Kotlin is no longer just the “modern alternative” to Java—it’s grown into a versatile language powering Android apps, backend systems, and now, thanks to Kotlin Multiplatform, cross-platform apps. For tech companies aiming to maximize resources and reduce time-to-market, this is a game-changer. But the real secret sauce? Hiring developers who can leverage Kotlin across these platforms seamlessly. If you’re planning to hire Kotlin developers, you need talent that doesn’t just write mobile code—they architect unified solutions.
Whether you’re building an Android app with shared business logic, a web client with Kotlin/JS, or backend services with Ktor, the demand is shifting toward engineers who know how to do it all.
The question is: how do you find them? And what skills truly matter when building for multiple platforms using Kotlin?
Table of Contents
Why Versatility in Kotlin Development Matters More Than Ever
1. Understand the Power of Kotlin Multiplatform
Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) lets you write shared code—especially business logic—that can be used across Android, iOS, web, and backend. This is a big deal for tech companies trying to unify their codebase and reduce redundant development efforts.
When you hire Kotlin developers with Multiplatform experience, you’re not just hiring an Android developer. You’re hiring someone who understands code reusability, cross-team collaboration, and shared architecture. For example, a single module written in Kotlin can manage network requests, caching, and domain logic for both Android and iOS, leaving the UI layer to be handled separately.
This helps reduce bugs, simplify testing, and speed up release cycles. Companies like Netflix, Autodesk, and VMware are already leveraging Kotlin Multiplatform in production environments.
Look for developers who can explain how they’ve separated UI from logic, handled shared modules, and managed build complexity using Gradle. It’s not just about knowing Kotlin—it’s about knowing how to structure code for scalability across platforms.
2. Prioritize Backend Experience with Kotlin + Ktor
While Kotlin is most widely known for Android, its usage on the backend is gaining serious momentum, especially with frameworks like Ktor. This means you can hire developers who not only handle mobile front-ends but also build REST APIs, WebSockets, and microservices in the same language.
Tech companies building mobile-first products often benefit from a unified backend/frontend codebase written in Kotlin. It reduces the communication gap between mobile and server developers and allows for shared logic, such as data models or authentication flows.
If your goal is to hire Kotlin developers who can “do it all,” backend familiarity is essential. Ask about their experience with:
- Setting up Ktor applications
- Connecting with databases (like Exposed for SQL or MongoDB clients)
- Writing RESTful APIs and handling middleware
- Implementing authentication and role-based access
A developer who can work across mobile and backend layers is a huge asset to any engineering team, especially in fast-paced tech companies where efficiency is everything.
3. Evaluate Real-World Multi-Platform Projects
Kotlin Multiplatform isn’t just theory—it’s being used in production today. If a developer says they’ve worked with KMP, dig into the details. Ask them to show you:
- A shared codebase between Android and iOS
- How they handled platform-specific implementations (like camera access or location services)
- How they managed testing across platforms
- The tools and libraries they used (e.g., Koin for DI, kotlinx serialization, coroutines)
You want to hire Kotlin developers who’ve gone beyond tutorials. Look for real-world projects that involve versioning shared modules, handling sync between Android/iOS teams, and even resolving dependency conflicts across targets.
Some developers may even have experience integrating Kotlin/JS to support web platforms or working with Kotlin/Native for iOS. While not all companies need full-stack multiplatform support, understanding where Kotlin fits across ecosystems is a valuable skill that can reduce team silos and improve maintainability.
4. Assess Their Command of Coroutines and Asynchronous Programming
When working across platforms and devices, asynchronous programming becomes vital, especially for network calls, data processing, or I/O operations. Kotlin’s coroutines provide a clean and efficient way to write asynchronous code without falling into callback hell.
If you’re going to hire Kotlin developers for cross-platform projects, deep familiarity with coroutines is non-negotiable. It’s the backbone of shared logic in Kotlin Multiplatform apps.
Ask how they:
- Structure coroutine scopes in shared modules
- Handle exception management across asynchronous tasks
- Use flows for reactive programming
- Manage thread safety and cancellation across platforms
Coroutines aren’t just a feature—they’re a way of thinking about concurrency. Tech companies working on real-time apps, data-intensive platforms, or mobile clients that rely on smooth user experiences will benefit significantly from developers who truly understand Kotlin’s concurrency model.
5. Look for Developers Who Think Beyond Code
Cross-platform development isn’t just about writing code—it’s about collaboration, architecture, and long-term maintainability. This is especially important in tech companies where backend, iOS, and Android teams need to share logic while working on separate UI layers.
The best Kotlin developers understand:
- How to structure shared modules to avoid unnecessary coupling
- When to split logic between common and platform-specific code
- How to write clear documentation and onboarding guides for cross-team usage
- The importance of clean code principles when working on shared libraries
During interviews, ask about their experiences collaborating with other platform teams. How did they manage feedback loops between iOS and Android? What challenges did they face while implementing shared business logic? The answers will reveal whether they’re just coders or real product-minded engineers.
You don’t just want to hire Kotlin developers who can write shared code—you want ones who think about product consistency, development velocity, and team collaboration.
6. Where to Find Kotlin Multiplatform Talent
While Kotlin Multiplatform is still relatively new compared to other cross-platform solutions like Flutter or React Native, it’s growing fast, and so is the community. If you’re serious about finding developers who can leverage it, go beyond LinkedIn job posts.
Some great places to look include:
- Kotlin Slack community – Active channels for multiplatform and Ktor discussions
- JetBrains community forums – Official source for Kotlin updates and discussions
- GitHub – Search for open-source KMP libraries or contributors to JetBrains/Kotlin projects
- Conferences and meetups – KotlinConf and Droidcon often feature sessions on Multiplatform
- Freelance platforms like Toptal or Upwork – Filter for candidates with KMP and Ktor experience
Also, consider platforms tailored for tech companies hiring remote Kotlin developers. These often include pre-screened candidates and can save hours in the hiring process.
And remember: because Kotlin Multiplatform is still maturing, you might not find developers with 5+ years of experience—but you can find developers who are passionate, proactive, and deeply engaged with the ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
Kotlin isn’t just a safer Java alternative—it’s becoming a bridge between mobile, backend, and even web development. And in today’s fast-paced product cycles, that kind of flexibility can be the difference between meeting your release goals and falling behind.
Tech companies building scalable, maintainable products should invest in hiring Kotlin developers who can adapt and contribute across the entire stack.
