for their respective roles, and will need such soft skills as the ability to communicate effectively, a willingness to collaborate with other team members, and high-level problem solving and critical thinking skills. The main distinction between the two positions is that while a Full Stack Developer handles the entire software stack, creating software, databases, websites, and applications, a Web Development Specialist most often works primarily on the website. One thing is certain: the two will work together to ensure seamless integration of the software and website through development and implementation. 

Learn the Skills to Become a Full Stack Developer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s award-winning Full Stack Web Developer Certificate program offers learners the hands-on training and industry-oriented expertise that will allow for a seamless transition into the software engineering and web development workforce. You’ll learn the fundamentals of coding both the infrastructure on the back end and the user-facing visuals on the front end. Expert instructors provide engaging, hands-on learning through projects that will ensure you both understand and retain the material--and that you stay interested throughout the session.

Noble Desktop’s certificate program offers several advantages, including its competitive pricing structure, flexible schedule, and options for in-person learning in New York City or remote from anywhere. The Full Stack Web Developer Certificate program represents a class bundle that’s offered at a 15 to 25% discount, and Noble Desktop is happy to provide an invoice if you’d like to seek tuition reimbursement from your employer. Plus, you can retake the class for free within a year, allowing you to brush up on your skills as needed.

Perhaps you’d like to start on a smaller scale--and that’s okay too. Rather than diving into the Full Stack Web Developer Certificate Program, you could begin with a boot camp that teaches individual programming languages, like Noble Desktop’s React Development Bootcamp, Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap class, or Web Development with HTML & CSS course. All three offer instruction on individual skill sets that can get you started, and help you determine if your interests are on the front end, back end, or both.

With the relevant training and experience, landing a role as a Full Stack Developer will be straightforward. Noble Desktop can help.