Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#1

Post by inlineint » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:02 PM UTC

Hi HN!

I am an engineer experienced mostly with C++, Python and Node.js, total 6 years of experience.

During the last few years I have been having deal mostly with scripting languages, but now I realized that I want to switch back to C++ (or may be better to plain C) because I want to be more close to metal and write code that is really fast. I interested mostly in networking, DSP or implementing of some learning algorithms, and I would like to develop it for GNU/Linux.

The problem is that I am looking for this kind of job only remotely, and it looks for me like jobs of this type are usually on-site. There is a plenty of remote jobs for Node.js or Python, but it is nearly impossible to find a job that suppose working with C++ or C, is remote and not looking for a guru (I do not feel me a junior, but I am not a guru too).

What do you think about it, HN? Am I looking for not good enough, or it is really impossible to find one of such type?

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#2

Post by AdmiralAsshat » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:27 PM UTC

I don't think there's a correlation between the primary language used at the job and the employer's willingness to allow remote working. Investigate C/C++ listings, see if they allow employees to work remotely. Obviously you'll be expected to appear in-person for the interview, but if they are sufficiently convinced that you can be left alone to get your work done, they might agree to let you work remotely.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#3

Post by ivoras » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:31 PM UTC

Yes, I get occasional such C++ / C jobs on Toptal (http://www.toptal.com/#hire-astute-engineers) - yes, it's a referral link, sosumi ;)

The job and the community are nice enough that I don't mind evangelizing.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#4

Post by CBABIES » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:32 PM UTC

For C++, you'll need to know Qt.

It's probably easier to find an Objective-C job than a C job.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#5

Post by inlineint » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:37 PM UTC

CBABIES wrote: post #4

For C++, you'll need to know Qt. It's probably easier to find an Objective-C job than a C job.

I know Qt (have an open-source project based on it https://github.com/a-rodin/qstardict), but don't want to work with GUI. I think I would like some libraries or applications that run on server and so some complicated jobs that require high performance.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#6

Post by joelhooks » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:37 PM UTC

I wonder if Golang might be an option for you? It's seen huge surge in use, and is more "modern" so might be more likely to be used by company that understands benefits of remote.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#7

Post by peterkelly » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:38 PM UTC

I'm not sure why the programming language matters. I'm part of a small team that works remotely for a US company (we're in Thailand), and the company couldn't care less about what language(s) we use - they hired us because of what we can build for them and the value we bring to their business.

Having said that, getting the job was more a combination of luck and knowing the right people than anything else. I expect it's harder trying to find advertised jobs.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#8

Post by humanrebar » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:39 PM UTC

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #2

I don't think there's a correlation between the primary language used at the job and the employer's willingness to allow remote working. Investigate C/C++ listings, see if they allow employees to work remotely. Obviously you'll be expected to appear in-person for the interview, but if they are sufficiently convinced that you can be left alone to get your work done, they might agree to let you work remotely.

Eh... I'd say the problems you need C or C++ for tend to be much more finicky than the typical web development job. Not that the web development work is easier, but the issues tend to be fairly intuitive and pretty close to a human problem.

Explaining C++ lookup rules or convincing a teammate that a particular piece of code contains undefined behavior... it helps to be in person. I haven't tried this sort of work over video chats, though.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#9

Post by inlineint » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:39 PM UTC

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #2

I don't think there's a correlation between the primary language used at the job and the employer's willingness to allow remote working. Investigate C/C++ listings, see if they allow employees to work remotely. Obviously you'll be expected to appear in-person for the interview, but if they are sufficiently convinced that you can be left alone to get your work done, they might agree to let you work remotely.

I mean entirely remote jobs and in-person interview is not possible. The reason is that now I live in a small town in Russia.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible to find remote job on C/C++?

#10

Post by FigBug » Wed, Nov 25, 2015, 2:40 PM UTC

Do you know anything about audio dsp? I've found jobs in the pro audio industry are pretty easy to do remotely. I do a mix of VST/AU plugins, small audio apps and control surfaces. I get most of my jobs through my network of contacts, but there are a few jobs that get posted here as well: http://www.juce.com/forums/juce-jobs