Ask HN: Debug only positions, is there a market? I realized, I enjoy diving into existing code, understand it and just fix bugs. I was thinking, is there a company with a backlog of bugs that is looking for a debugger. Basically, I come to work, fix bugs all day. Anyone looking for someone like that, let me know please? This is a good niche: Software Mechanician, Software repairman |
https://typicalprogrammer.com/the-joys-of-maintenance-progra...
My approach: get the (potential) customer to list their top pain points, in order of cost (financial or otherwise), then I work through those. You have discrete well-defined tasks and customers can attach a price/value much easier than they can for new development. Once you show results the work snowballs -- every company has a backlog even if they don't have it written down. Word of mouth does the rest. Technically you need broad generalist skills and the patience to read lots of code and documentation. And you need to offer alternative solutions -- not every software problem has a technical solution, some problems come from organizational or people conflicts.
the company won't appreciate debuggers though, they tend to give raise to those who deliver new features.