C++ Developer: Job Description, Skills, Salary, Ad Template

The views expressed in this post are the writer's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Aloa or AloaLabs, LLC.

Being a multi-paradigm programming language, finding the right C++ developers for the job will require you to craft the perfect job description, complete with details about skills and salary.

Put a little thought to it and you’ll be faced with numerous applications from unqualified C++ developer candidates. They can either be unfamiliar with the project you’re looking to work on or have limited knowledge about the language altogether. Thus having a well-crafted C++ developer ad is your first-level filter for the right programmers for the job.

features of c++ in a diagram

In this article, you’ll learn what essential elements a C++ developer job description should include, skills you can require, the salary range you can accommodate, and a sample ad template to make hiring an awesome C++ a whole lot easier. With well-thought criteria, you’ll find the right match easier and faster.

Let’s get right to it.

What Should A C++ Developer Job Description Include?

A C++ developer’s job description tells potential candidates what exactly the job is about (like if it’s a database system, operations software, or game development project), what it entails, and what is expected from them. It outlines what the business is about, the context of the job at hand, plus the functions and responsibilities the candidate should possess to fit the criteria.

To put that simply, a job description should include:

  • A brief introduction to the position
  • Company background
  • Skill qualifications or requirements
  • Responsibilities
  • Pay and benefits

We’ll consider each one on the list so you’ll know what information you should put in it. At the end of this post, we’ll give you an ad template you can just tweak around to fit the criteria of the C++ developer you’re looking to hire.

Let’s consider the first 2 points on the list and cover the rest in separate sections to discuss them comprehensively.

Brief Introduction To The Position

The introduction to the C++ developer position should be able to answer the following questions:

  • Why does the role need to be filled?
  • What does this role play in the team and in the organization?

So a brief introduction can look something like this:

Our company (state name of company) is looking for talented C++ developers who are skilled in building and designing native mobile applications, desktop applications, and embedded systems to streamline processes and create profitable tools for our users. The software engineer will work with our IT team using modern object-oriented practices in writing modular and scalable C++ code.

Or another example would be:

We are recruiting 3 C++ developers who will be responsible for creating desktop applications for embedded devices. Your primary role will be to design and create the apps together with the other 2 members of the team. Additionally, you will need to coordinate with different teams to develop other layers of the infrastructure.

Company Background

For the company background, you should be able to provide information like:

  • What the company does
  • What its vision is
  • What makes it unique
  • What it’s like to work for your team and company

The company background can go something like this:

We help startups with software solution needs to help them give more time to growing the business by letting us simplify the complexity of the business processes and operations involved. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we provide them with our project progress tool, so they monitor the milestones whenever and wherever they want.

Working with our company, you’ll be able to enhance your team cooperation skills and learn evergreen skills and processes from our senior C++ developers to help you grow your experience and skill set. We offer flexibility with work arrangements but will require you a standard schedule twice a week for progress meetings.

Or you can be as brief as:

We at (company name) are a highly driven team of experienced IT developers. Our goal is to create a collaborative atmosphere with all our tech talents in order to attract and retain high-end clients who turn to us for their business solution needs. We are one of the fastest-growing companies in (location), and we’re open to accepting more developers to help the growing demand for our firm.

Skill Qualifications And Requirements For A C++ Developer

Someone coding at laptop

Here’s where you should list down the specific technical and soft skills you’re looking for a qualified candidate. In this section, you should be able to answer the following questions.

  • What technical skills are needed
  • What soft skills are required
  • What work or project-related experiences should the ideal candidate have?
  • Do I have certain preferences to include? (work hours, location, language)

While there is a whole range of qualifications you can include, putting them all down can end you up short in applicants. If you have little idea about what to require candidates, here is a list of the basic prerequisites you should include.

  • Basic understanding of RDBMS databases
  • Strong knowledge of C++ programming skills
  • Strong command of the English language
  • Excellent knowledge of computer systems (networks, operating systems, and computer architecture)
  • Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Strong debugging skills
  • Good knowledge of algorithms, STL containers, and data structures
  • Basic knowledge of network stack (NIC, CPU, and its related drivers)
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks
  • Knowledge of other development languages like Python and Java
  • Understanding of the latest C++ development standards
  • Preferred years of experience working in the industry
  • Knowledge of the .NET framework, SQL, and MS SQL
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft and its tools

For additional skills you want to include, you can choose from any on the list below. If you feel that it’s better to consult with an application development expert, you can contact us at Aloa for assistance.

  • Knowledge of C++ templating
  • Understanding of C++ specific notions and dynamic polymorphism
  • Comprehension of memory management for non-garbage collected environments
  • Good understanding of writing native modules of high-level languages like Go and Node.js
  • Familiarity with Valgrind (language tool), system call wrapper library functions
  • Knowledge of continuous integration
  • Expertise in implementing automated testing platforms
  • Excellent understanding of code versioning tools like SVN, Git, Mercurial
  • Knowledge of component data sheets and their specifications
  • Knowledge of real-time environments and low-level threading primitives

To make things easier for you, there’s also a basic and specific set of requirements depending on the role you’re looking to fill

For a Junior C++ developer (entry-level), the basic requirements are:

  • 0-3 years of experience
  • Basic understanding of RDBMS databases like oracle and SQL server
  • Basic knowledge of database administration
  • Basic understanding of SCM or software configuration management
  • Excellent knowledge as a Unix and C/C++ programmer
  • Latest knowledge of development methodologies and modern software design

For a Senior C++ developer, the requirements are:

  • 4-6 years of experience
  • High understanding of RDBMS databases
  • Long experience as a C/C++ developer
  • Can work with modern web development tools for emerging applications
  • Has advanced knowledge of modern SCM, testing tools, and methodologies
  • Can define security and quality standards
  • Should have a strong knowledge of database administration and project management
  • High understanding of Linux
  • Long experience in using integrated development environments like Visual Studio and Eclipse

Responsibilities Of A C++ Programmer

Outlining the responsibilities of a C++ developer is different from listing all the required skills he must have. In most cases, you’ll be working with 2 or more developers, especially when dealing with complex projects; hence you need to explain the role they will be playing so there won't be an overlap of responsibilities. No two people will work on the same tasks, and no software engineer will miss any vital step in the process.

When writing about the responsibilities of the developer you’re looking to hire, you can first ask yourself these 2 questions:

  • What are the main deliverables for this role?
  • What do the day-to-day dynamics of this role look like?

Some of the most common responsibilities you can include are:

  • Plan and design for the software development project
  • Build and maintain reliable, efficient, and reusable C++ code
  • Implement and monitor quality and performance modules
  • Manage C++ backend programs to communicate with frontend Java data
  • Update code quality and implement best practices for the automation need of the organization
  • Identify bottlenecks, do debugging, and create solutions to the problems
  • Manage code releases using SVN
  • Create automated scripts using selenium IDE
  • Lead historical data migration
  • Fine-tune SQL and database
  • Generate reports for stakeholders
  • Take part in developing HTML and CSS templates for the benefit setup module
  • Analyze existing software and find ways to optimize performance when redesigning database structure
  • Do parallel tests and automation tests using TestNG
  • Implement a configuration system for managing application settings

The responsibilities will differ depending on the project type, length, and volume of developers working on it. Some responsibilities are required for game development but aren’t needed for manufacturing solution applications. It’s best to consult with experts like us at Aloa to help you build the most efficient team to create high-quality software projects the way you envisioned them to be.

Aoa homepage

Pay And Benefits Of A C++ Developer

There are no hard and fast rules on how much you pay your developer and how many benefits you include in the contract. There are a lot of variables to consider, like the complexity of the software project, the expertise and location of the candidate developer, and the work arrangements agreed on.

You can either choose to hire a developer for an hourly rate whether working part-time or full-time. You can also pay them per project or per project milestones. But to give you an idea, here is one of the latest salary statistics for C++ developers.

  • The average salary of a C++ developer in the US: is $102,666/year
  • Entry-level salary: $74,000
  • Average hourly pay: $49.36
  • Top-earning C++ developer salary: $141,000/year
  • Industries with the best salary rate for C++ developers: manufacturing, finance, and technology
Average salary for a C++ developer

You can use these figures together with the skill level of your C++ developer candidate to determine how much you should pay them.

As for the benefits, you can choose from either of the following:

  • Statutory benefits
  • Bonuses (for finishing earlier or on time, for work punctuality, for reaching business targets/milestones, etc.)
  • Ongoing training benefits

Now that we have discussed all the elements in a C++ developer’s job ad let’s put them all together so you can have a template you can follow when you create yours.

Ad Template For A C++ Developer

We are recruiting junior C++ developers who will be responsible for creating desktop apps for embedded devices. Your primary role will be to design and create the apps together with the other members of the team and you will coordinate with another team for developing different layers of the infrastructure.

We help startups with software solution needs so they can give more time to scale the business by letting us simplify sophisticated business processes and operations. Our edge is that we provide clients with our project management tool, so they monitor the milestones automatically.

You’ll become a team player and develop soft and evergreen skills as you work with our senior C++ developers to help you grow your experience and skill set. We offer flexibility with work arrangements. However, we will require you a standard schedule once a week for progress meetings.

Required Skills: (6-8 bullet points)

  • At least 3 years of experience
  • Basic understanding of RDBMS databases like oracle and SQL server
  • Basic knowledge of database administration
  • Basic understanding of SCM or software configuration management
  • Excellent knowledge as a Unix and C/C++ programmer
  • Latest knowledge of development methodologies and modern software design

Optional But Preferred Skills: (6-8 bullet points)

  • Knowledge of C++ templating
  • Understanding of C++ specific notions
  • Excellent understanding of code versioning tools like SVN, Git, Mercurial
  • Familiarity with Valgrind (language tool)
  • Knowledge of continuous integration
  • Expertise in implementing automated testing platforms

Responsibilities: (5-8 bullet points)

  • Plan and design for the software development project
  • Consulting with stakeholders for the work scope and needed design and process adjustments
  • Build and maintain reliable, efficient, and reusable C++ code
  • Implement and monitor quality and performance modules
  • Identify bottlenecks, do debugging, and create solutions to the problems
  • Generate reports for stakeholders
  • Do parallel tests and automation tests using TestNG
  • Keep up with modern C++ standards

Pay And Benefits:

We’re willing to pay you $30/hour for a 40-hour workweek. If you work the full 40 hours, you’ll be given a $50 bonus. Additional benefits include:

  • Statutory
  • Access to web-based upskill training
  • Internet allowance

In some cases, you’ll have to create recruitment or outreach email templates as well. Here are examples you can follow:

Outreach Email For C++ Developers

Mail entering a mailbox

Subject: Join our awesome team of elite C++ developers at Aloa!

Dear (insert candidate’s name),

I am (name) and I work in the HR department of Aloa as a recruiter. I came across your profile on LinkedIn (other social media platform or job board). I was very impressed with your skills and the sample project in your portfolio (describe additional info on the skill or project).

We are currently running short of C++ developers in our team with the growing demand for software engineers from our clients. We think you’re going to be a great addition to our team. Here are some of the awesome projects we’re working on: (insert a link to projects).

If you find this offer interesting, please email us back, and we’d like to explain more in detail over a call.

Have a great day, and I’m hoping to hear back from you.

Kind regards,

(Your name)

Follow-up Email For C++ Developers

Subject: We think you forgot to message us back

Hi (insert candidate’s name),

I hope you’re doing great!

Were you able to read my previous email?

We’re looking for another impressive C++ developer to add to our team and I thought you would be a great fit. We’ve currently been working on some cool game development projects and thought you might be interested to be part of it.

If you’re wondering what it's like to work with our company and our team, here’s a quick video to show you around (insert video link).

I hope you find this opportunity interesting. Drop me an email so we can talk more about this offer.

Have a great day!

Kind regards,

(Your name)

Conclusion

Finding the right developer to help you with your software projects can look daunting if you don’t know where to start. But if you have a good idea of what your job ad should include, finding the right fit should be a breeze. Plus, you won't even have to worry about getting candidates that don’t fit the criteria.

Did you find this article and the templates in it helpful? We’d like to know how we can assist you further. We’ll even make the hiring process easier for you by doing the vetting ourselves so you can ensure you have the best C++ developer for the job.

If you’re ready to talk about it, hit us at [email protected] and we’ll get the ball rolling from there. We hope to hear from you soon!

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