How to Hire the Right NetSuite Developer: 10 Traits Executives Should Look For

Executives don’t hire a NetSuite Developer to write code. 

They hire one to make NetSuite deliver on its promise: faster closes, cleaner reporting, smoother operations, and compliance that holds up under scrutiny.

Too often, though, companies end up with developers who churn out scripts without considering business impact. 

The result? Over-customization, fragile systems, and financial data that nobody fully trusts.

A great NetSuite Developer is different. They live inside NetSuite, anticipate risks before they happen, and protect enterprise value while they code.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why so many companies hire the wrong developer
• The 10 traits that separate strong NetSuite Developers from weak ones
• Common mistakes executives should avoid in hiring
• Why Atticus is solving this problem differently
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Why Do Most Companies Hire the Wrong NetSuite Developer?

Most hiring processes for NetSuite roles are keyword-driven. If a resume says SuiteScript, workflows, or SuiteAnalytics, the assumption is “they’re qualified.”

But technical skills alone aren’t enough. A weak developer may be able to build what you ask for, but not what your business actually needs. 

That gap creates:

• Wasted budgets: Paying for redundant customizations.
• Compliance issues: Code that breaks revenue recognition rules or audit trails.
• Fragile systems: Custom features that collapse during upgrades.
• Delays in scaling: Developers who don’t understand accounting and operations slow down growth.

It’s why companies can spend $150,000 on a local developer and still struggle. The real issue isn’t pay. It’s finding people who code with business continuity, compliance, and growth in mind.
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10 Signs of a Great NetSuite Developer

Not all NetSuite Developers are created equal. 

The best ones don’t just “make things work.” They make decisions that protect your data, support compliance, and keep your business ready for growth.

Here are the 10 traits to look for:
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1. They don’t just code. They connect the dots.

The wrong developer buries themselves in SuiteScript. The right one asks why the workflow matters before writing a single line. They translate business pain into technical fixes.

Look for:

• Process-first thinking: Can they explain how a script affects finance, operations, and users?
• Plain-English answers: If they can’t explain it to a CFO, they don’t understand it.

One Atticus client, a NetSuite services provider, hired certified developers who bridged operations with finance. Bottlenecks disappeared because developers weren’t just “order takers” but problem solvers.
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2. They leave breadcrumbs for the next person.

Every script is a decision point in your ERP. If it’s undocumented, you’re sitting on a black box.

Look for:

• Clear script notes: Not just “works” but why it works this way.
• Versioning habits: You should see a trail of logic, not mystery code.

We’ve seen companies spend tens of thousands just to reverse-engineer “mystery SuiteScripts.” A good developer spares you that bill.
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3. They build for audits before auditors arrive.

CFOs care about revenue recognition, multi-book, and audit trails. Developers who get this make everyone’s life easier.

Look for:

• Revenue-ready code: ASC 606 logic built in from the start.
• Audit trails intact: Automations that don’t erase logs.
• Multi-book discipline: Numbers that tie out across every ledger.

One Atticus client avoided weeks of due diligence headaches because their developer had kept revenue schedules spotless. Investors moved forward without a single hiccup.
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4. They protect your data like it’s cash.

A single bad CSV upload can derail month-end close. Imports, migrations, integrations. This is where amateurs slip.

Look for:

• Test batches first: No cowboy uploads.
• External IDs for consistency: Prevents duplicate chaos.
• Validation checks: Garbage doesn’t make it into production.

Gold Bond’s remote NetSuite hire babysat every integration, even while managing Celigo. That vigilance saved them $8K in annual app costs and cut project timelines in half.
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5. They know when “custom” just means “costly.”

NetSuite is flexible. But flexibility can turn into fragility if every request becomes a custom script.

Look for:

• Pushback when needed: “Why script this if NetSuite already does it?”
• Upgrade-friendly builds: Lean systems don’t break on version updates.

One client’s junior developer had customized their approval workflows beyond recognition. When they upgraded, everything broke. The senior Atticus hire rolled it back to native tools and stability returned overnight.
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6. They’re fluent in more than SuiteScript.

A narrow developer gets stuck when the problem crosses into integrations, finance, or user adoption. A strong one moves seamlessly across those borders.

Look for:

• Integration fluency: Shopify, Celigo, banking APIs.
• Finance-aware coding: Understanding debits, credits, and revenue recognition schedules.
• Adoption mindset: Workflows that users actually use.

Gold Bond didn’t just need NetSuite; they needed Celigo covered too. One hire did both. Cross-platform fluency saved them 55% versus hiring two specialists.
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7. They think like operators, not just engineers.

The best NetSuite developers “get” how operations teams really work. They don’t create elegant scripts that no one touches. They solve bottlenecks users actually feel.

Look for:

• End-to-end fixes: Inventory, order management, supply chain.
• Empathy for users: They test flows with the same impatience as an operations lead on the floor.

Our NetSuite services client was hitting functional gaps in order management. Their Atticus developer knew operations pain firsthand and re-scripted fulfillment. 

Processing delays dropped, efficiency went up.
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8. They make your ERP investor-ready.

Sloppy setups can significantly harm valuations during M&A or fundraising. Investors and auditors dig deep and a great developer makes sure your ERP holds up under the microscope.

Look for:

• Traceable numbers: Financials that tie back years.
• Clean revenue recognition schedules: No deferred revenue disasters.
• Well-documented scripts: Nothing hidden, nothing risky.

An Atticus client breezed through investor due diligence because their developer had already been keeping the books “exit ready.” That foresight translated into millions in valuation protection.
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9. They bring leverage with automation and AI.

The best developers don’t just code. They speed up delivery with modern tools.

Look for:

• AI-assisted coding: Faster builds, fewer errors.
• Automation everywhere: One-click receiving, auto-validations, background scripts.
• Creative hacks: Using native modules in unexpected ways to save licensing costs.

Gold Bond’s developer used Gemini and ChatGPT to clean up code and push integrations faster. That mix of AI and ERP expertise shaved weeks off delivery timelines.
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10. They act like part of your team, not a contractor.

A hire is only as good as their integration with your team. A strong developer works like they’re on payroll, not just on contract.

Look for:

• Daily visibility: In Jira, Slack, or whatever your team lives in.
• Proactive communication: They flag issues before they become escalations.
• Long-haul mindset: They build systems they’re willing to maintain.

Gold Bond’s remote hire didn’t feel remote. With daily standups, Jira tickets, and Slack threads, they worked like in-house staff and delivered more consistency than past agency partners.
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Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a NetSuite Developer

Most hiring mistakes don’t show up on day one. They surface months later, when scripts start breaking, audits hit roadblocks, or the developer you hired walks away without leaving documentation.

Here are the red flags worth catching early:

• Hiring an admin and expecting developer skills: Admins keep the lights on. Developers build the wiring. Mixing the two creates bottlenecks.
• Putting too much weight on certifications: A SuiteFoundation badge doesn’t mean they know how to shorten your close cycle or protect your audit trail.
• Ignoring retention risk: Developer churn means undocumented scripts, expensive fixes, and systems nobody fully understands.
• Underestimating the cost of rework: The wrong hire doesn’t just waste time. They multiply costs once consultants are brought in to clean up.

The truth is, the wrong developer doesn’t just slow you down. They leave behind expensive messes that take months (and tens of thousands) to undo.
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Why 250+ Companies Hire a NetSuite Developer Through Atticus

Most firms fight over the same local talent pool. We solved the problem differently.

At Atticus, we don’t just “find” you a NetSuite developer. We give you bench strength your competitors can’t match:

• Developers who understand both code and business processes.
• Specialists who stay long enough to own, maintain, and future-proof your ERP.
• A staffing model that makes elite talent accessible without burning budgets.

It’s why more than 250 companies from high-growth SaaS firms to established enterprises trust Atticus for their hardest-to-fill NetSuite roles.
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Ready to See What the Right NetSuite Developer Can Do For You?

Stop taking unnecessary risks on unreliable resumes and certifications. 

The fastest way to protect enterprise value is to put a proven NetSuite developer on your team. One who codes with compliance, scalability, and continuity in mind.

Atticus connects you with certified, vetted NetSuite developers in as little as 72 hours.

Book a call today and get matched with your next developer who’ll keep your ERP audit-ready, investor-ready, and built for growth.