iOS Developer [Remote Jobs]
What does an iOS Developer do?
An iOS Developer/Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining high-quality iOS applications for Apple’s mobile devices such as the iPhone and iPad.
Their key responsibilities include:
- Prototyping, coding, and optimizing iOS applications to ensure they are functional, efficient, and meet user needs.
- Implementing application updates and fixing coding bugs to ensure the apps continue to work properly.
- Collaborating with designers and other developers throughout the application development process.
- Integrating APIs and RESTful web services into the mobile apps.
- Demonstrating expertise in iOS-specific programming languages like Objective-C and Swift, as well as iOS frameworks and development tools like Xcode.
- Adhering to Apple’s design principles and interface guidelines to create intuitive and visually appealing user experiences.
- Optimizing app performance, offline storage, and threading.
- Participating in the full software development lifecycle, from prototyping to deployment and maintenance.
iOS Developers/Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field, along with practical experience in mobile app development. The role requires strong programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and an understanding of UI/UX design principles.
What are the most common job titles for iOS Developers?
The most common job titles for iOS Developers include:
- iOS Developer
- Mobile App Developer
- iOS Software Engineer
- iOS Application Developer
- Junior iOS Developer
- Senior iOS Developer
- iOS Development Team Lead
- Director of Mobile Engineering
- iOS Engineer
- iOS Designer
The search results highlight that iOS Developers can take on a variety of roles, from entry-level to senior leadership positions, focused on developing, designing, and managing iOS applications and software. The most commonly used job titles reflect this range of responsibilities and experience levels within the iOS development field.
What are the key skills required for an iOS Developer?
The key skills required to become an iOS Developer/Engineer include:
- Proficiency in iOS-specific programming languages like Objective-C and Swift.
- Expertise in iOS frameworks and development tools like Xcode, UIKit, Core Data, etc.
- Experience with the full mobile app development lifecycle, from prototyping to deployment and maintenance.
- Ability to integrate APIs and RESTful web services into mobile apps.
- Understanding of UI/UX design principles and adherence to Apple’s design guidelines.
- Optimization skills for app performance, offline storage, and threading.
- Familiarity with software design patterns, algorithms, and ability to measure performance.
- Proficiency in writing test cases and conducting unit testing.
- Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field.
iOS developers need a combination of technical skills, design knowledge, and soft skills to be successful in this role. Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest iOS technologies and best practices is also crucial.
What are some common tools used by iOS Developers?
The common tools used by iOS Developers include:
- Xcode: The integrated development environment (IDE) created by Apple for building software for Apple platforms, including iOS. It supports coding in languages like Swift, Objective-C, C, and C++.
- Swift and Objective-C: The primary programming languages used for iOS app development. Swift is a newer, more modern language while Objective-C is the long-standing language for iOS.
- Simulators: Tools that allow iOS developers to test and debug their apps on simulated iOS devices without needing physical hardware.
- AppCode: Another IDE tool, similar to Xcode, that provides features like code analysis, refactoring, and integration with other development tools.
- CocoaPods: A dependency manager that simplifies the process of integrating third-party libraries and frameworks into iOS projects.
- XCTest: Apple’s built-in unit testing framework that allows developers to write and run automated tests for their iOS app code.
- AppFigures: An analytics and insights tool that helps iOS developers track the performance, ratings, and user reviews of their apps.
- Applyzer: A tool that allows iOS developers to monitor the ranking and optimization of their apps in the App Store.
How to find a job as an iOS Developer?
Here are the key steps to find a job as an iOS Developer:
- Research companies and find the best fit for you:
- Look for companies that offer positions you think you can stick with for at least 1-2 years.
- Even as a first job, try to find a role that aligns with your long-term career goals.
- Polish your portfolio and showcase sample projects:
- Develop and showcase sample iOS apps you have built to demonstrate your skills.
- These projects should go beyond just following tutorials and showcase your ability to work on more complex applications.
- Build a network in the iOS development community:
- Attend meetups and conferences to connect with other iOS developers.
- Learn from the experiences of more senior iOS developers in your network.
- Continuously learn and improve your skills:
- The need to learn never stops, even after getting the job.
- Maintain a learning routine to stay up-to-date with the latest iOS technologies and best practices.
- Prepare thoroughly for job interviews:
- Be ready to showcase your portfolio and discuss the technical details of your projects.
- Research common iOS developer interview questions and prepare answers.
- Practice your interview skills, as they will improve with more experience.
Is it possible to work remotely as an iOS Developer?
It is indeed possible to work remotely as an iOS Developer.
The key points are:
- Remote work can be a successful and powerful tool for iOS development teams, but it requires some upfront work and consideration of best practices.
- Some of the key benefits of remote iOS development include better work-life balance, time and cost savings, and a focus on meeting goals rather than just presence in the office.
- To make remote iOS development successful, it’s important to get buy-in from the team, have a clear process for code review and feedback, and ensure effective communication using the right tools and rules.
- While remote work may not be optimal for all teams, especially those used to in-person collaboration, with the right approach it can enable iOS developers to be more productive and build great apps.
- Many companies are actively hiring for remote iOS developer roles, as the demand for skilled iOS talent continues to grow.
What is the job outlook for iOS Developers?
The job outlook for iOS Developers is very positive, with strong projected growth in both the number of jobs and salaries over the coming years. The demand for skilled iOS talent appears to be high and increasing, making this an attractive career path for software developers.
The key points are:
- The projected job growth rate for iOS Developers in the US is 21% from 2018 to 2028. This is significantly higher than the average job growth rate across all occupations.
- Over the next decade, about 284,100 new jobs for iOS Developers are projected to be created in the US. This indicates strong and growing demand for skilled iOS development talent.
- The number of active iOS Developer job openings in the US is currently over 237,700. This large number of open positions further demonstrates the high demand for iOS Developers.
- iOS Developer salaries have increased by 10% in the last 5 years, reflecting the growing value placed on these skills.
- Many companies are actively hiring for remote iOS Developer roles, as the pandemic has accelerated the need for mobile app development and remote work capabilities.
What are the average salaries for iOS Developers?
The average salaries for iOS Developers are:
- According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an iOS Developer in the USA is $106,901 per year.
- The usual salary range for an iOS Developer in the USA is around $70,000 to $165,000 per year.
- ZipRecruiter reports the average iOS Developer salary in the USA to be $99,506 per year, with a range of $35,000 to $161,000.
- Salary.com states the average iOS Developer salary in the USA to be $100,563 per year, with a range of $85,000 to $113,000.
- Entry-level (junior) iOS Developers earn on average $71,000 to $91,000 per year.
- Senior iOS Developers earn on average $130,000 to $154,000 per year.
- iOS Developer salaries can vary significantly by location, with higher salaries in countries like Australia and Germany compared to India or Egypt.
Overall, the average salary for an iOS Developer in the USA falls within the range of $100,000 to $110,000 per year, with significant variation based on experience level and geographic location.