Other than creating awesome apps, Android developers come with a much wider range of duties. Learn about the various Android developer responsibilities and the different roles they take in development.
In today’s digital age, there’s pretty much an app for everything. With the onset of a global pandemic, the reliance on tech services is even more evident. From food delivery services to health tracking, there is indeed an app for every move. Hence, there’s an even greater need for mobile developers. Android developers, in particular, are in high demand.
People tend to favor Android over iOS. In 2022, Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system, with a market share of almost 70%. With that said, Android developers are becoming the most sought-after talent by various companies.
However, even with Android’s popularity, most people don’t know what exactly Android developers do. Today, we’ll look into the roles and responsibilities of an Android developer. We will discuss the full details of their duties, as well as their areas of accountability. Here are the key points:
- What is an Android Developer?
- Roles of an Android Developer
- Android Developer Responsibilities
- Android Developer Job Requirements
- Hire an Android Developer
Let’s start by defining the role itself.
What is an Android Developer?
To define an Android developer’s job, let’s first discuss Android development.
Android is a mobile operating system created through the Linux kernel. It’s a robust system developed by Google that includes libraries, a graphical user interface, applications, and more. Although Android is best recognized as a smartphone operating system, it also runs on tablets and TVs.
Let’s get a better understanding of how Android evolved as a project and how it became the top pick in the market today.
Android in the Market
Consumers are definitely familiar with Android and iOS, the top mobile operating systems (OS) dominating the market. But since 2014, Android has had a winning streak when it comes to usage. Today, it stands as the most popular OS with over 2.5 billion active users in 190 countries.
Android was initially created as an open-source alternative to iPhone and Palm OS. However, it quickly outperformed its competition. Today, tech giants like Samsung, Sony, and LG have pretty much taken over the market. They’re also manufacturing a wider selection of Android devices.
So, how come people are favoring Android? Here are some of its benefits:
- User-friendly design
- Cheaper market price
- broader device compatibility
- Flexible customization
On the development side too, Android encourages creativity and innovation. The sky (and budget) is the limit for Android developers in creating a great mobile app. This leads us to the next point of our discussion, Android developer responsibilities.
Roles of an Android Developer
Android developers tend to take on multiple roles in a development cycle. They are involved in every stage of the project, from planning to deployment to maintenance. Furthermore, they are responsible for the team’s internal tasks, such as recruitment and training.
So, here are the roles an Android app developer takes on.
1. Application Designer
One of the primary Android developer responsibilities involves application design with interactive UI (User Interface). UI refers to how a user interacts with an app’s features. An Android developer creates a program that is easy to navigate and looks attractive to the users.
It should be accessible and appropriate for all ages and sections. A good understanding of UI design is necessary to create a highly functional and appealing app.
2. Application Developer
An Android developer can work with all kinds of programming languages like C, C++, Java, and JavaScript. The programming language will depend on the type of platform the developer will work with. Developing Android apps demand a solid understanding of both code and design.
And, the programmer must maintain a reusable and easily comprehensible code environment that is easy to change or debug. They must continuously update the program to maintain an adaptable coding structure.
3. Tester
Android developers must regularly test their applications and repair errors efficiently. They must inspect their code to sift through any possible errors before it is ready for launch. They have to run tests on a page in order to successfully debug it.
Additionally, they must get feedback from the consumer to ensure that the requirements are met. They can only go live with the website when the consumer has accepted it and the site has been fully assessed.
4. Maintenance
Another primary responsibility of an Android programmer is to troubleshoot and resolve bugs. When producing application code, the Android developer’s job is to remove bugs and sift through potential bugs. Upon app deployment, the Android developer is responsible for troubleshooting and maintenance.
5. User Support
To keep users happy, an app must be responsive in the shortest amount of time. If an application takes a long time to open, users are less likely to open it again. As a result, android developers must be mindful of the application’s reaction time should be as short as possible. They create apps that provide consumers with excellent performance and quality.
This function entails putting out updates to maintain the applications running smoothly. They must guarantee to check all security procedures, as well as to detect problems when they arise.
6. Database Manager
Because practically every software handles a big quantity of data, database management is critical. Data synchronization between local storage and external databases is required to utilize the program offline. This is why Android developers need a thorough understanding of databases. Specifically, SQLite is important for saving data permanently in Android development.
Android Developer Responsibilities
Android developers have a wide range of duties. They’ll have to collaborate with several people and work with a lot of technologies in every project. Here are the top priority tasks of an Android developer:
- Create advanced Android applications by designing and developing them.
- Work with cross-functional teams to identify, create, and implement new features.
- Collaborate with external data sources and APIs
- Unit-test code for robustness, as well as edge cases, usability, and overall dependability.
- Work on bug fixes and performance enhancements for the program.
- Continually seek out, assess, and adopt new technologies in order to increase development efficiency.
Android Developer Job Requirements
When it comes to hiring an Android developer, the skill requirement would often depend on the project. Developers typically specialize in a particular programming language and certain sets of tools to use.
However, many senior developers possess a more versatile set of skills and experience. In the end, you’ll have to evaluate the candidate’s portfolio carefully and see if they match the project’s requirements.
Here are some of the fundamental skills required of an Android developer:
- A degree in any computer-related subject such as computer science and engineering
- Android development expertise with Kotlin, Java, Android SDK, and Android NDK.
- Proven work expertise with mobile architectural design patterns and frameworks such as MVVM/MVC/MVP
- Understanding of RESTful APIs is required to properly integrate Android applications.
- Expert knowledge of code versioning systems such as Git
- Experience with a variety of testing tools
- Experience with code analysis
Hire Android Developers from Full Scale
Recruiting developers is a time-consuming and difficult task. It’s especially challenging if you’re trying to hire mobile developers who are in great demand. As a result, many companies are extending their recruitment abroad. Some are partnering with offshore software companies to find the best candidates.
If you’re looking to hire talent beyond your area, Full Scale can help you hire Android developers overseas. We’ve created a comprehensive screening method to ensure that only the best candidates get onboard. Let’s talk! Learn more about our offshore software development services.
