Complete guide

How to find software developers in Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru
March 1, 2023
Share:

Johor Bahru is the capital and largest city of the Malaysian state of Johor. It is located along the Straits of Johor at the southern end of Peninsular Malaysia. Johor Bahru is known for its vibrant culture, shopping and nightlife, as well as its numerous tourist attractions. The city is also home to a number of historical sites, parks, museums, and other landmarks, making it a popular destination for visitors. Johor Bahru is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Johor Bahru are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Johor Bahru you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Johor Bahru, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Johor Bahru is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Johor Bahru

The statistics on tech talent in Johor Bahru are quite promising. The city is home to a number of thriving tech companies, including the likes of Lazada, Garena, and SEA Group, who are actively recruiting and hiring talent from the area. In addition, the city is also home to a number of tech incubators and accelerators, as well as a number of universities and technical colleges that are providing a platform for tech talent to hone their skills. This has resulted in an influx of tech talent from all over the region, with an estimated 20,000 tech professionals currently living in the city. This is only expected to increase in the coming years, making Johor Bahru a hub for tech talent in Malaysia.

The tech ecosystem in Johor Bahru

The tech ecosystem in Johor Bahru is growing rapidly and becoming a key player in the Malaysian tech industry. Major players in the tech ecosystem include the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Invest Johor, the Johor Technology Park, the Johor Bahru Innovation Centre, the Iskandar Malaysia Technology Accelerator (IMTA), and the JB Accelerator programme. These organizations are leading the way in fostering the development of technology-based businesses and creating an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition, Johor Bahru has become a regional hub for tech startups, with a growing number of accelerators and incubators. The city is also home to a number of creative hubs, such as the Johor Creative Hub and the Iskandar Creative Hub, which offer co-working spaces, mentorship, and other resources for tech entrepreneurs. With its vibrant tech ecosystem, Johor Bahru is well-positioned to become a major hub for technology and innovation in the region.

Best tech meetups in Johor Bahru

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Johor Bahru Developers Group
2. JB Tech Meetup
3. Johor Bahru Agile User Group
4. Johor Bahru Data Science Meetup
5. Johor Bahru Blockchain Meetup
6. Johor Bahru Mobile App Developers Meetup
7. Johor Bahru Cloud Computing Meetup
8. Johor Bahru UX and UI Designers Meetup
9. Johor Bahru Artificial Intelligence Meetup
10. Johor Bahru Internet of Things Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Johor Bahru

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Use local recruitment agencies: Working with local recruitment agencies can help you quickly and efficiently source software development talent in Johor Bahru.

2. Post job ads on job boards: Posting job ads on job boards such as Craigslist, Indeed, or Monster can help you reach a wider audience.

3. Leverage your existing network: Ask your existing contacts or network of professionals if they know any software development talent that might be interested in the job.

4. Use online communities: Use online communities such as LinkedIn or Reddit to reach out to software developers and find potential candidates.

5. Attend tech events: Attend tech events in Johor Bahru to network and meet potential candidates.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Johor Bahru is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Johor Bahru

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Jobstreet
2. Jobstore
3. Monster
4. Indeed
5. LinkedIn
6. Glassdoor
7. Jora
8. MyStarJob
9. JobsMalaysia
10. Gumtree

Best remote job boards to find developers in Johor Bahru

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. Freelancer
3. Fiverr
4. PeoplePerHour
5. Guru
6. Indeed
7. Remote.co
8. Toptal
9. FlexJobs
10. WeWorkRemotely

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Johor Bahru

The average salary for a junior developer in Johor Bahru is estimated to be around RM 3,000 to RM 4,000 per month. This salary range may vary based on experience, skills and other factors. Generally, junior developers are responsible for developing and maintaining back-end applications, databases, and web services. They may also be involved in coding, debugging and troubleshooting software applications, as well as participate in design and development of new features.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Johor Bahru

The average salary for a senior developer in Johor Bahru is approximately RM5,500 per month. This is higher than the nationwide average of RM4,500 per month. Senior developers in Johor Bahru are typically experienced professionals with at least 5 years of experience in software development. They possess in-depth knowledge of programming languages, development tools, frameworks, and other technologies. Senior developers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications, as well as providing technical guidance to junior developers.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Johor Bahru. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Johor Bahru. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Johor Bahru.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is an outsourced service provider who is contracted by a company to take on the responsibilities of an employer on behalf of the company. This service is particularly useful for companies in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, that are looking to expand their operations without the need to set up a local office.

1. Research potential EORs: Research potential EORs in Johor Bahru to ensure they are properly licensed and qualified to provide the services you require. Make sure they have a good track record and the resources to handle your business needs.

2. Work out the contract: Work out the contract with the EOR, including the scope of the services, fees, and any other factors. Be sure to discuss the scope of services and fees up front to ensure that you are both on the same page.

3. Find the right employees: The EOR will be responsible for finding and hiring the right employees for your company in Johor Bahru. They will also be responsible for setting up payroll, benefits, and other processes.

4. Manage the payroll: The EOR will also be responsible for managing the payroll, benefits, and other processes. This includes ensuring that the employees are paid correctly and on time.

5. Monitor compliance: The EOR will also be responsible for monitoring compliance with local laws and regulations. This includes ensuring that the employees are properly taxed and that the company is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.

6. Handle disputes: The EOR will also be responsible for handling any disputes that arise between the company and its employees. They will also be responsible for resolving any disputes with the local government or other third parties.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

More content like this

Sign up and receive the best new tech recruiting content weekly.
Thank you! Fresh tech recruiting content coming your way 🧠
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Latest Articles