What Should I Look for When Hiring Salesforce Developers in the USA for Custom Integration Work?

[Vihan Richard]

Hey community,

I’m currently evaluating firms to hire Salesforce developers in the USA, specifically for a project involving complex Salesforce Cloud Integration Services. The work includes integrating with third-party CRMs, custom ERPs, and platforms like Shopify and Marketing Cloud.

From a technical standpoint, what should I assess beyond the basic certifications? Should Apex, LWC (Lightning Web Components), and integration experience with REST/SOAP APIs be considered non-negotiable?
Also, I’d love insights on:

• Experience with Salesforce Platform Events or Queueable Apex
• Familiarity with CI/CD best practices (Gearset, Jenkins, etc.)
• HIPAA or industry-specific compliance exposure
• Red flags to watch out for during vetting

If you've worked with a U.S.-based Salesforce partner or team for custom integration, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience—good or bad. Recommendations welcome!

Thanks in advance.