How to Find a Skilled Rust Coder?

The modern tech market is developing at lightning speed, and new programming languages emerge to close the gaps in the existing ones. One of such innovations is Rust; it was designed by Graydon Hoare and saw the world in 2010. Within a bit more than a decade, Rust has expanded globally, gaining popularity among coders for its multi-paradigm and general-purpose logic, concurrency, and a rich set of programming tools. Besides, Rust has found many applications in the blockchain and crypto universe.

Here is a detailed guide to help you identify skilled Rust developers and hire them for your new software projects. Use these criteria during headhunting and recruitment to ensure that only skilled, experienced coders are on board.

Why Is Rust Popular?

There are many reasons to love Rust and choose it as your preferred development language. First, it is multi-purpose, giving you a ready toolkit for numerous projects, from web browsers to OSs, to blockchains and server software. Second, it has taken the best features of C++, OCaml, Erlang, and Haskell, providing a rich and functional development environment.

The features that attract business owners to Rust include impressive performance and code safety. Programmers adopt Rust because of its safe concurrency and memory safety. Users enjoy using Rust-powered software because of its user-friendliness and sleek design.

Thus, all in all, Rust comes with numerous advantages for all involved stakeholders, promising a developer-friendly programming tool for safe and efficient software product creation. These pros have led to the gradual adoption of Rust by tech giants like Facebook, Dropbox, Google, and Microsoft, to name just a few.

Skills Expected from a Rust Coder

So, once you’re planning a Rust project and need a specialist working in this programming language, what skills should you focus on? Here is a breakdown of the Rust coder’s duties you can expect them to fulfill in your company.

Code writing in line with the project specifications.
Design of Rust algorithms and flowcharts for software project completion.
Maintenance and optimization of the existing Rust-powered software.
Collaboration with other team members and managers on the alignment of client requirements and project specifications.
Testing and debugging of the ready Rust code pieces.
Analysis of user feedback for Rust software improvements.
Technical documentation of the coding process.

To work well and complete all these duties, Rust developers are expected to possess the majority of these skills and qualifications:

Background knowledge and practical expertise with C++, Node.js, React.js, Golang, etc.
Expertise in handling complex data structures and algorithms.
Practical skills in secure coding.
Code audit and debugging skills.
Network programming mastery.
Code and performance optimization aptitude.
Understanding of the software development lifecycle.
Knowledge of multi-threaded programming techniques.
Problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.
Mastery of Rust components, like Clippy, Rustfmt, and Cargo.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or related discipline.

Though many Rust programmers are self-taught experts, it still makes sense to look for professionals with verifiable credentials. Having a certificate or diploma from a reliable organization is always a plus in the job search, and skilled Rust coders typically invest in lifelong learning to become better masters. The certificates you may consider are:

Udemy’s Rust code certificates.
The International Institute of Technology’s Rust Programming Certificate.
Building Real Applications: the Learn Rust course at Udemy.
Certificates by Rust Foundation.

In-House vs. Outsourced Recruitment

A coder’s recruitment depends on many factors, one of which is the in-house versus outsourced recruitment model. Some companies need in-house staff to create a team for numerous projects and hold all software development processes under one roof. Others need coders for a short-term project, so they look for a remote Rust workforce.

Using the in-house hiring approach comes with the following pros:

You’re in full control of the development process.
You have a well-matched in-house team for a series of software projects.
No communication delays or inefficiencies.
The development process is safe and NDA-protected.

This approach also has some cons:

In-house hiring comes with additional costs, like paying taxes and organizing the office space and equipment for new staff.
Setting up an in-house team in line with the tech stack requirements takes much time.
Your location may offer only costly human resources (e.g., North America, Western Europe).

If the cons outweigh the pros, it may be better to look for an outsourced variant. It is beneficial in many ways:

You get access to the global talent pool.
You can hire a software development agency with a ready team with the needed tech stack.
You are free to choose teams with more competitive rates in locations like Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe.
You’re much more flexible in the agency’s choice.

Obviously, this model also comes with considerable cons, such as the time difference, a lack of language and culture match, and looser control over data. However, these issues are manageable if you’re ready to invest time and effort to address them.

Where to Look for a Rust Expert?

If you’re okay with hiring an outsourced Rust provider, many options are open for you. You can ask business partners or friends for referrals, post a vacancy on your official website or social media, and ask people for word-of-mouth vacancy dissemination. Who knows, maybe a capable Rust coder lives next to you, looking for a good job opportunity?

More active online search options are also viable. Check the popular platforms for freelance coder recruitment, such as Upwork, LinkedIn, ZIP Recruiter, and TopTal. Go to the professional Rust forums and communities to post your job offering. Google the Rust coding firms in the region of your interest to see whether you can find an affordable all-inclusive option. You’ll see that many Rust coders are available; scan their resumes for the skills and competencies we’ve mentioned above, and you’re sure to find a perfect match for your project.