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The Ultimate Guide for Hiring Jira Developers
Jira plays a crucial role in modern project management, especially for teams aiming to streamline workflows and improve collaboration. Its flexibility allows teams to customize processes, track tasks, and manage issues efficiently.
However, to make the most of Jira, you need more than the platform itself—you need to hire Jira developers who can skillfully configure workflows, integrate tools, and fine-tune the system to fit the specific needs of your teams.
No idea where to start? We’re here to help. At BairesDev, we’ve built a reputation for hiring the top 1% of talent. In fact, clients across 100+ industry sectors trust us to connect them with the best Jira developers for their projects.
This guide draws from over a decade of our hiring experiences. From technical and soft skills to sample interview questions, get the insights you need to hire Jira developers to optimize your processes and support your growth.
Before You Start Hiring
Project or Team Requirements
Clearly define how your team uses or plans to use Jira. Are you handling complex, multi-team software projects or streamlining customer support workflows? Is your team struggling with inefficient backlog management? Or are you looking to optimize sprints? Starting with a clear understanding of project requirements will help you hire Jira developers who can fine-tune Jira to your exact needs.
Experience in Your Preferred Methodology
While Jira can be adapted to various methodologies, it's beneficial to hire a Jira developer who’s familiar with the one your team uses. For instance, someone with experience in Agile methodologies can set up and improve sprints, manage backlogs, and create real-time reports that keep projects on track. Someone who’s used waterfall or hybrid methods configure workflows that track tasks and milestones in sequence.
Collaborative Mindset
Jira is all about enhancing collaboration, so it’s wise to hire a Jira developer with a collaborative mindset. From development and QA to customer support, look for Jira developers who can create workflows and boards that clarify task ownership and keep everyone working towards common goals.
Adaptability
As your projects and business grow, your Jira needs will change. Seek out a Jira developer who can quickly adjust workflows, integrate new tools, and accommodate team expansion. From updating processes to bringing in new systems, their adaptability keeps Jira aligned with your evolving business needs.
Communication Skills
Clear communication is key for Jira developers as it affects project efficiency and transparency. Concise user stories ensure clear requirements, while accurate workflow documentation and task tracking keep the team organized. Developers with strong communication make Jira a tool that enhances visibility, keeps tasks on track, and drives continuous improvement for your team.
18 Skills Every Jira Developer Should Have
Whether you're running software development sprints, managing IT service desks, or handling customer support workflows, Jira’s adaptability makes it an essential tool for teams worldwide. But how do you find a top Jira engineer or developer with the right blend of skills to fit your specific needs?
Look for these key skills to hire Jira developers who improve project execution, reduce bottlenecks, and boost productivity.
Technical Skills to Look for in Your Ideal Jira Developer
1. Jira Administration
Your new Jira developer should be skilled at configuring Jira workflows, schemes, and permissions. Customizing Jira Core in this way helps your development team work more efficiently and meet project goals.
2. Custom Plugin Development
An experienced Jira engineer should be able to develop custom plugins using Java or the Atlassian SDK. These plugins extend Jira’s functionality, offering tailored solutions that drive business success.
3. Workflow Automation
Expertise in automating workflows using Jira Automation or ScriptRunner is essential. This streamlines processes and reduces manual tasks, improving productivity, especially in agile methods.
4. Integration with Other Tools
A Jira developer should be familiar with integrating Jira with tools like Confluence and Bitbucket via REST APIs. This boosts collaboration within your development team and connects different parts of your toolchain.
5. Jira Query Language (JQL)
Mastery of JQL is crucial for building advanced queries and tracking project data. This allows your team to create custom reports and track key metrics effectively.
6. Database Management
Understanding database systems such as MySQL or PostgreSQL is important for optimizing Jira performance and managing data at scale.
7. Agile Methodologies
Knowledge of agile methods like Scrum and Kanban is a must. Your Jira developer should configure Jira to align with your team’s workflow and help keep projects on track.
8. Security Configuration
Your developer should manage user permissions and security settings, ensuring your project data stays protected while maintaining proper access controls.
9. Jira Cloud and Data Center Management
Experience with Jira Cloud and Jira Data Center helps developers handle complex environments that require flexibility and scalability.
10. Custom Reporting and Dashboards
A developer with a proven track record in creating custom dashboards and reports provides clear insights into team progress and project health, helping to inform better decisions.
11. Scripting and Automation
Scripting with Groovy enhances automation within Jira. This allows developers to solve time-consuming issues and simplify repetitive tasks.
12. Version Control and CI/CD Integration
Experience with version control systems like Git and integrating Jira with CI/CD pipelines helps streamline development processes and gives teams more visibility.
13. API Development and Integration
A strong Jira developer should be proficient in Jira’s REST API for integrating with external systems like React Native for mobile projects or other tools crucial to your operations.
14. Mobile and Web Optimization
Your Jira developer should optimize for both web and mobile, making it accessible across all platforms, wherever and whenever your team needs it.
Soft Skills to Look for in Your Ideal Jira Developer
15. Communication Skills
In any Jira project, effective communication bridges the gap between technical and non-technical team members. Every Jira developer needs to explain technical requirements clearly, write concise user stories, set up task descriptions, and keep stakeholders informed. This keeps teams aligned and minimizes misunderstandings or delays.
16. Problem-Solving
Jira developers regularly encounter challenges such as workflow bottlenecks or integration issues with tools like Bitbucket and Confluence. Strong problem-solving abilities allow them to quickly identify issues and implement solutions to minimize downtime and keep projects on track.
17. Adaptability
As project requirements change, your Jira developer will need to remain flexible. That means they can modify workflows, integrate new tools, or shift between methodologies like Scrum and Kanban. An adaptable developer responds quickly to new demands, so the system supports evolving team needs.
18. Attention to Detail
Even minor misconfigurations in Jira can disrupt workflows or lead to missed tasks. A Jira developer who pays close attention to detail accurately configures permissions, workflows, and custom fields to prevent errors that could delay progress or disrupt task tracking.
9 Questions to Identify Top Jira Developers
When interviewing a Jira developer, it's important to ask questions that first assess the candidates' technical skills and knowledge. Employers will also usually conduct a coding test to further assess specific on-the-job knowledge.
The following set of questions aims to uncover not only the developers's technical knowledge but also their problem-solving abilities, teamwork, communication skills, and adaptability—all crucial traits for success in a collaborative environment.
Here are a few examples of technical interview questions:
1. How do you approach setting up a custom workflow in Jira?
First, I focus on understanding the project’s specific needs and how tasks are going to flow from start to finish. Once I have a clear picture, I jump into Jira’s workflow editor to build custom statuses and transitions that fit that process. I also think about who needs access at each stage, so I set permissions accordingly.
Automation is also a big part of it. I like to reduce manual tasks wherever possible, like moving issues automatically between stages when certain conditions are met. This helps the team stay focused without worrying about every little transition.
2. How would you integrate Jira with other tools like Confluence or Bitbucket?
Since Atlassian products work so well together, integrating Jira with Confluence or Bitbucket is pretty smooth using application links.
For Confluence, I connect Jira issues directly to relevant documentation—things like meeting notes or project plans—so everything’s in one place. With Bitbucket, I set up triggers so that when a commit is made, it automatically updates the Jira issue. That way, the development and project management sides stay in sync without extra manual work.
3. What is your process for managing Jira permissions for different team members?
I begin by determining what each team member needs access to based on their role in the project. Then, I’ll set up the permission schemes in Jira to match those roles. For example, developers might need the ability to transition issues but not change them, and managers may need access to generate reports but not edit tasks.
I also use security levels for sensitive data. This keeps certain information visible only to the right people. It’s about balancing accessibility with control, so everyone has what they need, but nothing more.
4. Can you walk us through how you use Jira Automation to optimize workflows?
I use Jira Automation to take the repetitive work off the team’s plate. For example, if an issue hits a certain status, I’ll set it up so Jira moves it automatically to the next step or assigns it to the next person in line.
I also like to set up notifications for blockers or important milestones so stakeholders are updated without having to manually track every little thing. This helps keep everything moving smoothly and prevents anything from slipping through the cracks.
5. Describe your process when setting up a new Jira instance for a development team.
This helps gauge the Jira developer's organizational skills and approach to configuring projects, workflows, and permissions according to specific team requirements.
6. How do you stay up to date with new Jira features and updates in the cloud infrastructure?
A Jira developer must stay current with the latest Jira updates and cloud infrastructure changes. This question helps determine the candidate's commitment to continuous learning and ability to leverage new functionality.
7. How do you ensure collaboration between different teams using Jira, particularly when they have distinct workflows?
This question assesses how the Jira developer accommodates multiple teams with varying needs while maintaining system cohesion.
8. Describe a time when you had to integrate Jira with another tool like Confluence or Git.
This question helps evaluate the what experience the Jira developer has with integrations and their ability to improve workflow management by connecting Jira with other tools critical to the development process.
9. Give an example of how you’ve improved a Jira system’s security configuration in the past.
This question probes the Jira developer for experience with securing Jira environments, including role-based access control and protecting sensitive data.
FAQ
Are Jira developers in high demand?
Yes, demand for experienced Jira developers continues to grow as more companies implement Jira for agile project management and IT service management. Freelance Jira developers and in-house experts are highly sought after in industries like software development, finance, and healthcare. These developers streamline workflows and integrate Jira with other essential tools.
What should I include in a job description to attract top Jira developers?
When writing a job description to hire Jira developers, focus on the necessary technical skills, such as experience with Jira Software, workflow customization, and integration with tools like Confluence or Bitbucket. Mention softer skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork, as they are essential for collaboration across cross-functional teams, including working closely with a project manager.
How does a Jira developer improve project management?
A Jira developer configures workflows that align with your team’s processes, automating repetitive tasks, and integrating Jira with other business systems. This often involves backend development for smoother data flow and communication between Jira and other platforms. These improvements result in better task tracking, clearer visibility across teams, and quicker identification of bottlenecks, which leads to more efficient operations.
What’s the difference between a junior and senior Jira developer?
Junior Jira developers typically have 1-3 years of experience, with a strong understanding of basic knowledge like project setup and issue tracking. An experienced Jira developer usually has 5+ years of experience and specializes in advanced functions such as complex workflows, automation, and integrations. They are often responsible for leading optimization efforts and mentoring junior team members.
How does hiring a Jira developer improve collaboration across teams?
When you hire a Jira developer, they can create custom dashboards, automate task assignments, and integrate Jira with tools like Confluence or Bitbucket. This Jira service desk integration improves communication between teams, enabling smoother collaboration. Teams stay better aligned on project goals and deadlines, driving more successful outcomes across your organization.
How do Jira developers contribute to long-term scalability?
Jira developers play a critical role in ensuring your project management system can scale with your business as it grows. By optimizing workflows, automating routine tasks, and integrating with other key tools, a Jira developer helps future-proof your processes. This allows your team to handle larger projects, multiple teams, and increased complexity without sacrificing efficiency or visibility.
What are the benefits of hiring a freelance Jira developer versus a dedicated team?
Freelance Jira developers offer flexibility and can be a good fit for short-term projects or specialized tasks. Another option is staff augmentation, where you can expand your team with skilled Jira developers on-demand, providing scalability without the commitment of a permanent hire. This approach combines flexibility that freelance Jira developers would offer, plus the benefits of a full-time team.
How does BairesDev assess a Jira developer’s skills?
Out of over 2.2 million applications annually, less than 1% pass our rigorous vetting process to find the best Jira developers. We use in-depth technical evaluations specific to Jira projects alongside assessments of problem-solving skills, communication, and English proficiency. This guarantees we connect our clients with highly skilled Jira developers.
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