This article outlines the responsibilities and technical requirements for a cross-platform mobile developer role using Flutter or React Native. It covers day-to-day responsibilities such as app development, collaboration with designers and backend teams, API integration, asynchronous and real-time data handling, testing, version control, and agile workflows — useful for candidates seeking new talent.
Core Responsibilities and Workflow
This section breaks down the practical day-to-day responsibilities expected from a cross-platform mobile developer.
Development and maintenance:
- Develop and maintain cross-platform mobile applications using Flutter or React Native, focusing on stable, maintainable code and consistent user experiences across platforms.
- Implement UI using Flutter widgets or React Native components while ensuring responsive design that follows Material Design and iOS HIG guidelines.
Collaboration and workflow:
- Collaborate closely with UI/UX designers and backend developers to translate designs and APIs into functional app screens and flows.
- Work within agile workflows, participate in planning, and use Git-based version control to manage code, branches, and pull requests.
- Participate in code reviews to maintain code quality, share knowledge, and enforce best practices.
Integration, data handling, and reliability:
- Integrate RESTful APIs, handle JSON parsing, and apply async/await and asynchronous programming patterns to manage network calls and background work.
- Handle real-time data requirements and ensure robust error handling, debugging, and troubleshooting for network- and UI-related issues.
- Understand basic HTTP/HTTPS concepts and API security considerations when integrating services.
Quality and performance:
- Optimize app performance and responsiveness through profiling, debugging, and targeted fixes.
- Write unit tests and use unit testing frameworks (Flutter test, Jest) to validate logic and regressions; incorporate testing into CI-friendly workflows.
- Use tools such as Postman for API testing and standard IDEs (Android Studio, VS Code, Xcode) for development and debugging.
Technical Requirements and Skills
This section details the technical proficiencies and qualifications expected from candidates.
Language and paradigms:
- Proficiency in Dart for Flutter or JavaScript/TypeScript for React Native development.
- Strong understanding of object-oriented and functional programming concepts to structure maintainable and testable code.
State management and component models:
- Experience with Flutter state management approaches such as Provider and Bloc, or React Native patterns including Redux and the Context API.
- Comfortable building complex UIs from widgets or components and managing application state predictably.
Foundational knowledge:
- Basic familiarity with data structures and algorithms to write efficient code and reason about complexity.
- Understanding of responsive design principles and platform-specific design guidelines (Material Design, iOS HIG).
Tools, testing, and build systems:
- Experience using Postman for API calls, Git for version control, and IDEs such as Android Studio, VS Code, or Xcode.
- Familiarity with unit testing frameworks like Flutter test and Jest, and build tools such as Gradle and Metro.
Qualifications and mindset:
- Pursuing or recently completed a B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science/Information Technology or related fields.
- A portfolio of mobile app projects demonstrating practical experience.
- A willingness to learn, collaborate, participate in code reviews, and work within team-based agile processes.
In summary, this role combines hands-on development with cross-functional collaboration: build and maintain Flutter or React Native apps, integrate RESTful APIs, manage asynchronous and real-time data, participate in code reviews, debug and optimize performance, and write unit tests while using Git and agile workflows. Candidates should possess the listed technical proficiencies, a relevant degree or progress toward one, a project portfolio, and a collaborative learning mindset.
