Full Stack Developer Role in Fintech

To use a metaphor from the cricket world, a full stack developer is a specialist all-rounder.

In the IoT world, a full stack developer is a specialist with both the front end and the back end of web development.

Simply, the front end comprises all the user-facing elements of a computer application. And the back end consists of all the unseen elements of technology that make the front end work. This includes everything that computes business logic, processes user requests and stores and analyzes data.

Front-end developers use client-facing programming languages like HTML, JavaScript and CSS to design, build and render an engaging website. They conceive and create those parts of a website that are visible to end-users. They simplify complex technology processes for users, making them easy to use on multiple viewing environments like smartphones, tablets and desktops.

Back-end developers are programmers who build and sustain the proprietary software that runs a company’s servers and databases. They build the pathways that channel information back and forth from users who are using the front-end interface.

Full stack development integrates the front-end and back-end programming functions. It deals with the entire architecture of a website or computer application.

Full stack developers are, therefore, thought-to-finish specialists. They can handle both front-end and back-end requirements. They have the ability to build and deliver web pages, websites and web applications from when the idea is conceived to when it goes live and thrives in a customer environment.

Full stack developers in fintech

Fintech firms are constantly pushing the boundaries to use technology powerfully to make their businesses more competitive. They are focused on reducing costs and enhancing efficiency and profits.

Full stack developers have a big role to play in this endeavor.

First, full stack developers have to imagine a complete, seamless, user experience. They then have to combine front-end technologies like HTML, CSS and JavaScript to build the interfaces that deliver a superior user experience. Even as they are doing this, they must build applications, develop and maintain servers and design and mine databases in the back end. They must then ensure a powerful interplay between the front end and the back end so that the business and its customers both stand to gain.

Who is a full stack developer?

In reality, full stack developers have the unique ability to work on two sets of technologies. One, called LAMP, refers to Linux Operating System, Apache, MySQL and PHP.02. And the other, called MEAN, refers to a collection of JavaScript technologies.  

Typically, companies are looking for these specific skills in a full stack developer.

For the front end

• Experience in client-side web technologies.
• Knowledge of JavaScript frameworks like AngularJS 4+, JS-based build tools like Grunt, Gulp and Bower.
• Knowledge of web fundamentals like HTML, JavaScript, ES6 and CSS.
• Knowledge of CSS pre-processors like Sass or LESS.
• Experience with working on libraries like jQuery or Backbone.js.
• Knowledge of front end (CSS) frameworks like Foundation or Bootstrap.
• Knowledge of AJAX.
• Electron experience is an advantage.

For the back end

• Experience in server-side web technologies.
• Experience in API design and development.
• Knowledge of CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete).
• Knowledge of RESTful Services.
• Knowledge of web fundamentals like HTML, JavaScript and CSS.
• Knowledge of server-side languages like Node.js, J2EE, Apache and Nginx.
• Knowledge of database technologies like MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB.
• Knowledge of frameworks related to server-side language of choice like Express.js and TypeScript.
• .Net and C# experience is an advantage.

Additional secondary skills

• Mobile languages such as Ionic 3 and React Native.
• Education: software/engineering degree or equivalent
• Excellent (English) communication skills

What makes a full stack developer special?

Like in any other field, in the technology space too, subject matter expertise is always in demand. While it may be argued that being a specialist front-end developer or a specialist back-end developer in itself denotes a sharp focus, there is no denying the fact that employers do like to have specialist all-rounders on their teams.

In the fintech sector, this assumes greater significance because companies want end-to-end solutions to be conceived of, designed, built, launched and maintained seamlessly. Again, to use a metaphor from cricket, employers don’t want any dropped catches. And full stack developers are the ones who can meet and fulfill this requirement.

Fintech firms want full stack developers who can:

• Think up powerful, customer-centric, websites and web applications.
• Deliver on their ideas from thought to finish.
• Expertly prototype, create and build websites while working closely with user interface teams.
• Employ sturdy front-end architecture to design powerful user experiences.
• Lead the server and database management functions efficiently.
• Communicate with customers and users effectively to constantly recalibrate the product’s efficiency.

The way forward to becoming a full stack developer

Calling yourself a full stack developer is easy. But becoming one requires relentless training, lots of experience and continuous skilling.

Your personal journey to becoming a full stack developer will always be unique. It will depend on your pre-existing experience and skill sets. Based on these, you can draw up a roadmap to further educate yourself.

However, no matter how much you already know and where you start, it is imperative that you must have mastery over a few key skills. These include:

• HTML.
• JavaScript.
• CSS.
• SQL/NoSQL.
• Java.
• DOM Manipulation.
• Object-oriented programming.

Being good with these skills will help you build a strong foundation for yourself in your role as a full stack developer.

Cutting-edge technology companies are continuously looking for people with full stack developer competencies. Being in that role means that you will be in the forefront of designing and launching new, transformational, technology solutions. You will be exploring hitherto unchartered frontiers on the technology landscape. You will also be working with the best brains in the business.

The scope for career growth and personal development is immense in the full stack developer space. You surely do have a chance to become a specialist in a very niche and advanced field.