How to Vet and Hire Engineers as a non-Technical Founder
You don’t need an in-house tech expert to find the right developer. Follow these steps to get the best help.
1. Write Down Your Idea #
Write what you want to build. Please keep it simple! Describe the problem and how your product solves it. Refer to Geoffry Moore’s “vision of the product” .
2. (Optional) Get a Tech Advisor or Fractional CTO #
Find a senior tech lead or a part-time CTO. They can help you hire the right developer.
This is the best option. It is even cheaper and safer than hiring a development agency (dev shop). They know what to look for in a good developer and can guide you through the process.
Learn about the benefits of a Fractional CTO . See how to recruit one at zero cost .
3. Hire Two Part-Time Developers #
Hire two part-time developers instead of one full-time. They can check each other’s work, keeping them honest and productive.
4. Look for Specific Skills #
Search for developers who use Test-Driven Development (TDD). They write tests first, then code. To understand the importance of TDD, read Why and How to Use TDD: Main Tips for Testing .
Find those who have set up Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD) . They can update your product quickly and safely.
Look for developers from countries that win programming competitions: Eastern European countries, China, the United States, South Korea, and India.
5. Find managers of one #
Look for developers who have worked directly with founders. These people know how to communicate with non-tech people and provide great empathy. Learn more on Basecamp Blog: Hire managers of one .
6. Use Lean Startup #
Learn about Lean Startup principles. First, build a simple version of your product. Test it with users. Improve based on feedback.
7. Empower Your Team #
Empower your team to create solutions. Make them accountable through Impact Mapping. This helps align their work with your business goals. Read about Aligning Remote Teams with OKRs and Impact Mapping .
8. Set Up a Transparent Process #
Use Kanban boards to track progress. This lets you see what developers are doing without managing them. For more on managing remote teams, read Kanban for Distributed Teams .
Learn about Work-In-Progress (WIP) limits to keep tasks manageable. Discover how WIP limits improve productivity in this article .
9. Keep Communication Open #
Confirm that developers will provide daily asynchronous text updates. This keeps everyone on the same page. For tips on effective communication, check out How to Make Small Valuable Async Standups .
10. Protect Your Interests #
Use contracts that cover clear termination terms and deliverables. To protect your business, include clauses on non-compete and no soliciting.
11. Run a 2-week trial project #
The interview does not provide real experience. Running a paid 2-week trial project is a great solution to confirm a match. Some staffing agencies offer free trials .
You can find the right developer without being technical. Use these steps to guide you. With the right team, your startup can succeed.