How to Hire On-demand Developers for Your IT Projects

As businesses struggle with a shortage of skilled IT professionals, reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predict a 21% growth in demand for IT talent by 2028 – well above the 5% average growth in other sectors. To bridge this gap, many companies strengthen their teams with external talent.

If you’re new to the model and wondering how to hire on-demand developers, this post is for you. We’ll dive into the key benefits of hiring on-demand developers and how they can help address talent shortages and reduce high local costs. We’ll also focus on the top regions for sourcing tech talent. Let’s get started!

What is a developer on demand?

A developer on demand is a team member you can integrate into your permanent team during periods of fluctuating workloads, short-term project needs, or when specialized expertise is required for a limited time.

Hiring on-demand developers means partnering with an external vendor, often in a different country, to build your tech team. The term “on-demand” emphasizes the flexibility to add developers whenever needed, at any project stage.

Both startups and established companies benefit from on-demand software development, including reduced costs, faster time to market, and more.

Before diving into how to hire on demand developers, let’s explore a few reasons why your business can benefit from this model.

What problems can you solve with on-demand developers?

An overfished pool of local talent. If you’re struggling to find the right mix of skills and expertise for your project, you’re not alone – 44% of companies are grappling with local recruitment. Thanks to remote collaboration, businesses can tap into software development experts from around the world, accessing talent that might be hard to find locally.

How can nCube help you with this? We can help you hire on-demand developers from talent-rich regions like Latin America and Eastern Europe. Our network includes 125,000 engineers with diverse expertise – whether you’re looking for AI/ML talent in Poland, backend developers in Romania, or Java developers in Argentina, and beyond.

An increased demand for niche expertise. The competition for in-demand skills, especially in areas like AI, IoT, Data, and Blockchain, is fierce. You might need something even more specific when it comes to the skills and background of on-demand developers. The shortage of experts in these specialized areas makes expanding your hiring radius to other regions essential.

How can nCube help you with this? We target the exact tech expertise you need for your team, ensuring we find the right combination of skills for your project. Recently, we helped bring in an on-demand developer specializing in Delphi from the aircraft domain. With 16+ years of experience building tech teams, we understand the tech landscape and will use that knowledge to help you find the precise expertise your project demands.

Slow recruitment time. Chances are you’re racing against the clock and need a developer to start as soon as next Friday. The reality is that finding local talent can take weeks if not months. If you’re searching in an overfished local talent pool, your project risks stalling.

How can nCube help you with this? Our expansive network of talent allows us to hire on demand developers who have the right skills and are in your preferred location within 24-48 hours of receiving your request. Our dedicated HR team follows an efficient interviewing process, including technical assessment, communication skills and culture fit interviews, and an English on demand developers proficiency test – everything you need to secure a skilled professional in no time.

The high cost of local software developers. One of the biggest reasons to hire on-demand developers is the high rates of local experts. For instance, the average software developer rate in the U.S., according to Accelerance, is $80 per hour. On top of that, you also need to cover overhead costs and maintain a full-time internal team to manage your tech staff.

How can nCube help you with this? We source on demand developers from regions with lower costs of living but well-developed IT markets. This approach allows you to hire skilled professionals at a fraction of the cost compared to the US or EU, helping you optimize your budget while attracting the experienced talent you need.

Best locations to hire on demand developers

The rising demand for on-demand software development has established Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) and Latin America (LATAM) as prime destinations where businesses go to hire remote development teams. We can be your gateway to accessing top talent in both regions, helping you build the team you need in the tech hub of your choice. 

• Central & Eastern Europe (CEE)

CEE countries like Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Romania have earned their reputation as thriving tech hubs. Overall, the region strikes the perfect balance of skills, cost-effectiveness, time zone alignment, and cultural fit with the Western world. While CEE might not always offer the lowest costs, it makes up for it with top-tier on demand developers who have strong STEM backgrounds and experience working in international environments.

What should you know about CEE to hire on demand?

Average software development rate: $26–$95 per hour

Number of talent: 1.5 million skilled professionals

Key hubs: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Ukraine

Time zone: Ideally suited for EU and UK businesses

Unicorns: 52 companies 

• Latin America

With its proximity to North America and an expansive talent pool, Latin America has naturally emerged as a powerhouse for on-demand programming. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico are top destinations to hire on-demand developers. The region offers over 2 million skilled software developers across a wide range of technologies, along with competitive hourly rates and adequate English proficiency.

What should you know about LATAM to hire on-demand?

Cost: $34–$96 per hour

Number of talent: 2 million skilled professionals

Key hubs: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico

Time zone: Ideally suited for North American businesses

Unicorns: 32 companies 

nCube has a presence in both Eastern Europe and LATAM, so we can help you hire on-demand developers in the location that best suits your talent needs, cultural fit, and time zone preferences.

How to hire the best on-demand developers?

In this section, we’d like to share a few key criteria to guide you in hiring an on-demand developer. These criteria form the foundation of our system for identifying the best candidates for our clients. After all, top-tier professionals don’t grow on trees – you need a keen eye to spot them.

Look for problem-solving skills. The best on-demand developers don’t just bring strong programming expertise – they also excel at tackling challenges and delivering practical solutions. We believe that solution finders will drive your project in the right direction, build intelligent systems, and even foresee issues before they arise.

Prioritize expertise in your domain. Business acumen leads to better results, so it makes perfect sense to hire on demand developers with a proven track record in your industry. At nCube, we specialize in helping clients find developers who have worked in similar fields and are experienced in remote environments.

OOP/OOD knowledge is essential. There’s no denying that modern software solutions rely heavily on object-oriented programming. Your on-demand developers need to be well-versed in OOP/OOD, and we ensure this through our internal tech screening process.

Solid communication skills are a must. Even if you’re hiring just one on-demand developer, they will become a part of your company, which requires seamless teamwork. After all, a software solution is an ecosystem, and its development thrives on staying on the same page. That’s why we prioritize developers with a collaborative spirit, which is a guarantee of smooth interactions within your team.

Motivation is what counts. You need professionals who stay up to date with the latest software development trends. The on-demand developers you’re looking for should be committed to continuous learning. That’s why we prioritize (and encourage you to follow our lead) motivated individuals. As a provider, we ensure each team member has a personal development plan to keep that spark of motivation alive.

Don’t ignore cultural fit. We certainly don’t. In fact, we believe it’s one of the key factors for success in remote environments. It’s natural that your company is unique, and not every candidate will be the right match. By adding a developer on demand who share similar values, you’ll ensure they integrate smoothly and connect with the rest of the team.

Formal STEM education is second to none. For many of our clients, one of the key criteria is a higher education degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering. This requirement is more than justified – a degree indicates that the candidate has a solid technical foundation and a strong drive to grow in the field, ultimately delivering better results for your project.

English skills are key. As we mentioned earlier, communication is vital for project success. It’s impossible to build a strong working relationship without team members speaking the same language. That’s why the on-demand developers we provide are all confident English speakers, with proficiency levels between B2 and C1.

6 Steps to add an on demand developer to your team

Now that we’ve established the key criteria for assessing on-demand developers, let’s walk through the concrete steps to bring them on board.

Step 1. Define your project needs 

Before you add an on demand developer, it’s essential to map out the scope of their work. Where will a developer or team fit into your project’s infrastructure? What specific tasks will they handle? Once you have clarity on this, you can focus on the exact mix of competencies and expertise your on-demand you want to see on your team.

The outcome of this step: A clear set of requirements that your software on demand team members should cover. 

Step 2. Research companies that provide on-demand developers

When it comes to on-demand software development, it’s crucial to keep a few things in mind. The first is relevant expertise. At nCube, we’ve been building teams of on-demand developers for over 16 years. We take pride in helping 120+ tech leaders worldwide find the best tech talent. We’ll ensure you find a team with the experience your domain needs, strengthening your project with the exact skills and expertise required.

The outcome of this step: A list of providers of on-demand developers you pre-selected as candidates to work with.

Step 3. Conduct interviews with selected providers

At this stage, you’ll have a clearer idea of which providers you might want to partner with. Make a list, gather their contacts, and reach out to arrange calls. During these calls, evaluate whether they’ve successfully augmented teams for projects like yours, their level of expertise, workflow, and their company culture and best practices. Above all, be sure they can meet your on-demand hiring needs and align with your specific requirements.

The outcome of this step: A provider you’re ready to test out to see if they can hire on-demand developer as per your request.

Step 4. Approve provided candidates 

After gathering your requirements, your chosen provider forms a pool of fitting candidates, handpicked for interviews with you and your team. Now it’s your turn to dive into the interview process. This step is crucial as you’ll assess the candidates and narrow down to those who are the best fit. At nCube, we only present pre-screened candidates who have successfully passed our rigorous multi-step internal evaluation. 

The outcome of this step: A pool of on-demand developers who have passed both provider screening and client interviews.

Step 5. Sign the agreement

Once you’ve decided to bring an on-demand developer on board, your collaboration kicks off by signing a service-level agreement. At nCube, we’re flexible and ready to sign any contracts you find necessary to get started.

The outcome of this step: Congratulations! You’ve successfully hired a team of on-demand developers.

Step 6. Manage your team 

We go beyond helping you hire on demand talent. We integrate your new team members seamlessly into your homebased squad. We go the extra mile to build your own dedicated development team that works as an expansion of your local unit, with engineers working exclusively for you 40 hours / 5 days per week. We take care of everything – from ensuring your developers’ comfort and personal development to handling payroll, IT infrastructure, office space, and more. To top it off, we achieved an impressive 2% unforced retention rate last year – a testament to how happy our teams are.

The outcome of this step: A skilled team of developers working under your leadership, while we take care of their comfort.

 Why hire on-demand developers with nCube?

We know for sure that hiring in-demand developers can significantly reduce your time to market while maintaining high-quality standards. Yet finding the right provider is key. Our rigorous standards for on-demand development have helped clients like doTerra, Life360, and Viber build strong software development teams. Our main advantages are:

• Top-tier talent from Europe and Latin America: We connect you with the top 1% of software developers who bring exceptional technical skills, relevant experience, and the right background. Only 1 in 5 candidates we interview gets the chance to meet with our clients.
• Tailored to your needs: We don’t just help you hire on demand talent – we build teams that align perfectly with your specific goals and requirements.
• Efficient and in line with your budget: Our talent-centric approach ensures you get the expertise you need, while trimming the extra cost associated with in-house teams, including employee bonuses, retention programs, payroll, office administration, and more.
• Seamless integration: The developers we provide fully integrate into your team – adopting your culture, processes, and best practices.
• Full control, your way: You retain complete control over project decisions, task delegation, and the daily workflow of your engineers.

Enough about us – let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your goals. Contact us, and we’ll get started!