HiringJune 12, 2026

How startups should scope their first dedicated engineering hire

A practical checklist for founders hiring their first offshore or dedicated engineer without wasting a quarter.

Most startups over-index on résumés and under-index on working agreements. Before you hire a dedicated engineer, define the first 30-day outcome, the tools they will live in, and who owns product decisions. Start with a single surface area — one backlog, one standup cadence, and one success metric. Expand only after the first delivery cycle lands.

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