Hire Ruby on Rails developers pre-screened for technical and cultural fit

Ruby on Rails (RoR) developers build high-powered but lightweight platforms using the Ruby programming language and the Ruby on Rails framework. Because developers use Ruby on Rails to build platforms much faster than in other languages, and time to market is a significant consideration for many development teams, Ruby on Rails developers are still in high demand. Given the more limited talent pool, organizations will likely have to put considerable effort into attracting and vetting Ruby on Rails developers.

What Is Ruby on Rails Development?

Ruby on Rails delivers speed and power to development as a framework for the Ruby programming language. Ruby is already a simple, elegant language that lets developers build complex applications faster.

Ruby on Rails makes Ruby even faster by providing conventions for handling stateful data, asset management, routing, and other common tasks. These upfront solutions save developers time when they’re building applications.

Both startups and well-known brands use Ruby on Rails in their applications, including Shopify, Crunchbase, Dribble, and GitHub. While developers often use Ruby on Rails for server-side tasks, it has multiple uses, such as mobile application development.

Why Ruby on Rails Development?

Companies may choose to invest in Ruby on Rails development for several reasons. It follows two main principles, which are Convention over Configuration and Don’t Repeat Yourself. These philosophies facilitate fast development and feature pre-built conventions that allow developers to focus on business logic over coding procedures. This increased speed leads to cost-efficient development.

Developers often use Ruby on Rails for back-end development, but it is a full-stack framework. Developers have everything they need to build complete web apps with it. Using Ruby on Rails as a full-stack framework simplifies many compatibility issues and the development process as a whole. Developers also lean on the large, active Ruby on Rails community and ecosystem to leverage solutions and plug-ins which increase app functionality.

Benefits of Ruby on Rails Development

Companies that use Ruby on Rails development count on various benefits due in large part to a robust user-generated library of software development solutions. Some of the advantages of utilizing Ruby on Rails for web applications include the following:

• Ecosystem: The Ruby on Rails ecosystem consists of a significant amount of gems, which are libraries with pre-built solutions that assist in web app development.
• Testing: Rails has a built-in testing framework. The test-driven development that Rails uses leads to applications that are high-quality and reliable. Because testing is an integral part of the development process, Ruby on Rails development results in fewer bugs and more stable products.  
• Community: Ruby on Rails boasts an active community because of its popularity and maturity. Community members contribute knowledge, guides, and tutorials in forums that developers use to solve issues quickly.

What Does a Ruby on Rails Developer Do?

Ruby on Rails developers are usually responsible for building the back end of web applications and connecting their builds with other back-end web services. They also support front-end developers by ensuring the two seamlessly connect. More specifically, RoR developers perform several key tasks, including: 

• Maintaining responsibility of sound server logic 
• Minimizing resource usage throughout the life cycle of a Ruby application
• Defining back-end components
• Troubleshooting and debugging code during back-end development
• Occasionally implementing user-facing features

At the junior level, Ruby on Rails developers will mainly be testing and debugging code and may be responsible for writing some components. Senior-level developers often spend more time meeting with stakeholders, problem-solving, and leading teams than writing code.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Ruby on Rails developers need several technical skills to perform their work effectively. A deep understanding of the Ruby syntax and how it pairs with the Rails framework is vital. Developers need to understand object-oriented programming and how to utilize the Ruby ecosystem to optimize development.

As Ruby on Rails is a server-side technology, developers should understand back-end concepts such as database management. Familiarity with database systems such as PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and MySQL is vital. They should also know how to write migrations, design database schemas, and perform queries using Active Record.

Developers who have DevOps skills improve development timelines. If they're familiar with version control systems, they also help to improve teamwork and collaboration. These developers also know how to automate repetitive tasks and are familiar with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment pipelines, speeding up development.

Hiring managers need to consider soft skills like time management that increase the efficiency of Ruby on Rails developers. For a project to progress along the initial timeline, developers must determine which tasks are more important and execute those first.

Motivation is another important trait for developers. Those who avoid reliance on extrinsic means to motivate them are more successful in the long run. These developers take it upon themselves to stay up to date with the newest technologies and updates. Through methodologies like Agile, developers take ownership of their growth, which enhances their knowledge base and problem-solving skills.

Popular Ruby on Rails Development-Related Languages & Libraries

Ruby on Rails developers must have proficiency in the Ruby language and the Rails framework. Ruby is a back-end, object-oriented language. Developers use Ruby for data processing, prototyping, and web development. When Ruby pairs with Rails, it becomes a full-stack web development framework. Rails is an open-source, model-view-controller (MVC) framework. Its purpose is to allow developers to build web applications quickly and easily.  

Related Languages

While Ruby on Rails is suitable for full-stack development, developers often benefit from learning additional languages. Some front-end languages that are fundamental to web development that Ruby on Rails developers should be familiar with include:

• HTML: Developers use HyperText Markup Language (HTML) to structure web pages. HTML allows developers to work with text, links, and images to create a layout.
• CSS: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a programming language that developers use to create the visual design and style of a web page.
• Javascript: Developers use JavaScript for front-end development. It builds upon HTML and CSS to add dynamic content, such as machine learning and real-time updates, to websites. JavaScript pairs with back-end runtime environments such as Node.js, an excellent tool for creating RESTful APIs.

Some developers may benefit from learning other back-end languages such as Python, Java, and PHP, which expands their approach to problem-solving.

Related Libraries and Frameworks

Apart from the Rails framework, Ruby on Rails developers use other libraries and frameworks to help streamline workflows and facilitate faster development. Some of the more popular libraries and frameworks that Ruby on Rails developers use include:

• Vue.js: Vue.js is a Javascript framework developers use to build UI and single-page applications. Ruby on Rails developers use Vue.js to enhance the front end of their application. Developers can then integrate Vue.js with the Rails framework through Webpacker.
• RSpec: RSpec is a testing framework for the Ruby language. It uses a behavior-driven development framework that writes and tests Ruby code.
• Sprockets: Ruby on Rails developers use this Ruby library to compile and serve web assets in apps. Sprockets organize, process, and package assets to make them easy to manage and deploy.

Popular Ruby on Rails Development Programming Tools

Despite gems providing useful tools and pre-made solutions for development, there are advantages to utilizing several third-party applications alongside Ruby on Rails. Developers optimize Ruby on Rails development using some of the more popular tools, including:

• Git: Developers utilize the version control system Git to allow multiple developers access to past and present versions of code from remote locations. Git tracks and stores previous versions and edits of code so that developers are able to reference them. This system allows for improved collaboration and faster development.
• Docker: Developers use Docker to automate the deployment of apps inside of software containers. Docker allows developers to build, run, update, manage, and deploy containers, which help facilitate consistent environments and streamline development.
• AWS: The e-commerce platform Amazon Web Services (AWS) has a specific Software Development Kit (SDK) for Ruby. Developers utilize this tool to integrate Ruby applications with AWS services.

How Does Ruby on Rails Development Fit Into Modern Back-end Development?

Ruby on Rails remains a popular choice for creating RESTful applications and APIs, as RoR is a scalable framework that supports high-traffic apps. It also has several built-in features that optimize testing and security, protecting against threats such as SQL injection and cross-site request forgery.

Ruby on Rails developers have access to a robust ecosystem consisting of libraries called gems. Gems speed up and optimize development, including providing libraries of code, wrappers for external libraries, and plugins. Ruby on Rails easily integrates with client-side frameworks like Angular, React.js, and Vue.js through Webpacker. This integration allows developers to access the JavaScript ecosystem to improve UI and UX design.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ruby on Rails Developer?

With four to six years of experience, a mid-level Ruby on Rails developer in the US earns an average salary between $83,000 and $146,000. Back-end software developers in almost all languages command premium salaries. Factors such as location, industry, and applicant experience affect these estimates. Additionally, compensation in the form of yearly bonuses, stock options, or company equity may significantly increase these figures.

While Ruby on Rails developers in Latin American countries are equally skilled, the lower cost of living means they’re usually paid 30%-50% less than their US counterparts, with salaries varying based on location and experience. Revelo provides a cost-effective solution while offering highly qualified, pre-vetted Latin American developers.

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Finding Ruby on Rails Developers for Your Project

Finding the best Ruby on Rails developers for your team is often challenging. Companies will need to consider a project's scope and determine the overall goals before initiating the hiring process. Figuring out which technical capabilities and soft skills are essential to perform the required tasks effectively beforehand will save time and effort in the long run.

To find and attract the widest range of top-level prospects, hiring managers must post detailed job descriptions on job search sites. Leveraging personal and professional networks to connect with Ruby on Rails developers may provide opportunities to seek out candidates. Hiring managers should also look online through social media networking sites such as LinkedIn and online developer communities and forums such as GitHub and Stack Overflow. While Ruby is not as widely used as it used to be, there are still an abundance of full-stack programmers who are well-versed in the framework.

The overall process of finding and hiring Ruby on Rails developers is extensive. The time and effort that goes into the search for top-tier candidates diverts resources away from other areas of the business that could be used for company growth and expansion. Businesses that want to conserve their resources may want to consider consulting a talent agency, such as Revelo.

Why Hire Ruby on Rails Developers With Revelo?

While it's possible to find and hire experienced and qualified Ruby on Rails developers, the process is often long and challenging. If you’d like more hands-on help hiring Ruby on Rails developers, consider working with a talent development partner like Revelo. At Revelo, we deliver solutions in all phases of the hiring process.

We provide access to our talent pool and a list of highly qualified, pre-vetted Ruby on Rails developers—saving you organizational time and resources. After hiring, Revelo offers ongoing support through administrative tasks such as payroll, benefits administration, taxes, and local compliance.

Contact us today and learn how Revelo can help you hire Ruby on Rails developers and build a successful development team.

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