What Does a Full Stack Developer Do?
A full stack developer builds and maintains both the front end and back end of web applications. They are responsible for developing everything from user interfaces and interactive features to server logic, APIs, and databases. This role requires a broad technical skill set and the ability to shift seamlessly between layers of a technology stack to deliver complete, scalable solutions.
Full stack developers work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to turn ideas into fully functioning software. They debug cross-functional issues, optimize performance, and may also assist with deployment and cloud infrastructure. Their versatility allows them to lead features from design through launch, ensuring cohesive and reliable functionality across platforms.
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Full Stack Developer Core Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain both front end and back end components of web applications
- Design responsive user interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript frameworks
- Build and maintain RESTful APIs and server-side logic
- Create and manage databases, including schema design and data optimization
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define technical requirements
- Write clean, testable, and scalable code
- Deploy applications using CI/CD pipelines and containerization tools
- Monitor and troubleshoot issues across the stack
- Stay up to date with modern development tools, practices, and trends
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in front end technologies (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript) and frameworks (React, Angular, or Vue)
- Experience with back end languages and frameworks such as Node.js, Python, Java, or PHP
- Database management skills (SQL, NoSQL)
- Understanding of REST APIs, version control (Git), and containerization (Docker)
- Familiarity with DevOps workflows, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and CI/CD tools
Soft skills
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Effective communication across technical and non-technical teams
- Time management and task prioritization in agile environments
- Ownership mentality and ability to work independently
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with GraphQL, serverless architectures, or headless CMS
- Knowledge of performance optimization and security best practices
- Familiarity with test automation frameworks like Jest, Mocha, or Cypress
National Average Salary
Full stack developer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Full Stack Developer is:
$121,270
Sample Job Description Templates for Full Stack Developers
Java Full Stack Developer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Java Full Stack Developer to design and build enterprise-grade applications using Java-based back end frameworks and modern front end technologies. This role requires experience across the full software development lifecycle, from API design to UI implementation and deployment.
Responsibilities
- Develop server-side logic using Java and Spring Boot
- Create responsive front ends using Angular, React, or similar frameworks
- Build RESTful APIs and integrate with external services
- Design and maintain relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL)
- Write unit and integration tests using JUnit or Mockito
- Collaborate with QA and DevOps for deployment and versioning
- Document code and participate in code reviews
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in Java, Spring Boot, and front end frameworks like Angular or React
- Familiarity with Maven, Gradle, Git, and RESTful architecture
- Experience with SQL databases and API security
Soft skills
- Ability to work on multiple tiers of an application
- Clear communication across teams
- Consistent and test-driven development habits
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or cloud deployment
- Familiarity with Hibernate or JPA for ORM
Python Full Stack Developer
Position Overview
We’re hiring a Python Full Stack Developer to create web applications using Django or Flask for the back end and a modern JavaScript framework on the front end. Ideal candidates have experience building scalable, data-driven systems and intuitive UIs.
Responsibilities
- Build secure APIs and services using Django or Flask
- Create reusable front end components using React or Vue.js
- Work with relational or NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
- Perform data manipulation, query optimization, and ORM modeling
- Handle authentication, authorization, and user session management
- Write tests using PyTest, Unittest, or equivalent frameworks
- Manage codebase using Git and support CI/CD integration
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong Python and Django/Flask knowledge
- Front end experience with React, Vue, or similar
- Familiarity with API design, SQL/ORM, and Git workflows
Soft skills
- Strong analytical thinking and data modeling skills
- Collaborative approach to product iteration
- Detail-oriented and accountable
Education
- Degree in computer science, engineering, or related field
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with Celery, Redis, or REST API rate limiting
- Experience working on data-heavy or analytics platforms
Node.js Full Stack Developer
Position Overview
We’re looking for a Node.js Full Stack Developer to develop modern applications using Node.js on the server and JavaScript frameworks on the client side. This role involves building scalable APIs, handling real-time communication, and deploying apps with speed and reliability.
Responsibilities
- Build scalable back end services using Node.js (Express, NestJS, etc.)
- Create interactive front ends using React or Vue
- Handle asynchronous data flow, event-driven architecture, and real-time features (e.g., WebSockets)
- Work with document-based or SQL databases
- Write modular, well-tested code and maintain reusable components
- Integrate third-party APIs and manage API keys securely
- Deploy apps via Docker or serverless frameworks
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced JavaScript/TypeScript and Node.js knowledge
- Familiarity with Express, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and Redis
- REST/GraphQL integration experience
Soft skills
- Independent worker with cross-functional communication skills
- Fast problem-solving under agile workflows
- Passion for end-to-end ownership of features
Education
- Degree or bootcamp in full stack development or equivalent experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with CI/CD tools and containerization
- Familiarity with microservices or message queues (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka)
MERN Stack Developer
Position Overview
We’re hiring a MERN Stack Developer to deliver full stack web applications using MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. This role focuses on building high-performance, scalable products using one cohesive JavaScript ecosystem.
Responsibilities
- Develop front end features using React with hooks and state management tools (Redux, Context)
- Create RESTful APIs using Express and Node.js
- Manage data models and queries using MongoDB
- Implement authentication, routing, and API integration
- Optimize application performance and structure
- Handle deployments using cloud platforms or container services
- Debug and maintain codebase collaboratively in Git
Requirements
Hard skills
- Full fluency in JavaScript and MERN stack technologies
- Experience with NoSQL schema design and API logic
- Familiarity with Git, NPM, Webpack, and cloud hosting
Soft skills
- Team player with fast iteration mindset
- Comfort balancing front end aesthetics and back end functionality
- Strong self-organization and testing habits
Education
- Certificate, degree, or demonstrable experience in full stack JavaScript
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Next.js or server-side rendering
- Background in eCommerce or SaaS platform development
Cloud-Native Full Stack Developer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Cloud-Native Full Stack Developer to design and deploy applications optimized for cloud environments. This role focuses on scalable architecture, containerization, serverless workflows, and continuous deployment pipelines.
Responsibilities
- Develop full stack apps with APIs and UIs hosted in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
- Use cloud-native tools such as Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, or Firebase
- Build front end interfaces in React, Angular, or Vue
- Implement serverless functions, container apps, and microservices
- Configure CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, CircleCI, etc.)
- Monitor deployments and troubleshoot via cloud dashboards and logs
- Enforce application security, scaling, and resource optimization
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Proficiency in modern front end and back end development
- Familiarity with infrastructure as code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation)
Soft skills
- Comfortable with distributed systems and asynchronous operations
- Team-oriented with DevOps collaboration skills
- Solution-focused and automation-minded
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in cloud-native app development
Preferred Qualifications
- Cloud certification (AWS Certified Developer, Azure DevOps Engineer, etc.)
- Experience deploying and maintaining containerized or serverless applications