Toptal is a marketplace for top remote Ruby developers, engineers, programmers, coders, architects, and consultants. Top companies and startups can hire Toptal dedicated (full-time), hourly, or part-time Ruby freelancers for their mission-critical software projects.
Clemens has been working as a full-stack web developer for over a decade and a half. He's passionate about designing and building high-quality products. What he loves most about freelancing is the opportunity to encounter various types of projects, people, and cultures. Working this way, he constantly gains experience and knowledge for his next projects.
Duarte is a senior developer with over ten years experience building web applications, using rails and react. He has managed engineering teams, but still loves to code. Whether building product from scratch or integrating an existing team, he will be productive from Day One.
Bruno is a full-stack developer with a background in engineering and a massive passion for the product side. Working in startup environments, he’s amassed extensive experience wearing many hats and successfully carrying out nearly every role. What Bruno is currently up to is mentoring the Ruby track on the site Exercism.io. Some words that come to mind when describing Bruno are assertive, relentless, and optimistic.
United KingdomToptal Member Since October 24, 2019
Fayaz is a DevOps engineer and architect with experience in designing end-to-end solutions. He has extensive cloud and infrastructure expertise with multiple AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud certifications. He specializes in monitoring tools (ELK, Zabbix, and Prometheus) and automation with Python, Ansible, Terraform, and Docker. Fayaz has implemented Jenkins CI/CD pipelines to build, test, and deploy large apps, including microservices, with zero downtime.
Ciprian enjoys coding a lot and he collected substantial experience in different domains. He thinks the more programming languages you know, the better programmer you are. His specialties are security and highly-concurrent backend systems but he also likes doing front end, DevOps, and automated tests. Ciprian enjoys taking his responsibilities seriously so that every task is completed in the best way possible
Rodrigo is an active software developer who's spent the past several years mainly building complex web apps. He’s an all-around developer who’s used front-end, back-end, and infrastructure technologies while working with teams of all sizes. Along with being passionate about coding and solving problems and strongly committed to communication and organization, Rodrigo values product quality, transparency, Agile development, and client satisfaction.
Arnaud has a proven track record of managing engineering teams and building scalable web applications in fast-paced environments. His experience ranges from building high-end web performance analytics platforms to being the head of engineering of a successful online marketplace. Arnaud recently led a project to design and build a payments and taxes platform handling millions in transactions and supporting multiple PSPs for one of the largest global micro-mobility operators.
Piotr is an experienced full-stack software engineer and IT consultant, who understands client perspectives, and turns ideas into high-quality products. He has expertise in both enterprise and startup environments. Having worked for corporations, banks, and software houses, Piotr has developed products used worldwide and helped startups and internal corporate systems using a variety of tech stacks.
Daniel is an engineer experienced in the development of large-scale web products. He is a test-driven development advocate and lover of reliable, highly-scalable, and performant software solutions. As a person and developer, Daniel is self-motivated, eager to learn, and happy to collaborate and provide solutions.
João is a full-stack developer focused on Ruby on Rails who delves into the front end and infrastructure. He started his career mainly working in startup environments until 2017 when he joined Xing, Germany's most active professional network platform. He has been working as a remote contractor since 2020. João strives for long-term maintainability through code quality and a proper delivery process where testing, code reviews, and commit history are prioritized.
Paul is a well-rounded full-stack developer with 10+ years of experience and is passionate about developing quality software. He focuses on building products, and his diverse skill set allows him to tackle any challenge while keeping up with the latest technologies. He thrives working on disruptive ideas and can wear multiple hats to push the team and product forward.
Ruby developers are proficient in creating reliable, scalable, and high-performance applications, especially in the realm of web development and automation. This guide presents interview questions and answers, along with best practices, to assist you in identifying the most suitable candidates.
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Testimonials
Tripcents wouldn't exist without Toptal. Toptal Projects enabled us to rapidly develop our foundation with a product manager, lead developer, and senior designer. In just over 60 days we went from concept to Alpha. The speed, knowledge, expertise, and flexibility is second to none. The Toptal team were as part of tripcents as any in-house team member of tripcents. They contributed and took ownership of the development just like everyone else. We will continue to use Toptal. As a startup, they are our secret weapon.
Brantley Pace
CEO & Co-Founder
I am more than pleased with our experience with Toptal. The professional I got to work with was on the phone with me within a couple of hours. I knew after discussing my project with him that he was the candidate I wanted. I hired him immediately and he wasted no time in getting to my project, even going the extra mile by adding some great design elements that enhanced our overall look.
Paul Fenley
Director
The developers I was paired with were incredible -- smart, driven, and responsive. It used to be hard to find quality engineers and consultants. Now it isn't.
Ryan Rockefeller
CEO
Toptal understood our project needs immediately. We were matched with an exceptional freelancer from Argentina who, from Day 1, immersed himself in our industry, blended seamlessly with our team, understood our vision, and produced top-notch results. Toptal makes connecting with superior developers and programmers very easy.
Jason Kulik
Co-Founder
As a small company with limited resources we can't afford to make expensive mistakes. Toptal provided us with an experienced programmer who was able to hit the ground running and begin contributing immediately. It has been a great experience and one we'd repeat again in a heartbeat.
Stuart Pocknee
Principal
How to Hire Ruby Developers Through Toptal
1
Talk to One of Our Industry Experts
A Toptal director of engineering will work with you to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics.
2
Work With Hand-Selected Talent
Within days, we'll introduce you to the right Ruby developer for your project. Average time to match is under 24 hours.
3
The Right Fit, Guaranteed
Work with your new Ruby developer for a trial period (pay only if satisfied), ensuring they're the right fit before starting the engagement.
Find Experts With Related Skills
Access a vast pool of skilled developers in our talent network and hire the top 3% within just 48 hours.
Hiring a Ruby developer involves costs that differ based on variables such as skill level, geographic area, and project complexity. Glassdoor reports that, on average, a junior Ruby expert may earn around $92,000 per year, while mid-level developers might range from $76,000 to $128,000, and senior developers are most likely to command salaries from $95,000 to $169,000 or more as of August 14, 2023. Cumulative expenses may include recruitment fees, onboarding and training costs, and additional benefits. It is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the hiring process and the developer’s skills to ensure that the investment in hiring a Ruby developer aligns with the project’s budget and requirements while also ensuring, to the degree possible, that they will deliver the desired results.
How do you hire a Ruby developer?
Define the project requirements. Compiling a clear view of the project’s objectives, needs, and current skills gap will help determine what kind of Ruby developer is most suitable. Define the specific frameworks, like Ruby on Rails or Sinatra, and the technological background of the future hire. Is it a project that requires full-stack development experience? Will a junior Ruby developer be adequate for the scope?
Create a job description. Emphasize required skills, associated frameworks, and best-to-have experience, like proficiency in databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL.
Conduct interviews. Use a combination of Ruby-centric technical questions, problem-solving exercises related to common Ruby programming scenarios, and behavioral questions to gauge the candidates’ expertise and suitability for the team.
Evaluate candidates. Consider the candidate’s proficiency in Ruby, experience with similar projects, understanding of Ruby’s associated frameworks, and how well they fit into your organizational culture.
How high is the demand for Ruby developers?
Ruby remains in high demand due to its versatility and the popularity of the Ruby on Rails framework for web application development. Although other languages have gained prominence recently, Ruby’s elegance, readability, and developer-friendly features continue to attract businesses and developers alike. Ruby is often the language of choice for startups and companies seeking rapid development and deployment. Its extensive ecosystem, supportive community, and continued improvements ensure that Ruby maintains a strong presence in the software development landscape.
How quickly can you hire with Toptal?
Typically, you can hire a Ruby programmer with Toptal in about 48 hours. Our talent matchers are experts in the same fields they’re matching in—they’re not recruiters or HR reps. They’ll work with you to understand your goals, technical needs, and team dynamics, and match you with ideal candidates from our vetted global talent network.
Once you select your Ruby expert, you’ll have a no-risk trial period to ensure they’re the perfect fit. Our matching process has a 98% trial-to-hire rate, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the best fit every time.
Why is Ruby one of the main programming languages in the world? What are the benefits of using it?
Ruby is an interpreted, multiparadigm programming language. It has automatic memory management, it is simple to use, and it is a powerful tool used to write servers, test prototypes, and perform routine programming assignments. Ruby is a highly scalable, fully integrated object-oriented language.
One of Ruby’s key strengths lies in its elegant syntax, which is designed to be easy to read and write. This intuitive design enhances productivity and often results in cleaner, maintainable code.
For projects where productivity and time to market matter, Ruby is among the preferred languages because of its outstanding selection of frameworks, tools, and libraries at the users’ disposal.
Gustavo is a startup founder and Ruby expert with more than 17 years of experience building and scaling Ruby and Ruby on Rails apps. He recently spearheaded several Ruby-related projects for Gartner Digital Markets.
Demand for Ruby Developers Is Driven by Versatility and Ease of Use
In today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape, finding the right talent to drive your projects is more critical than ever. Hiring a skilled Ruby developer, in particular, can be challenging, given the high demand for this versatile and powerful programming language. Ruby places fourth among the highest paying technologies for programming, scripting, and markup languages, according to Stack Overflow’s 2023 Developer Survey. Furthermore, as of January 2023, it’s positioned as the ninth most popular language in the influential RedMonk Programming Language Rankings, a status conferred based on its prominence in GitHub and Stack Overflow projects. Renowned companies such as Airbnb, Shopify, Square, Coinbase, and EY continue to leverage Ruby in their technological infrastructures, underscoring its significance in the contemporary software development landscape.
Identifying the perfect candidate for a Ruby programmer role requires the consideration of factors such as technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and cultural fit. This guide offers a comprehensive roadmap to help navigate this process, covering the steps of defining project requirements, crafting a detailed job description, searching for candidates, and assessing their technical and soft skills.
By following the strategies outlined in this guide, recruiters can be well equipped to find the right Ruby expert who will meet the project’s requirements and contribute significantly to the team’s success.
What attributes distinguish quality Ruby Developers from others?
Hiring a Ruby developer can significantly impact a project’s success, as they will play a crucial role in building, maintaining, and enhancing your applications. A quality Ruby developer will contribute to creating scalable, efficient, and secure solutions tailored to your business requirements. They will also be able to effectively collaborate with other team members and stakeholders, ensuring smooth communication and timely delivery of your project. Understanding the Ruby developer skills that set apart a top-notch Ruby coder from the rest is essential. Here are some of the most critical factors you should consider:
Strong Ruby foundation – Having a solid Ruby base requires a deep understanding of Ruby’s syntactic sugars—language-specific syntax that makes the code easier to read or express—which enables developers to create elegant and maintainable code. Additionally, proficiency in metaprogramming—the process of writing code that writes or manipulates other code—is vital. Through metaprogramming, Ruby engineers can dynamically define methods and craft flexible, reusable code. These skills, along with a firm grasp of Ruby’s object-oriented principles, error handling, and standard library, as well as a familiarity with its testing tools (like RSpec and Minitest), constitute a solid foundation in Ruby.
Convention over configuration (CoC) – CoC is a design philosophy that can significantly enhance a developer’s productivity and the code’s consistency. By following established conventions, developers can reduce the number of decisions and configurations needed for their tasks, thereby speeding up the development process without losing flexibility.
RESTful API design – REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style used to design networked applications. It uses a stateless, client-server protocol to access and use data. Familiarity with designing RESTful APIs is crucial for a Ruby developer because they’re a standard method of structuring web services and enable different software systems to communicate with each other effectively.
JSON serialization for API building – API construction is a critical skill for Ruby developers, and JSON serialization is one of its key components. JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a lightweight data-interchange format that’s easy for humans to read and write, and for machines to parse and generate. JSON serialization is the process of translating data structures or object state into JSON format. A skilled Ruby developer should understand how to effectively use libraries such as ActiveModel::Serializers to create efficient, well-structured JSON APIs. They should also have a solid understanding of API versioning, API documentation, and error handling within APIs, all contributing to a robust, maintainable API architecture.
Proficiency in Ruby frameworks – Ruby developers should be familiar with the most popular Ruby frameworks, each serving different project needs. Ruby on Rails is ideal for comprehensive applications due to its robust features and Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture. Sinatra offers simplicity for smaller projects or microservices with its lightweight, flexible design. Hanami provides a modern, full-stack option centered on minimalism and speed, while Roda, another lightweight library, excels as a routing tree web toolkit, perfect for building fast, maintainable web applications. Understanding when to use these frameworks is a testament to a Ruby developer’s proficiency and versatility.
Knowledge of front-end technologies – Hiring a Ruby programmer with experience in front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be an advantage for several projects because they can work across the entire stack, making the development process more efficient. A developer who can handle both front- and back-end tasks can build a functional prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) much more quickly, which is essential for small teams or startups.
Problem-solving and continuous learning – Good Ruby programmers need to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and a passion for continuous learning because they are often called upon to devise solutions to complex technical issues during the software development process. These can range from debugging code, optimizing performance, and integrating systems to architecting efficient solutions for intricate business problems.
Collaborative mindset and cultural fit – Ruby software development is often a team effort involving other programmers, designers, and project managers, which is why effective communication and collaboration skills are pivotal for maintaining alignment with any project’s objective. A programmer who aligns with your organization’s outlook and approach will integrate effortlessly into your team and foster a constructive and positive work atmosphere.
How can you identify the ideal type of Ruby Developer for you?
Now that you understand how to identify a proficient Ruby developer, it’s important to be familiar with Ruby’s versatility. It powers an array of projects, from web applications to data analysis, prototyping, API design, and microservices development. Therefore, pinpointing your precise business needs is crucial to finding the ideal Ruby developer to fulfill them.
Define your problem statement
Understanding the project requirements informs the necessary skills and expertise required in a Ruby developer, effectively defines the scope of the project, and facilitates accurate budgeting. Whether it’s a clear timeline for deliverables or cost considerations, defining the needs upfront ensures hiring the most suitable developer and sets a clear direction for the project.
When defining the problem statement—a concise, straightforward description of the problem you want to solve by hiring a Ruby expert—consider the specific challenges you aim to overcome and the business cases you wish to improve. Determine whether you need a long- or short-term collaboration and if you have a clear set of requirements or will need assistance with the entire process. Identify the stakeholders, such as departments that need Ruby expertise and individuals involved in the development or enhancement of Ruby-powered processes.
One of the most important elements of this step is defining which framework is best suited for the project. Frameworks such as Ruby on Rails, Sinatra, Hanami, and Roda each have their own strengths and best-use scenarios. For example, Rails applications are an excellent choice for complex, database-driven web projects, while Sinatra may be a better fit for simpler, lightweight applications. Different frameworks can either speed up or slow down development, depending on their features and the complexity of your project.
Determine the required experience level
After establishing the needs and scope of the project, it’s crucial to evaluate whether a junior, mid-level, or senior Ruby developer is better to suit your requirements. The classification of Ruby developers can be based on several factors, such as their skill level, areas of expertise, and their role in a team:
Junior Ruby developer – Typically has less than two years of experience and is still building expertise in Ruby and related technologies. They often require supervision and guidance from more experienced team members. Junior developers are well suited for smaller projects or tasks that don’t demand extensive technical knowledge.
Mid-level Ruby developer – Generally has between two to five years of experience and a broader skillset, including familiarity with multiple frameworks, tools, and best practices. They can work independently and solve moderately complex problems. Mid-level developers are ideal for tasks that need a balance between expertise and budget-friendliness.
Senior Ruby developer – Has more than five years of experience, in-depth knowledge of Ruby, and expertise in various technologies and domains. They can tackle complex challenges, lead projects, and mentor junior developers. Highly skilled developers are ideal for large-scale, mission-critical projects that demand top-tier expertise.
Prioritize skills by business case
Depending on the project’s nature and objectives, certain skills may be more relevant. For example:
Web application development – Look for developers with experience in Ruby on Rails or Sinatra, as well as proficiency in front-end languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
API development and integration – Seek developers familiar with building and integrating APIs using Ruby, REST, and JSON. Knowledge of popular API integration tools and libraries is also crucial.
Microservices architecture – Look for developers with experience in designing and implementing microservices architecture using Ruby and related tools and frameworks when building modular, scalable applications.
Database design and optimization – Identify developers with expertise in database management systems such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQLite, as well as experience in database design, querying, and optimization.
Performance optimization and scaling – Seek developers with a proven track record in optimizing Ruby applications and experience with caching, load balancing, and other performance-enhancing techniques for projects focused on high performance and scalability.
Security and compliance – Look for developers with experience in securing Ruby applications, implementing encryption, and ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA if your project deals with sensitive data or must adhere to specific compliance standards.
DevOps and continuous integration – Consider developers with experience in DevOps practices, containerization (e.g., Docker), and continuous integration tools (e.g., Jenkins or Travis CI) for projects requiring seamless deployment and integration.
How to Write a Ruby Developer Job Description for Your Project
When writing a job description for a Ruby developer, clearly outline the project’s goals, required technical skills (e.g., Ruby on Rails, Sinatra, API development), and desired experience level (junior, mid-level, or senior). Also, specify essential soft skills like communication and problem-solving abilities. Highlight any unique expectations, such as remote work or knowledge of specific domains. Potential job openings for Ruby experts include positions like Ruby on Rails developer, Full-stack Ruby developer, Ruby Web Application developer, Ruby API developer, or Ruby DevOps engineer.
What are the most important Ruby Developer interview questions?
Interviewing Ruby developers requires a mix of behavioral and technical questions to assess the candidates’ expertise and suitability for your project. Consider these questions for a technical interview with a prospective hire, as well as the following:
How do classes and modules differ? What are their similarities?
Classes can instantiate objects and have inheritance capabilities; modules cannot. Modules serve as namespaces and can be mixed into classes through mixins. Both classes and modules can define methods, constants, and variables.
How does Ruby look up a method to invoke?
Ruby looks up methods through its inheritance hierarchy, starting with the class of the object, then proceeding to its ancestors (superclasses and included modules). Ruby invokes the method_missing method when the method isn’t found.
Does Ruby support multiple inheritance? Is it needed?
Ruby doesn’t support multiple inheritance, but it doesn’t need it, thanks to mixins. Developers can include modules into classes using mixins, allowing them to share methods across different classes without multiple inheritance.
Describe the distinction between throw/catch and raise/rescue in Ruby.
Throw and catch are used for control flow, allowing developers to break out of nested loops or method calls. In contrast, raise and rescue are used for exception handling. In case of an error, a developer can raise an exception and then rescue it to handle the error gracefully.
Is there any difference between the Boolean &&/|| operators and the textual equivalents and/or?
Yes, there’s a difference in precedence. The && and || operators have higher precedence than their written counterparts and/or. This difference can affect the evaluation order of expressions.
What’s the difference between public, protected, and private visibility in Ruby?
Public methods can be accessed from anywhere. Protected methods are reachable by instances of the same class or its subclasses. Private methods can only be accessed within the class in which they are defined. They can’t be directly called using an instance of the class.
List at least three separate Ruby implementations. Talk about the differences between them.
Three implementations of Ruby include MRI (Matz’s Ruby Interpreter), JRuby, and Rubinius. MRI is the original and most widely used implementation, written in C. JRuby is a Java-based implementation that allows integration with Java libraries and improved performance on the Java virtual machine. Rubinius is an alternative Ruby implementation focused on concurrency, using LLVM for just-in-time compilation.
Why do companies hire Ruby Developers?
Companies hire Ruby experts to leverage the power of this versatile and popular programming language, primarily for web application development, scripting, automation, data processing, and building APIs. The Ruby on Rails framework has further cemented Ruby’s position as a go-to choice for rapid and efficient web development. Hiring skilled Ruby developers can significantly impact a project’s success, providing scalable, efficient, and secure solutions tailored to a company’s needs.
To find the right Ruby developer, it is essential to assess the project’s requirements, objectives, and any existing skills gaps within the team. This will help determine the specific technical skills, experience level, and domain expertise required. Companies must differentiate between junior, mid-level, and senior developers to make informed hiring decisions, considering factors such as project complexity, budget constraints, team composition, and long-term goals.
When hiring Ruby programmers, companies should look for strong technical expertise in Ruby and its frameworks, proficiency in other programming languages and technologies, problem-solving abilities, good communication skills, adaptability, and keen attention to detail. Identifying the right developer involves evaluating their skills based on the project’s nature and objectives, such as web application development, API development and integration, database design and optimization, performance optimization, security and compliance, and DevOps.
Effective interviewing is crucial in the hiring process, and companies should ask a mix of technical and behavioral questions to assess the candidate’s expertise and suitability for the project. By focusing on these key aspects, companies can successfully hire top-notch Ruby developers who will not only excel in their technical roles, but also contribute significantly to the overall success of the team and project, ultimately helping the business thrive and stay ahead in the competitive technology landscape.
The technical content presented in this article was reviewed by Sergey Moiseev.
