backend developer.

As a backend developer, you build a website from scratch and ensure its functionality. You need strong programming skills and a keen eye for detail to make sure the backend technologies run smoothly.

Typical functions you perform as a backend developer include, among others:

• Backend engineer: as a backend engineer, you focus on the technically interesting and innovative aspects of a web project. You are responsible for server-side scripting, as well as the development and management of the entire software in the backend area. This enables the frontend developers to access the website's data structure.
• Database administrator: as a database administrator, you are responsible for developing and managing the databases. Your tasks include performing regular backups and updating permissions to ensure that the databases support the website efficiently. To work as a database administrator, you should be familiar with SQL and data science tools, among other things.
• Solution architect: as a solution architect, you develop software that helps a company scale its online capabilities. You leverage your expertise to design solutions and implement them for the business.

how much do I earn as a backend developer in a permanent position?

According to statistics, the median starting salary for backend developers in Switzerland is CHF 68,000 per year. With several years of experience, senior developers typically earn around CHF 132,000 on average. You can earn more if you take on a leadership role or manage a team of backend developers.

The work as a backend developer is often associated with long working hours. If you're willing to take on the demanding schedule, you can earn more through overtime pay and additional allowances. Some companies also offer bonuses and performance-based incentives. In many cases, extra-mandatory contributions to the pension fund, free training courses, progressive policies for maternity or paternity leave, and other benefits are part of the compensation package.

in which industry do I earn the most as a backend developer?

Banks, insurance companies, consulting firms, as well as IT and telecom companies are particularly generous. Besides the industry, the size of the company also plays an important role. Larger companies have more resources and are involved in more complex projects. As a result, the pay is higher. Additionally, in big companies, you work alongside several developers and can specialise in specific areas of web development.

Small start-ups, on the other hand, have limited resources and their projects tend to be smaller in scope. As a result, they often pay comparatively less. Working in a young, dynamic company offers a great opportunity to learn, especially since you'll be handling a variety of tasks at the same time. Ultimately, the most important lever to increase your income as a backend developer is to improve your experience and training.

As a backend developer, you work at a high level of abstraction. For example, you develop specific algorithms or work with data mining. Unlike a frontend developer, you need solid computer science knowledge. The following qualifications are particularly suitable:

• University or higher technical college: most backend developers have completed a degree in computer science at ETH Zurich, EPFL, a university, a Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences), or a Höhere Fachschule (Higher Technical College). The studies not only provide you with fundamental programming skills but also the theoretical knowledge needed to successfully handle your tasks.
•  Informatics apprenticeship: an alternative to university studies is an apprenticeship in information technology with a specialization in application development, which concludes with the Swiss Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ). During your training at the workplace and in vocational school, you will learn various backend development techniques. After completing the apprenticeship, you have the opportunity to further enhance your qualifications by obtaining the Swiss Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (EFA) as an application developer. The apprenticeship also provides a solid foundation for later studies at a higher technical college or university of applied sciences.
• Continuing education and certifications: the half-life of practical knowledge is extremely short in the IT sector. That’s why, as a backend developer, you need to keep updating your skills regularly. Courses leading to a certification are particularly popular. Another way to learn new programming languages and techniques is by attending a coding bootcamp. Bootcamps are intensive courses that usually last only a few weeks or months. They often also include support from a mentor who helps you develop your programming skills.

There are hardly any companies, organisations, or authorities today that do not have a website or an intranet. As a result, there is also hardly any area of economic and public life that can do without specialists in backend technologies. Accordingly, the demand for backend developers is high. As a backend developer, you can find jobs in almost all industries, such as IT and telecommunications, banking and insurance, e-commerce, and manufacturing. Many positions are offered by larger companies that maintain their own IT departments. Smaller, innovative businesses, like tech startups, also provide attractive job opportunities. Besides that, you can also work as a backend developer freelancer.

The backend development requires a higher level of expertise and technical skills than frontend development. With experience as a programmer in another area of software development and the right further training, switching over shouldn't be too difficult. For example, if you have certifications in backend programming languages like Java, PHP, Python, Ruby, or C++, you'll also have good chances of landing a job in the backend field as a frontend developer. A scientific or technical degree combined with programming experience is also a solid foundation for a role as a backend developer. Some larger companies also offer internal training programs that allow employees from other IT areas, such as system administrators or webmasters, to specialise in backend development.

Working as a backend developer offers you interesting career prospects with good opportunities for advancement. You can progress from a junior backend developer role to a senior position or take on team leadership responsibilities. For a management role, you'll need the ability to oversee an entire development project. You also have the option to shift your focus to other areas of software development, such as application development, game development, or mobile app creation. Alternatively, over the course of your career, you could become a software engineer or specialise in database administration.

As a backend developer, you should have the following skills:

• Programming skills: you should be a proficient programmer. Excellent knowledge of backend programming languages such as Java, PHP, or Python is essential for performing your job.
• Willingness to learn: you need a continuous willingness to learn in order to keep up with the rapid changes in web technologies.
• Communication skills: good communication skills help you collaborate effectively with frontend designers and other developers to create a seamless user experience.
• English skills: the lingua franca of information technology is English. Good command of spoken and written English is therefore an important prerequisite in backend development.
• Time management skills: as a backend developer, you work on multiple tasks at the same time. Without good time management, you won't be able to meet deadlines.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as a backend developer.
✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable contact person whenever you need one, personal advice really matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ continuing education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? often, there’s the possibility of securing a permanent position afterwards. many well-known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.

your professional development budget as a backend developer at randstad.

If you work as a backend developer for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTraining program from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will get the course fees reimbursed later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge, all during your working hours as a backend developer.

Have you found your dream job as a backend developer? It’s not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalized documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to improve your chances:

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about working as a backend developer can be found here.