Your Guide to Hiring Developers and Software Engineers in Guadalajara

If you plan to hire developers in Guadalajara, Mexico, you’re not alone. The city has gained prominence in recent years as the tech scene has moved south out of the United States and into Mexico. 

Here's an overview of what you need to know when hiring a tech team in Guadalajara, located in the state of Jalisco and often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Mexico”.

How many developers are there in Guadalajara?

Guadalajara is widely recognized as one of Mexico’s most important technology hubs, with a significant share of the country’s IT industry concentrated in the region. The metro area supports tens of thousands of tech and software-related jobs across local companies and global technology organizations with operations in Jalisco. 

Plus, Jalisco also has an extremely young population, with an average resident age of 25 or younger. Digital natives form a big percentage of Guadalajara's population, which helps cultivate a competitive developer landscape.

What do developers in Guadalajara do?

Software developers in Guadalajara, Mexico, perform various tasks and play a crucial role in the local tech industry.

1. Software Development: Software developers in Guadalajara primarily focus on designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications. They work with programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, JavaScript, and others based on project requirements.

2. Web Development: Web development is a prominent area of expertise for software developers. They build web-based applications, websites, and APIs using technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and popular frameworks such as React, Angular, or Laravel.

3. Mobile App Development: Mobile app and social media development is another key domain where software developers in Guadalajara excel. They create native or cross-platform mobile applications for iOS and Android using languages like Swift, Kotlin, Java, or frameworks like React Native or Flutter.

4. Database Design and Management: Software developers handle database-related tasks, including designing and implementing database structures, writing SQL queries, optimizing the quality of database performance, and ensuring data integrity and security.

5. Collaborative Development: Software developers in Guadalajara often work in teams, collaborating with other developers, designers, project managers, and stakeholders. They participate in code reviews, share knowledge, and contribute to the overall development process.

6. Continuous Learning and Professional Development: Keeping up with technological advancements and industry trends is crucial across all industries for software developers. They engage in continuous learning, explore new frameworks and tools, attend conferences, participate in workshops, and contribute to open-source projects.

7. Agile Methodologies: Agile development methodologies like Scrum or Kanban are widely used by software developers in Guadalajara. They participate in agile processes, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, to ensure timely delivery and effective collaboration.

Startup scene in Guadalajara

In the 1960s, companies like Kodak, Motorola, and HP opened manufacturing operations in Guadalajara, paving the way for the tech revolution in the city. 

Like Mexico City and the rest of Latin America, the startup scene in Guadalajara has expanded in part due to the country’s easily accessible time zones in relation to the rest of North America and Europe. This focus on tech has continued to grow, and now the city continuously welcomes innovation and creation.

Right now, there are huge companies in Guadalajara that house operations for their clients, including: 

• IBM

• HP 

• Amazon

• Dell 

• Oracle

• HCL

• Flextronics

• Toshiba

• Microsoft

• Google

• Apple

• Facebook

• Netflix

• LinkedIn

Industry Diversity

Guadalajara's tech sector isn’t limited to a specific industry. It spans various sectors and services, including software development, hardware manufacturing, semiconductors, telecommunications, social media, aerospace, automotive, and electronics. This diversity contributes to the overall strength and resilience of the tech scene.

International Presence

Guadalajara has attracted attention from international tech companies and multinational businesses. Several global technology giants have established operations or research and development centers in the city, further boosting the tech ecosystem and creating job opportunities.

Why businesses hire developers in Guadalajara

The tech scene in Guadalajara is vibrant, dynamic, and rapidly expanding. It offers a favorable environment for startups, a diverse range of industries, access to talent, and a supportive free ecosystem that encourages innovation and collaboration.

Many employers find that recruiting and hiring developers and engineers, as well as creating a tech hub in Guadalajara, opens the door to opportunities throughout the rest of the Latin American marketplace. 

Government Support

The local and federal government in Mexico have recognized the importance of the tech sector and implemented initiatives and policies to foster its growth. These include tax incentives, grants, funding programs, and support for entrepreneurship and innovation. The cost of hiring employees in Guadalajara is significantly lower than in the U.S. due to these incentives and policies. 

Talent Pool

The city boasts a talented pool of tech professionals, including software developers, engineers, data scientists, and designers. Guadalajara is home to several prestigious universities and technical institutes that produce a steady stream of skilled graduates in fields like computer science, engineering, and technology-related disciplines.

Collaboration and Networking

Guadalajara fosters a collaborative environment, with many organizations, institutions, and events focused on bringing the tech community together. There are coworking spaces, tech meetups, hackathons, conferences, and other networking opportunities where professionals can share knowledge, learn from each other, and establish valuable connections.

Tech Parks and Clusters

The city has dedicated tech parks and clusters, such as the Jalisco Technology Park (Parque Tecnológico de Jalisco) and the Guadalajara Technology Park (Parque Tecnológico de Guadalajara). These areas provide infrastructure, resources, and support for tech companies, startups, and research and development activities.

Types of developers and tech professionals working in Guadalajara

As a leading hub in Latin America and North America for developers and engineers, there’s a wide range of tech professionals working in Guadalajara, including:

• Software engineers

• UX/UI designers

• Project managers

• Graphic designer 

• Data analysis

• Developers 

• Cloud engineers

How to recruit developers in Guadalajara

If you're looking to hire developers and software engineers in Guadalajara, Mexico, there are several approaches you can take.

Here are some suggestions to help you find and attract talented professionals:

1. Online job portals: Utilize popular job portals and websites specific to the Mexican market, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and OCC Mundial. These platforms allow you to post job listings and reach a wide range of candidates actively looking for opportunities.

2. University and college partnerships: Collaborate with universities and colleges in Guadalajara that have strong computer science or software engineering programs. Establish relationships with career centers, participate in job fairs, or offer internships to identify and recruit top graduates.

3. Professional networks: Leverage your professional network, both online and offline, to spread the word about your hiring needs. Reach out to colleagues, friends, and industry connections who may know qualified individuals or can refer you to suitable candidates.

4. Local software development: Explore partnerships with local software development companies or consulting firms. These organizations often have experienced developers and engineers who may be open to new opportunities.

5. Partner with a recruitment agency: Finally, businesses can work with a recruitment agency that specializes in tech talent to help them identify and recruit top software developers in Guadalajara. These agencies often have a deep understanding of the local talent landscape and can help employers navigate the recruitment process to find the right candidates.

Salary ranges for developers and software engineers in Guadalajara

When estimating compensation for developers in Guadalajara, it’s important to distinguish between local-market employment (in Mexican pesos, MXN) and remote or international-contract employment (possibly USD-based or adjusted to global standards). Compensation varies by seniority, role, and employer. Junior or entry-level developers will likely earn less. More senior engineers or those at high-performing companies may earn above the median. Some ranges can include:

• Junior Software Developer/Engineer: $13,000-$53,000 USD per year or around $36,000 per year as a contractor

• Intermediate Software Developer/Engineer: $13,000-$68,000 USD per year or around $45,000 per year as a contractor

• Senior Software Developer/Engineer: $21,000-$50,000 USD per year, or around $63,000 per year as a contractor

• Team Lead/Manager: $34,000- $80,000 USD per year or around $70,000 per year as a contractor

Build your global team abroad with an EOR 

If hiring full-time developers and software engineers in Guadalajara has crossed your mind, but setting up a legal entity in Mexico feels like a time-consuming hurdle, consider the advantages of teaming up with an EOR service provider like Justworks.

Businesses that work with an EOR enjoy the freedom to recruit and build their teams without the headaches of extra administrative work.

How Justworks Can Help 

Choosing the right EOR to help you expand your business internationally can be a game-changer. Justworks’ global EOR enables small businesses to hire international employees quickly, pay them in the local currency, and provide local benefits. At Justworks, our built-in compliance includes access to international consultants, hands-on support, and tax filing handled for you, so you can expand your team confidently.. 

From access to top talent pools around the world to streamlined international hiring processes, the advantages of working with an EOR (and using Justworks) are undeniable. Get started today.

FAQ

How do you employ a software engineer? 

To employ a software engineer, you’ll need to first figure out exactly what type of engineer you’re looking for.  Once you’ve found the right talent, you can either partner with an EOR like Justworks to bring them on or set up an entity in the country where you want to hire. After hiring, you’ll need to make sure that you craft a benefit and compensation package that matches that person’s skills and experience. 

Which countries have the highest demand for software developers?

Some of the top countries for software developers are: the United States, Mexico, Canada, India, and Germany.