Essential Software Engineer Qualities to Look for When Hiring

Great developers don't just solve problems; they create momentum, spark innovation, and foster collaboration that elevates the entire organization. But identifying these qualities is no small task. It’s about more than technical skills—it’s about spotting the traits that help them thrive in dynamic, high-stakes environments.

In fact, nearly half (48%) of IT decision-makers face challenges when finding and hiring new talent, according to research from SkillSoft. But with the right approach, you can identify the qualities of a software engineer who doesn’t just solve problems but transforms your entire organization.

X-Team has hired thousands of developers with these essential software engineer qualities in the 20 years we've been in business. Discover what to look for in a software developer, common barriers to identifying the qualities of a software engineer in candidates, and how to assess these traits during the hiring process.

6 Qualities of a Good Software Engineer 

Hiring a good developer is more than just finding someone who can write code, whether you're recruiting people to work full time on staff or looking to hire external developers.

Exceptional engineers possess a mix of technical expertise, adaptability, and soft skills that set them apart.

Skilled

Exceptional engineers combine a strong foundation in technical knowledge with an ability to adapt to new tools and challenges. They write clean, maintainable code and deliver scalable, efficient solutions that stand the test of time.

Why It Matters

• Ensures systems are robust, reliable, and future-proof.
• Reduces technical debt and minimizes maintenance costs.
• Provides confidence in tackling complex technical challenges.

Confident 

The best developers speak with clarity and conviction. They explain ideas effectively, make thoughtful decisions, and bring calm confidence to high-pressure situations. Good communication skills help align teams and foster trust, ensuring projects stay on track.

Why It Matters

• Keeps projects on track by eliminating ambiguity.
• Builds trust with stakeholders and teammates.
• Reflects experience and makes decision-making faster and more reliable.

Proactive

Great software developers don’t wait for directions to solve complex problems — they take initiative. They anticipate challenges, tackle problems head-on, and seek out opportunities to improve processes or deliver extra value. Their energy ensures that projects maintain momentum.

Why It Matters

• Frees managers to focus on strategy rather than supervision.
• Keeps progress steady, even when roadblocks appear.
• Encourages a culture of continuous improvement.

Collaborative

Top engineers thrive in a team environment. They act as team players, actively supporting their peers, actively sharing knowledge, and fostering an atmosphere of trust and mentorship. Collaborative team members elevate everyone around them and build strong, cohesive teams.

Why It Matters

• Promotes open communication and innovation.
• Ensures teammates are unblocked and supported.
• Fosters a positive, growth-oriented team culture.

Curious

Continuous learning comes naturally to great developers. They embrace challenges as opportunities to grow, constantly refining their skills and learning new technologies and programming languages. Lifelong learners don’t just stay relevant — they help their teams innovate and adapt.

Why It Matters

• Keeps teams agile and ready for emerging trends.
• Sparks innovation through fresh ideas and new approaches.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.

Resilient 

When faced with tough challenges, the best engineers rise to the occasion. Resilient problem-solvers tackle obstacles with creativity and determination, delivering innovative and effective solutions in the most fast pace environments.

Why It Matters

• Keeps projects moving forward, even under pressure.
• Enhances the quality and reliability of the final product.
• Drives smarter, more efficient solutions to complex problems.

By prioritizing these six traits when you hire a software engineer, you’ll create a high-performing team that’s ready to tackle any challenge and drive your projects to success.

Why Hiring Great Developers Is So Challenging

Finding great programmers is one of the toughest challenges for tech leaders today. The demand for top talent is sky-high, but the process of identifying the right mix of technical expertise, adaptability, and collaboration is fraught with hurdles. From tight timelines to competing priorities, the road to building a high-performing team is anything but straightforward.

Hiring isn’t just about filling a roll to write code — it’s about finding individuals who will move your team forward, deliver exceptional results, and align with your vision for the future. 

Pressure to Move Quickly

The pace of the tech industry often leaves little room for thoughtful evaluation of software engineer strengths. The pressure to deliver results fast often pushes leaders to prioritize speed over substance. This can lead to hiring decisions that overlook critical traits like strong communication or problem-solving skills, resulting in misaligned teams and costly setbacks.

Balancing Short-Term Demands with Long-Term Vision

Leaders often face a difficult choice: hire for today’s urgent needs or build a team capable of evolving with future challenges. While niche technical skills can address immediate gaps, they don’t always align with your team’s long-term goals.

Limited Time for Comprehensive Evaluations

With tight deadlines and limited resources, hiring processes are often streamlined, leaving critical traits like attention to detail or collaboration unchecked. While tools like trial projects or in-depth technical assessments are valuable, they’re rarely feasible for busy teams.

Balancing Cultural Fit and Diverse Perspectives

Hiring for cultural fit is essential to maintaining team cohesion, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of homogeneity. Diverse perspectives bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions, yet finding candidates who challenge the status quo while aligning with your team’s values is no small feat.

Balancing Cultural Fit and Diverse Perspectives

Personality traits like confidence or introversion are often misinterpreted during the hiring process. Quiet, highly skilled candidates may be overlooked, while more outspoken candidates might overshadow their collaborative shortcomings.

How to Assess Software Engineer Qualities During the Hiring Process

Identifying candidates with the right software developer characteristics requires a structured and intentional approach. 

Dive Deep with Behavioral Interviews

Behavioral interviews help you uncover how candidates have handled challenges, collaborated with teams, and delivered results in the past. Questions like, “Tell me about a time you had to solve a difficult problem under pressure,” offer insight into their mindset, resilience, and approach to ethical issues in software development.

Use Technical Assessments That Mirror Real-World Scenarios

Technical assessments let you see candidates in action. Whether it’s debugging code, designing a new feature, or tackling a coding challenge, these tests reveal more than technical proficiency — they highlight problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Ask Scenario-Based Questions

Scenario-based questions challenge candidates to think critically about hypothetical situations. For example, “How would you approach debugging a codebase you’ve never seen before?” or “What would you do if project requirements changed halfway through development?” These questions show how candidates handle ambiguity and adapt under pressure.

Review Portfolios for Impact, Not Just Process

A strong portfolio doesn’t just list past work — it tells a story of innovation and results. By reviewing how candidates have solved real-world problems and delivered value, you can gain a clearer picture of their technical capabilities and creativity.

Portfolio Reviews

A portfolio is more than a collection of past work: it’s a window into a developer’s ability to solve real-world problems and deliver results. Look for examples of scalable solutions, clean code, and measurable impact — all key software developer characteristics

Test Collaboration Skills with Team Exercises

Collaboration exercises, like group coding challenges or design projects, reveal how well candidates work with others. They test communication, adaptability, and the ability to contribute to shared success — all essential for building a cohesive team.

Keep Moving Forward with X-Team’s Software Engineering Talent Solutions

Whether you need one software engineer for hire or an entire team, X-Team provides rigorously vetted developer talent that integrates seamlessly into your workflows. Our developers actively contribute to your goals, delivering results that align with your vision and scale as your needs evolve.

With X-Team, you can focus on building transformative software solutions while we handle the complexities of global hiring. Our human-driven approach ensures a streamlined process, reduced time-to-hire, and compliance with employment laws — empowering you to grow sustainably without disruption.

Find out how X-Team can meet your on-demand engineering needs.