What Is a Full Stack Software Developer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A full stack developer understands the entire “stack” or layers of programming within software technology. For this job, you should be familiar with all areas of software development and how they interact with other platforms. Your responsibilities include the development of front-end and back-end coding, an understanding of different servers, networks, and hosting environments, how to use application program interfaces (API), and managing quality assurance. Education requirements for this career include a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Jobs as a full stack software developer are a good foundation for a career in IT.

To become a full stack software developer, you need to understand the different layers of a program. Full-stack developers have the skills to work on both front-end and back-end elements of a development project. While developing a web application, for example, your responsibilities include working with front-end languages like HTML and JavaScript, and back-end codes like PHP or SQL. The exact coding qualifications that you need depend on the type of platform on which you work, but you can pursue certifications in multiple languages to prove your skills. Your duties also include utilizing development frameworks and documentation tools.

Job Summary

Our company is looking to hire a full stack software developer to join our software development team. In this position, you will be responsible for coding both sides of the program, so our ideal candidate has experience with both front-end languages (HTML, JavaScript) and back-end languages (SQL). A certificate in one or more programming languages is a plus. We prefer applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, but we are willing to work with you if you have a strong portfolio of past projects. We also need candidates that have experience with front end frameworks and tools, such as AngularJS, JQuery, and Microsoft SQL Server.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop both front-end and back-end architecture
• Create databases and libraries using SQL
• Ensure software is compatible on multiple platforms
• Coordinate with other developers
• Create progress reports for your supervisors

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science (preferred)
• Portfolio of past work
• Certificate in HTML, JavaScript, and/or SQL (preferred)
• Experience with Model View Controller development strategy
• Communication skills
• Organization and time management skills