When you see an ad, “Android engineer needed,” such a position will require you to create android robots or improve the Android operational system itself. What people usually mean is a software developer who specializes in designing, building, testing, and maintaining applications for devices running the Android operating system. Android engineers are people who work on applications for smartphones, tablets, wearables, smart TVs, and other Android-powered devices.
How many operating systems are there?
It might seem that there are only iOS and Android, but they are just the most common ones. In reality, there are dozens of operating systems for various devices. When we talk about mobile devices, apart from iOS and Android, there are also some niche or legacy systems like HarmonyOS (Huawei), KaiOS, Blackberry OS, Symbian, and Windows Phone (discontinued).
Desktop and laptop operating systems are a bit more diverse. Here, you will have Windows for Microsoft, macOS for Apple, Linux for various distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Debian, and ChromeOS (Google).
When did the division between iOS and Android appear?
There was no such a division into operational systems when mobile phones just appeared. It started in 2007 with Apple introducing iOS alongside the first iPhone. With this step, they marked a major shift in mobile computing and the birth of modern smartphones. Initially, iOS dominated the market with its smooth interface and app ecosystem.
A year later, in 2008, Google launched the first Android phone (the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1). Android was designed as an open-source alternative to iOS, allowing manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and HTC to adopt it.
By 2010, iOS and Android became the dominant mobile operating systems, leaving older platforms like Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry OS in decline. Today, they collectively account for over 99% of the global mobile OS market.
What’s the difference between iOS, Android, and web software developers?
The primary difference between iOS, Android, and web software developers lies in the platforms they work on, the tools they use, and the skills required for their specializations. Here’s a quick recap:
| Aspect | iOS Developer | Android Developer | Web Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Apple devices | Android devices | Web browsers |
| Programming | Swift, Objective-C | Swift, Objective-C | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc |
| Development tool | Xcode | Android Studio | VS Code, WebStorm, etc. |
| App delivery | Apple App Store | Google Play Store | URLs via web hosting |
| Device range | Limited (Apple only) | Diverse Android devices | Any device with a browser |
| Performance focus | High optimization | Flexibility and scalability | Cross-platform usability |
Android engineer’s key responsibilities
In a few words, an Android engineer develops software that would run smoothly on an Android operational system. Here’s a broader explanation of their day-to-day activities:
- App development. Write code to develop Android apps, typically with Kotlin or Java, and frameworks provided by the Android SDK.
- UI/UX Implementation. Design user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces that comply with Android’s Material Design guidelines.
- Performance optimization. Ensure apps run smoothly while effectively using resources and loading on various devices.
- Testing. Conduct debugging and testing to identify and fix bugs or compatibility issues.
- Integration. Connect apps to back-end services, APIs, databases, and third-party libraries.
- Version compatibility. Ensure applications function correctly across different versions of Android and on a wide range of devices with different screen sizes and hardware capabilities.
- Maintenance. Update apps to support new OS versions, add features, and address user feedback or security concerns.
Skills required from an Android engineer
- Proficiency in Kotlin or Java.
- Familiarity with Android Studio (the official IDE) and tools like Gradle.
- Knowledge of Android SDK and Jetpack libraries (e.g., LiveData, Room, Navigation).
- Understanding of design patterns like MVP, MVVM, or Clean Architecture.
- Experience with testing tools (e.g., Espresso, JUnit).
- Ability to use version control systems like Git.
- Awareness of publishing and managing apps on the Google Play Store.
Average annual salaries of Android engineers
As always, the salaries of tech talent can differ drastically and depend on many factors. The key factors are the level of proficiency of an engineer (years of experience, background, skills) and their location.
These are some of the average annual salaries of Android engineers as of December 2024 based on open data and job placement platforms.
- United States: $144,000
- Canada: $80,000
- United Kingdom: $67,000
- Germany: $74,000
- France: $58,000
- Sweden: $87,220
- India: $44,137
- Ukraine: $37,600
The difference between a salary in the USA and, say, Ukraine is drastic – in Ukraine, the salary of an Android engineer is almost four times lower, which doesn’t affect the quality of their work.
As a business owner seeking to cut costs, you can think of hiring software developers abroad, and the question arises –
Should you outsource Android development?
Outsourcing Android development can be a good choice, especially for startups or companies for whom the Android version of their application is not a priority and can be delegated to third parties. Apart from traditional outsourcing, when you hire an agency based in Ukraine, India, or Poland for cost-effective software development, there are other options.
Options to delegate Android development
1. Freelancers.
Hire independent Android developers from platforms like Upwork, Toptal, or Fiverr.
Pros: Flexibility and lower costs for small or short-term projects.
Cons: Limited scalability and reliability compared to agencies.
2. Dedicated development teams (outstaffing)
Employ a dedicated team through an outstaffing provider. These developers work exclusively for your project while being employed by the provider.
Pros: Full control over the team and better scalability compared to freelancers. Outstaffing vendors are quite popular in Eastern Europe for cost-efficiency and skilled talent.
3. Offshore development centers
Set up a remote team in another country through a third-party partner that manages operations and hiring.
Pros: Best suited for large-scale, long-term development needs.
4. Onshore/nearshore outsourcing
Partner with firms in your region or neighboring countries.
Pros: Easier communication and alignment on time zones; suitable for projects needing frequent interaction.
In some cases, like when you cooperate with vendors like MWDN, you can have a huge variety of working models and the ability to get a personalized solution for your needs. Ready to try it out? Contact MWDN and get all the benefits of outstaffing for your business.
« Back to Glossary Index