Are you wondering how to hire a Kotlin developer for your project?
Choosing the right Kotlin development partner can make or break your app — yet many companies underestimate how tricky this decision really is.
It’s not just about finding someone who knows Kotlin. It’s about finding a developer or partner who can actually deliver a stable, scalable app, fit into your team, and move your project forward without hidden risks or costs.
Based on our experience, there are a few challenges and concerns that usually come up along the way:
- Choosing the right working model — full-time hire, dedicated developer, or outsourcing — and making sure it fits your goals and budget.
- Figuring out the right experience level for your Android app development project — so you don’t overpay for a simple app or risk quality by hiring someone too junior.
- Assessing real skills — going beyond buzzwords to find developers who can build production-ready apps.
- Ensuring a good cultural and communication fit, especially when working remotely.
- Keeping the budget under control without sacrificing quality.
These are the kinds of issues that make hiring a Kotlin developer more complicated than it might seem at first glance.
Regularly ranked among the top custom software development companies on Clutch, our team at Volpis has spent years providing Kotlin development services to businesses across diverse industries. In this article, we want to walk you through the exact steps when hiring a Kotlin developer for your app development project.
How to hire a Kotlin developer for your mobile app development project: step-by-step process
Having a clear, step-by-step process is critical — not just to find a good developer, but to set your Android development project up for success.
Step 1: Define your Android app development project needs
Before you start looking for candidates, you need to be clear about what the developer will actually work on.
It doesn’t matter if you’re building a new app or improving an existing one — what matters is having a clear understanding of your upcoming work.
This will help you find the right software developer faster and avoid painful mismatches later.
Step 2: Define the scope of work for the developer
Think about what you expect the developer to work on over the next 6 to 12 months. You should define:
- Key features or modules you plan to develop (e.g., onboarding flow, BLE device integration, real-time chat, in-app payments)
- Technical improvements that may be needed (e.g., migrating to Jetpack Compose, improving app performance, stabilizing background services)
- Non-trivial technical challenges (e.g., custom algorithms, working with external devices, advanced offline functionality)
Even if you don’t have a fully detailed specification, preparing a basic prioritized backlog or a rough roadmap is enough to guide the hiring process.
Tip from experience: The earlier you identify special technical needs (like BLE integration or complex data synchronization), the easier it will be to find a professional Android developer with the right expertise.
Step 3: Clarify technical expectations (without creating hidden risks)
Depending on your current setup, the right approach will differ:
- If you already have a technical team: Let your technical leads define the specific skills and experience needed for the new Kotlin developer. They know your architecture, coding standards, and can easily specify what’s required.
- If you don’t have a technical team yet: Be very careful. Hiring your first developer without strong technical leadership can lead to critical mistakes — from weak app architecture to security vulnerabilities. In this case, the safest path is to work with an experienced development company that can deliver the MVP properly or hire a proven Senior Kotlin developer who has full-cycle experience (from app setup to Play Store release).
Tip from experience: Early technical mistakes often cost 3–5 times more to fix later than doing things right from the start.
Step 4: Choose the right Kotlin app development technical expertise & experience level
Once you have a clear idea of what the developer will be working on, the next big question is what level of mobile app development experience is actually required to do the job well?
This is one of the most important decisions in the hiring process — and one that often causes the most confusion.
Let’s take a look at the strengths each experience level brings and what to watch out for:
| Experience level | Best for | Risks |
| Junior Developer (0–2 years) | Simple tasks, small features, working under close supervision | May struggle with problem-solving, unfamiliar with production-level architecture |
| Middle Developer (2–4 years) | Independent feature development, moderate app complexity | May need technical guidance and Kotlin code reviews to ensure quality |
| Senior Developer (5+ years) | Complex apps, app architecture, integrations, mentoring others | Higher cost, but brings long-term value and stability |
Here are a few tips based on our experience that can help you make a smarter, more flexible decision and find right Kotlin developer for your project:
- You don’t always have to hire just one developer — combining a Senior developer (for architecture and guidance) with a Middle or Junior developer (for execution) can often give you the best balance of quality and cost.
- In many cases, Senior Kotlin developers aren’t needed full-time; involving them part-time for architecture design, technical supervision, and code reviews can keep your Android app development project costs efficient while maintaining quality.
Step 5: Decide on the right hiring model
After you define your project needs, the next step is deciding how you want to organize the work.
In this guide, we focus on serious product development process setups — dedicated developers, dedicated Android app development teams, or full outsourcing — not freelancers. If you’re planning to build a real product, choosing the right model early will save you time, budget, and energy.
When you need to hire Kotlin developers, here are your main options:
| Hiring model | Description |
| 1. Full outsourcing | Full outsourcing of your mobile app development project means the vendor takes full responsibility for the project: development, QA, project management, and delivery. This model works best when you have a clear scope — you know exactly what needs to be built, and you don’t expect major changes along the way. It’s a great option for building MVPs or launching standalone apps where predictable delivery and minimal management are important. |
| 2. Dedicated team | A dedicated team includes all the roles you need to build Android apps & support your products: Kotlin developers, designers, QA engineers, backend or web developers, sometimes even BAs or PMs. This setup works well when your scope is still evolving, or when you’re building a product long-term and want to stay flexible. With a dedicated team, you can adapt priorities, refine ideas, and scale the product with full control and transparency. Learn more about how we build cross-functional product teams here. |
| 3. Dedicated Kotlin developers | If you already have a product team in place — and just need to strengthen it — you can hire dedicated Kotlin developers who integrate into your existing workflows but are officially employed by a partner like Volpis. This model helps you scale your team quickly without dealing with hiring, onboarding, HR, or legal formalities. |
Further reading: If you’re still deciding between in-house hiring, dedicated developers, or full outsourcing, check out our detailed article: Hiring Kotlin Developers: Comparing In-house, Dedicated, and Outsourcing Models
Step 6: Understand pricing and plan your budget
Once you know your mobile app development project’s needs and the right collaboration model, it’s important to build a realistic understanding of costs.
Rates for Kotlin developers can vary significantly based on location, experience level, and the type of collaboration you choose. It’s important to look at all three together, not just at the hourly rate.
In general, here’s what you can expect for Kotlin developer rates:
| Region | Junior | Middle | Senior |
| United States | $50–70/hour | $70–100/hour | $100–140+/hour |
| Western Europe | $40–60/hour | $60–80/hour | $80–110/hour |
| Eastern Europe | $25 – 30/hour | $30-40/hour | $40–50/hour |
| India | $15–25/hour | $25–40/hour | $40–60/hour |
This information is based on 2024 data from trusted platforms, development companies, and real project offers we’ve seen.
Location affects pricing, but when you need to find quality Kotlin development candidates it’s not only about finding the cheapest option — but getting real value.
- Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland, Romania) often offers top Kotlin developers and a great balance of strong technical expertise when building Android mobile applications, good communication, and affordable rates.
- Western Europe and the US offer excellent Kotlin app development skills too, but at a much higher cost.
- India has lower prices for software engineering, but usually requires stronger internal management to ensure quality and good delivery standards.
Finally, don’t forget: the hourly rate of Kotlin app developers is just part of the full picture. You may also need backend developers, QA engineers, designers, and project managers depending on your setup. Make sure you budget for the full product delivery, not just Kotlin development alone.
Step 7: Create a clear and focused job description
When you hire Kotlin developers through a dedicated team or outstaffing model, a clear job description helps set the right expectations — both for the developer and for your future collaboration.
You don’t need to describe office perks or your internal culture. Outline what the developer will work on, what skills matter most, how your team is structured, and how you plan to collaborate during the development process.
So, let’s take a look at the key components of a Kotlin developer job description:
| Section | Details |
| Project overview | Explain what kind of app you are building or maintaining. Is it a brand-new product, an upgrade of an existing one, or a full rebuild? If the app already exists, mention the tech stack. |
| Required skills & experience | List required skills and experience. By this stage, you should already know what experience level you’re looking for — whether it’s a middle, senior, or a combination — based on the earlier steps we discussed. When describing Kotlin app development skills, it’s a good idea to split them into two parts: baseline skills and project-specific requirements. 1) Baseline skills (must-have for any Kotlin Android developer) No matter the project, there are core skills you should expect from any serious candidate: – Strong Kotlin and Android app development experience – Good understanding of mobile architecture patterns (MVVM, Clean Architecture) – Experience working with APIs, handling background tasks, offline data storage – Familiarity with Android Jetpack components (ViewModel, Navigation, LiveData, etc.) – Solid communication skills, especially for remote collaboration. 2) Project-specific requirements Depending on your product, you can also mention specific needs like experience with BLE, AI, Maps SDK, etc. |
| Team setup and the developer’s role | Clarify whether the developer will be working alone or collaborating with backend developers, QA engineers, designers, or product managers. Mention if they will be supervised by a tech lead or expected to work independently. If they will be mentoring someone, leading small initiatives, or helping shape technical decisions, it’s important to state that clearly. |
| Key responsibilities | Focus on the actual work the developer will be doing — for example: – Building new features – Improving performance of existing apps – Supporting releases and maintenance – Participating in code reviews and architecture discussions |
Further reading: If you want to think even deeper about what can impact your hiring success, check out our article Things to Consider Before Hiring a Kotlin Developer — it’s a useful guide that will help you avoid common mistakes at the early stages.
Important warning: be careful with first technical hires and low-quality companies
If you plan to hire remote Kotlin developers but don’t have an internal technical foundation yet, your first hire is critical. From our experience, hiring a Junior or Middle-level developer as your first technical hire is extremely risky — no matter how talented they seem individually.
The same risk applies when working with cheap offshore development companies that promise fast delivery at a low price. In many cases: A Senior Android developer is shown during the sales call, But Juniors or even Trainees actually do the work. The delivered code ends up unstable, hard to maintain, and difficult to scale. Clients lose money, time and the opportunity to enter the market quickly.
We were once brought in to rescue a project — the Holy Quran app — originally developed by a budget offshore company. The original codebase had poor architecture, hidden performance issues, and serious limitations. We ended up completely rebuilding the application from scratch. And today, the Holy Quran app has over 1 million downloads and maintains a 4.8-star rating on the Google Play Store.
Where to find Kotlin developers
Finding skilled Kotlin developers for Android apps isn’t just about posting a vacancy and hoping for the best. The right channels can make a big difference — saving you time, money, and helping you connect with better Kotlin app developers faster. When you plan to hire remote Kotlin developers, here’s where you should focus depending on your needs:
1) Local job platforms (if you want to hire Kotlin developers locally)
If your goal is to hire Kotlin app developers directly into your local office or region, traditional job platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or country-specific job boards can be useful. However, keep in mind that the hiring cycle is often longer, and competition for top Kotlin developers can be very high — especially if you’re located in a major tech hub.
Best for:
- Building a permanent in-house team
- Companies with strong HR and internal management
2) Upwork and similar freelance platforms
Freelance marketplaces like Upwork can sometimes be a quick way to find remote Kotlin developers for small tasks or short-term projects. However, there’s always a risk when working with freelance Kotlin developers — quality can vary dramatically, communication can be inconsistent, and freelancers often juggle multiple clients at the same time, which can impact reliability.
If you decide to go this route, it’s critical to choose proven vendors with strong profiles. For example, our agency Volpis on Upwork has completed over 20,000 hours and 100+ projects, maintaining a Top Rated status — something you should always look for when selecting Kotlin development partners on freelance platforms.
Best for:
- Small tasks or pilot projects
- Companies willing to spend time on screening and management
3) Find a reliable dedicated team or outsourcing partner
If you want more reliability, scalability, and quality control — you can hire dedicated Kotlin developers or find a trusted outsourcing partner. These are often the smartest choices. Look for software development companies with a proven track record of creating Android apps, verified Kotlin development reviews, and real-world Android development experience.
For example, Volpis is Top Rated on Clutch, one of the most respected B2B service review platforms, and we’ve successfully delivered over 50 mobile app projects.
When evaluating potential partners, check their app development case studies, team composition, communication style, and long-term client relationships — not just their sales pitch.
Best for:
- Companies who want flexibility without losing quality
- Fast team setup without heavy HR involvement
- Long-term partnerships and predictable delivery
How developers at Volpis use Kotlin to create custom applications with over a million downloads
The Volpis team has been leveraging the power of Kotlin to build robust applications and assist business owners in achieving unparalleled milestones. One recent example is the Holy Quran app.
The Holy Quran is a popular non-profit mobile app for Android and iOS. The app’s main objective is to provide accurate knowledge about Islam and serve as a platform for studying the Quran. A few years ago, the app needed significant updates.
Our team focused on performance optimization, UI/UX improvements, and backend maintenance.
The app has become a trusted resource for the Muslim community and those interested in Islam. Today, the app has a 4.8-star rating, over 11,000 reviews and has surpassed 1 million downloads.
Why hire Kotlin developers from Volpis?
If you’re looking for a team that understands the bigger picture behind successful product development, we are always here to answer all your questions and give honest advice. Consistently recognized as one of the top custom software development companies on Clutch and acknowledged among the top 10 Kotlin development companies in 2025 by AppDevelopmentCompanies, our team at Volpis have rich experience in Android mobile app development with Kotlin.
Read more reviews from our valuable customers on Clutch
We invite you to explore our portfolio for a detailed look at the innovative applications we have developed for our clients. Here’s why we are trusted by businesses worldwide:
- Proven Android development expertise: Deep experience building robust Android apps using Kotlin language.
- Custom-tailored teams: Ability to provide individual Kotlin developers or assemble full dedicated app development teams based on your needs.
- Top-tier quality: Strong focus on clean architecture, maintainability, and best engineering practices.
- Flexible engagement models: We support outstaffing, dedicated development teams, and full project outsourcing.
- Fast and transparent communication: Clear updates, proactive collaboration, and reliable delivery.
- Proven track record: Over 50 mobile projects delivered across industries like logistics, navigation, and healthtech.
- Recognized excellence: Top rated on Upwork and Clutch, with a proven record of client satisfaction.
- Focus on long-term partnerships: We aim to build trust and grow together with our clients, not just deliver code.
If you need to hire Kotlin app developers, you can always reach out to us via info@volpis.com with any questions or to explore how we can be part of your journey.
Hire experienced and reliable Kotlin developers today
We would be happy to answer all your questions and help make your project a total win!
FAQs
The timeline to hire Kotlin developers can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on your project scope and urgency. If you’re working with an agency with a proven track record, they can often provide experienced Android developers ready to begin immediately. Using platforms that vet quality Kotlin developers worldwide helps streamline the hiring process. Most teams follow agile methodologies, so onboarding and kickoff happen quickly. Once your Kotlin developer begins, they usually set up the project using Android Studio and initiate sprint planning. This agile start ensures you can build Android apps efficiently with a clear timeline.
Yes, an Android developer skilled in Kotlin code can refactor, modernize, or optimize your existing app. Whether you’re looking to increase performance, implement functional programming concepts, or clean up legacy code, this is a common request. The best Kotlin developers also help introduce agile development practices for smoother iterations. Many businesses choose to hire Kotlin developers specifically to improve app stability before scaling or launching on the Google Play Store. With the right expert, your app can evolve into a high quality Android app without starting from scratch. They’ll also ensure your mobile apps meet modern UI/UX standards.
Kotlin Multiplatform lets you share business logic across mobile apps, reducing development time. It’s great if you want to build Android apps and iOS apps with a single codebase while still using native Android app development tools like Android Studio. The main benefit is faster development using shared Kotlin code, which is perfect for teams practicing agile development. However, it may require quality Kotlin developers with cross-platform experience. Platform-specific UI and APIs still need separate handling, which can increase complexity. If you’re unsure, consult Kotlin developers worldwide with a proven track record in cross-platform work.
Start by working with Kotlin developers worldwide who understand agile methodologies and cloud infrastructure. Using scalable architecture and clean Kotlin code helps your app grow without performance loss. An experienced Android developer will also implement monitoring tools to track bottlenecks early. Testing across devices in Android Studio and preparing for Google Play Store demand spikes is key. Choose to hire Kotlin developers with a proven track record in scaling mobile apps effectively. This ensures your Android apps remain responsive and reliable, even with rapid user growth.
Kostya Khuta, the CEO of Volpis, is an expert in crafting custom software solutions for the Fleet Management, Logistics, and Transportation industry. With over 8 years of experience, he leads the way in delivering innovative and tailored solutions to meet industry-specific needs.
