RocketLevel Hiring Guide

When browsing RocketDevs a company can choose the caliber of developer annotated by RocketLevels. This guide is designed to assist companies in making informed decisions when hiring developers through RocketDevs' platform. Whether you are a startup looking for technical talent or an established company seeking to augment your engineering team, this guide will provide valuable insights and considerations between our three competency levels (L1, L2, and L3).

L1 (1 Rocket: 0-2 years of experience)[~$980/mo] - Associate Level

Choose an L1 when:

Junior-Level Experience: You are open to hiring individuals who are early in their software development careers, typically with 0-2 years of experience.
Cost Optimization: You have budget constraints and are looking for a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality.
Skill Development: You are willing to invest in skill development. At a minimum, we assess our L1s for competence in their domains. Nevertheless, L1s do their best work when they are supported by more experienced developers at the L2 and L3 levels.
Team Collaboration: You value their fresh perspectives, adaptability, and enthusiasm, which can contribute to a collaborative team environment. Most developers agree that the first years of Software Development are the most passionate years! Am I wrong?

L2 (2 Rockets: 2-4 years of experience)[~$1650/mo] - Mid-Senior Level

Choose an L2 when:

Intermediate Expertise: You need a developer with a firm grasp of software development principles and a proven track record. While they might not have the breadth of experience as an L3, they've successfully tackled a variety of challenges and can handle moderately complex projects.
Collaborative Development: They are often well-suited to working as part of a larger team, complementing both junior and more experienced developers.
Architectural Input: While they might not be the chief architects, L2 developers can offer valuable input on system design based on their experience with different tools and methods.
Problem Solving: You're seeking someone who can efficiently troubleshoot and solve problems as they arise, drawing from their growing bank of experience.
Stakeholder Communication: They can effectively communicate with peers and may have started interfacing with stakeholders, although might not yet be as adept as an L3 in aligning technical solutions with broader organizational goals.

L3 (3 Rockets: 4+ years of experience)[~$2700/mo] - Senior Level

Choose an L3 when:

Technical Leadership and Project Management: You require someone who can lead and manage a team of software engineers, oversee project delivery, and ensure successful execution.
Architectural Design and System Scalability: You are working on large-scale projects that demand expertise in designing scalable and maintainable software systems.
Technical Strategy: You need someone to define and implement technical strategies, make architectural decisions, and drive the technical direction of the team or organization.
Mentorship and Skill Development: You want an engineer who can provide mentorship to junior team members, facilitate knowledge sharing, and foster a culture of continuous learning.
Stakeholder Management: You require someone who can effectively communicate with stakeholders, understand business requirements, and align technical solutions with organizational goals.