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Writer's pictureBeethoven Yuson

When to Make Your First Engineering Hire: A Founder's Guide

Updated: Nov 12

You've bootstrapped your way through the early days, perhaps cobbled together an MVP, and now your startup is gaining traction. But a question keeps you up at night: "Is it time to bring on my first engineer?" Let's break down this crucial decision with real talk about timing, costs, and what to expect.


Those Telltale Signs You Need a Technical Hire

Remember when you had to explain to investors why your feature launch was delayed because your contractor went MIA? Yeah, that's a sign. Here are more red flags that scream, "hire an engineer!":


  • Your technical debt is piling up faster than your laundry

  • You're spending more time managing contractors than building your business

  • Customer feedback is sitting in a backlog because you can't implement changes quickly

  • You find yourself saying, "If only we could..." in every product meeting

  • Your current solution isn't scaling with your growing user base




The Great Debate: Contractor vs. Full-Time Engineer

Because this decision hits your wallet differently, let's talk money and value.


Contractor Route 📱

  • Costs: $75-150/hour ($12,000-24,000/month for full-time equivalent)

  • Flexibility: High (scale up/down as needed)

  • Project-based work: Perfect for discrete features

  • Knowledge retention: Low (they take their expertise when they leave)


Full-Time Engineer 💻

  • Estimated Costs: $120,000-180,000/year (depending on role, skills and level)

  • Flexibility: Lower (fixed cost)

  • Long-term investment: Builds institutional knowledge

  • Cultural impact: Shapes your technical culture from day one


Hidden Costs to Consider 💵

  • Recruitment fees (15-25% of first-year salary for full-time)

  • Benefits package (~20% of base salary)

  • Equipment and software licenses

  • Training and onboarding time


Impact on Product Development📈

Bringing on your first engineer is like upgrading from a rowboat to a speedboat. Here's what changes:


Immediate Benefits

  • Faster iteration cycles: No more waiting for contractor availability

  • Better technical decisions: Long-term thinking vs. quick fixes

  • Reduced technical debt: Problems get solved, not patched

  • Increased innovation: Having a dedicated engineer means more time for experimentation


Long-term Advantages

  • Building a scalable technical foundation

  • Creating documentation and processes

  • Easier future technical hiring

  • More robust security and maintenance practices


Timeline Expectations: Reality Check

Don't expect miracles overnight. Here's a realistic timeline:


Month 1
  • Getting familiar with the codebase

  • Setting up a development environment

  • Small fixes and improvements


Months 2-3
  • Taking ownership of specific features

  • Implementing best practices

  • Beginning to tackle technical debt


Months 4-6
  • Leading technical decisions

  • Shipping major features independently

  • Creating technical documentation

  • Planning for scale


Making the Decision

The right time to hire your first engineer is when:

  1. You can afford at least 12 months of their salary

  2. You have consistent technical needs that exceed 30 hours/week

  3. Your product's technical complexity requires dedicated attention

  4. You're ready to invest in long-term technical growth


Finding Your Perfect Technical Match 🚀

When making this crucial hire, you don't have to go it alone. Handpicked Talent connects startups with exceptional engineering talent that fits your technical needs and company culture. We understand the unique challenges of early-stage companies and can help you:

  • Access a pre-vetted pool of senior engineers

  • Save valuable time in the hiring process

  • Find candidates who align with your startup's vision

  • Navigate competitive salary negotiations

  • Ensure cultural fit alongside technical expertise


With Handpicked Talent's proven track record in placing engineering talent at startups, you can focus on growing your business while they handle the complexities of technical recruitment. Their transparent process and deep understanding of the startup ecosystem make them an ideal partner for founders making their first technical hire.



Final Thoughts

Making your first engineering hire is like getting married—it's a big commitment that can lead to fantastic growth when you choose the right partner. Look for someone with the technical chops who shares your vision and who can grow with your company.


Ready to take the plunge? Connect with Handpicked Talent to start your search for the perfect technical hire. Their expertise in matching startups with top engineering talent could be the key to your next growth phase. Remember, in the early stages, finding someone with the right technical skills and startup mindset is crucial – and that's precisely what Handpicked Talent specializes in.

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