Feature Pod
Full-stack engineering teams focused on building new features, products, and customer-facing applications.
Team Includes
Best For
Flagship Solution
Get dedicated engineering pods that own outcomes, not just tasks. Our managed outsourcing model combines the cost benefits of offshore teams with the accountability, quality, and communication you expect from in-house engineering.
Your Managed Pod
Cross-Functional Team
Team Composition
The Outsourcing Challenge
Most companies have been burned by outsourcing before—missed deadlines, quality issues, and communication nightmares. We built Salt specifically to solve these problems.
Traditional outsourcing vendors overpromise and underdeliver. Projects drag on without accountability or clear milestones.
Developers rotate in and out of your project. You constantly retrain new people and lose institutional knowledge.
12-hour timezone differences, language barriers, and lack of proactive updates leave you guessing about progress.
Code that works in demo but fails in production. No automated testing, no code reviews, no quality standards.
Get the same team members throughout your engagement. Engineers who understand your codebase, your domain, and your goals.
Our SPARK™ framework brings structure with quality gates, sprint ceremonies, and transparent progress tracking.
4+ hours daily overlap with US timezones. Async standups, weekly demos, and real-time Slack access to your team.
Code reviews, automated testing, security scanning, and documentation standards are non-negotiable on every project.
The Transformation
If any of this looks familiar, you're not alone. See how our managed approach transforms the experience.
Sound familiar?
Production is down 🔥
3:42 AM
Who approved this PR?
Yesterday
The offshore dev quit
Monday
It works on my machine 🤷
2 days ago
Where's the documentation?
3 days ago
This wasn't in the requirements
Last week
"We'll fix it later" 📝
The Salt difference
Outcome accountability
We own results, not hours
Dedicated team stability
Same engineers throughout
Proactive communication
4+ hours daily overlap
Built-in quality gates
Code review, testing, security
SPARK™ framework
Predictable delivery process
What Engineering Leaders Say
"We went through 5 different developers in 8 months. Each time, we lost weeks to onboarding. Nothing was documented. We were basically starting over every quarter."
— VP Engineering, Series B SaaS
"Same team for 18 months now. They know our codebase better than some of our full-time hires. Sprint commitments are predictable. I actually trust the estimates."
— CTO, Healthcare Tech Startup
Ready to escape the outsourcing chaos?
Start Your TransformationPod Types
Our managed pods come in different configurations optimized for specific types of work. Each pod is a complete, self-sufficient unit that can hit the ground running.
Full-stack engineering teams focused on building new features, products, and customer-facing applications.
Team Includes
Best For
Infrastructure, DevOps, and platform engineering specialists who build and maintain your cloud infrastructure.
Team Includes
Best For
Data engineers, ML engineers, and AI specialists who build data platforms and intelligent systems.
Team Includes
Best For
Quality assurance and software engineering in test specialists who ensure your software is production-ready.
Team Includes
Best For
Tailored team composition based on your specific technology stack, domain requirements, and project needs.
Discuss your requirementsBest For
How It Works
Our engagement process is designed to minimize risk and maximize value. Start small, prove value, then scale with confidence.
We start by understanding your current state—codebase, team, processes, and pain points. This assessment identifies bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
Key Activities
Deliverables
Assessment report, recommended pod configuration, engagement roadmap
We assemble your dedicated pod team based on your specific needs. Engineers are selected for domain fit, technical expertise, and communication skills.
Key Activities
Deliverables
Fully onboarded team, development environment ready, communication channels active
Your pod tackles a meaningful piece of work to demonstrate capability and build trust. We use this period to calibrate velocity and refine collaboration patterns.
Key Activities
Deliverables
Working software, velocity metrics, refined engagement model
Continuous delivery of features and improvements. Your pod operates as an extension of your team with predictable velocity and proactive communication.
Key Activities
Deliverables
Consistent feature delivery, quality metrics, technical documentation
As your needs grow, we can add pods, expand team size, or adjust composition. We continuously optimize processes based on learnings and changing requirements.
Key Activities
Deliverables
Scaled capacity, optimized workflows, sustained velocity
Every engagement is governed by our SPARK™ framework—Scope, Plan, Architect, Release, Keep improving. Quality gates at each phase ensure predictable, high-quality delivery.
Why Choose Managed Pods
Our managed software outsourcing model addresses the shortcomings of traditional outsourcing while delivering the cost benefits you need.
We're measured on what we ship, not hours logged. Our pods own product outcomes and take accountability for results—not just completing tasks.
No rotating developers. Your pod members stay with your project, building deep knowledge of your codebase, domain, and business goals.
After the pilot phase, you'll have clear visibility into your team's velocity. Plan releases and roadmaps with confidence.
Code reviews, automated testing, security scanning, and documentation aren't optional—they're built into every sprint.
Skip months of hiring and onboarding. Get a fully-functioning team delivering value within weeks, not quarters.
Real-time Slack access, async standups, weekly demos, and always-accessible dashboards. Know exactly where things stand.
Get senior engineering talent at a fraction of US costs without sacrificing quality, communication, or accountability.
Scale up when you need more capacity, scale down during slower periods. Adjust pod composition as your needs evolve.
Model Comparison
Understanding the differences between engagement models helps you choose the right approach for your needs.
Individual contractors you manage
Strengths
Considerations
Complete pods that own outcomes
Strengths
Considerations
Offshore teams with limited visibility
Strengths
Considerations
Every situation is different. Let's discuss your specific needs and recommend the best engagement approach—whether that's managed pods, staff augmentation, or a hybrid.
Use Cases
Our clients come to us with different challenges. Here are the most common scenarios where managed pods deliver exceptional results.
You have product-market fit and need to ship faster. Your hiring pipeline can't keep up with growth, and you need experienced engineers now—not in 6 months.
Challenge
Need to double engineering output without 6-month hiring cycles
Solution
Add one or more feature pods that integrate with your existing team and deliver immediately
Typical Results
Your legacy codebase is slowing you down. You need to modernize while keeping the lights on, but your team doesn't have time or expertise for both.
Challenge
Legacy systems need modernization without disrupting operations
Solution
Dedicated modernization pod handles migration while your team focuses on new features
Typical Results
You have a new product vision but don't want to hire a full engineering team before proving the concept. You need to move fast with a team that can scale.
Challenge
Launch new product without permanent headcount commitment
Solution
Feature pod builds your MVP, then scales as the product succeeds
Typical Results
Your engineering team is strong but stretched thin. You need to augment capacity without the cultural dilution of traditional staff augmentation.
Challenge
Need more capacity without fragmenting team culture
Solution
Pod integrates with your practices, tools, and ceremonies—like a remote office
Typical Results
You want to leverage your data but don't have in-house expertise. Building a data team from scratch would take too long and cost too much.
Challenge
Need data/AI capabilities without building team from scratch
Solution
Data & AI pod implements solutions while building organizational capability
Typical Results
Your team ships fast but quality is suffering. You need testing, CI/CD, and engineering best practices without slowing down development.
Challenge
Quality issues and technical debt accumulating
Solution
QA pod implements test automation, CI/CD, and quality gates
Typical Results
Don't see your scenario? Let's discuss your specific needs.
Talk to Our TeamEngagement Models
Whether you need a quick assessment, a pilot project, or a long-term partnership — we have an engagement model that fits your needs.
We analyze your codebase, processes, and team dynamics to identify bottlenecks and opportunities. You get a clear roadmap — no commitment required.
Ideal for: Teams wanting an objective assessment before committing
Learn moreStart with a focused pilot project. A small Pod works alongside your team on a real deliverable, so you can evaluate fit and capabilities with minimal risk.
Ideal for: Teams wanting to test the waters before scaling
Learn moreDedicated cross-functional teams that integrate with your organization. Full accountability for delivery with built-in QA, architecture reviews, and the SPARK™ framework.
Ideal for: Teams ready to scale with a trusted partner
Learn moreNeed specific skills? Augment your team with vetted engineers who work under your direction. React, Node, Python, AI engineers, and more.
Ideal for: Teams with clear requirements and strong internal leadership
Learn moreLet's talk about your goals, team structure, and timeline. We'll recommend the best way to start — with no pressure to commit.
Schedule a Free ConsultationOur Expertise
We work with modern technologies across the full stack. Our teams have deep expertise in building scalable, maintainable software.
Don't see your stack? We likely have experience with it.
Let's discuss your requirementsIndustries
We've built software for companies across industries. Our teams understand your domain's unique challenges, compliance requirements, and success metrics.
HIPAA-compliant digital health solutions. Patient portals, telehealth platforms, and healthcare data systems built right.
Scale your product fast without compromising on code quality. We help SaaS companies ship features quickly and build for growth.
Build secure, compliant financial software. From payment systems to trading platforms, we understand fintech complexity.
Platforms that convert and scale. Custom storefronts, inventory systems, and omnichannel experiences that drive revenue.
Optimize operations end-to-end. Route optimization, warehouse management, and real-time tracking systems.
FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most from companies considering managed software outsourcing with Salt.
Staff augmentation gives you individual contractors who plug into your team—you manage them, define the work, and handle coordination. Managed outsourcing gives you a complete, self-sufficient team (pod) that owns outcomes. We bring the processes, quality gates, and accountability. You define what you want built; we figure out how to deliver it. It's the difference between hiring hands and hiring a solution.
Typically 2-3 weeks from contract signing to having an onboarded, productive team. Week 1 focuses on assessment and team formation. Week 2-3 covers onboarding and environment setup. By week 4, your pod is typically in their first sprint. For a full pilot engagement (proving value on a meaningful deliverable), plan for 4-6 weeks.
While our turnover rate is low (<5% annually), we have processes for transitions. If a team member leaves, we handle finding and onboarding their replacement with minimal disruption. Knowledge is documented continuously, so no single person becomes a bottleneck. We also have backup engineers who can step in during transitions.
Quality is built into every engagement through our SPARK™ framework. This includes: mandatory code reviews for every PR, automated testing (80%+ coverage target), security scanning in CI/CD pipelines, regular security audits, and documentation standards. We're happy to comply with your existing security requirements and can implement SOC2/HIPAA controls if needed.
Our teams are based in India and work hours that provide 4+ hours of overlap with US timezones. For East Coast clients, teams typically work 7 AM - 4 PM IST (9:30 PM - 6:30 AM EST). For West Coast, we adjust to 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM IST (11 PM - 8 AM PST). This ensures real-time collaboration during your workday.
Absolutely. One of the key benefits of managed pods is flexibility. Need to add capacity for a launch? We can scale up within 2-3 weeks. Need to reduce during slower periods? We can do that too. The minimum engagement is typically one pod (3-4 people), but we can scale to multiple pods as your needs grow.
All code developed during the engagement is your property. We sign comprehensive NDAs, MSAs with IP assignment clauses, and can accommodate specific legal requirements. Our team members are bound by employment agreements that reinforce these protections. We do not reuse or retain any client code.
We're flexible on tooling and adapt to your existing stack. Our core expertise includes: Frontend (React, Next.js, Vue, Angular), Backend (Node.js, Python, Go, Java), Data & AI (Python, Spark, dbt, TensorFlow), Cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure), and DevOps (Terraform, Kubernetes, Docker). For communication, we use Slack, Teams, or whatever you prefer.
You'll have direct Slack/Teams access to your pod for real-time communication. We follow agile practices with: daily async standups, weekly sprint planning and demos, bi-weekly retrospectives, and monthly business reviews. You'll also have an Engagement Manager as a single point of contact for escalations and strategic discussions.
We start every engagement with a pilot period (typically 4-6 weeks) specifically to prove fit. If things aren't working during the pilot, we'll either make adjustments (different team members, different processes) or help you transition smoothly to another solution. After the pilot, we typically operate on 30-day notice terms—long enough for proper transition, short enough for flexibility.
Whether you need to build a new product, modernize a legacy system, or add AI capabilities, our managed pods are ready to ship value from day one.
100+
Engineering Experts
800+
Projects Delivered
14+
Years in Business
4.9★
Clutch Rating
Managed software outsourcing is a modern approach to extending your engineering capabilities without the overhead of traditional hiring or the risks of conventional outsourcing. Unlike staff augmentation, where you hire individual contractors and manage them yourself, managed outsourcing provides complete, self-sufficient teams that own outcomes—not just tasks.
At Salt Technologies, we deliver managed software outsourcing through our pod model. Each pod is a cross-functional team of 3-8 engineers including developers, QA, technical leadership, and a delivery manager. This team operates as an extension of your organization, following your processes and working toward your goals, but with the accountability and governance that ensures predictable, quality delivery.
The key distinction is ownership. Traditional outsourcing gives you hands to execute predefined tasks. Managed outsourcing gives you minds that take accountability for results. You define what success looks like; we figure out how to achieve it.
Traditional software outsourcing has earned a bad reputation for good reasons: missed deadlines, communication gaps, revolving-door developers, and quality issues. Staff augmentation addresses some of these problems by giving you more control, but it shifts all management burden to your team.
Managed software outsourcing provides the best of both worlds: the cost benefits of offshore talent with the accountability and predictability of an in-house team. You define what needs to be built; we figure out how to deliver it with quality and consistency.
Our pod model is designed around cross-functional teams that can handle complete workstreams independently. A typical feature pod includes 2-4 full-stack engineers, a QA engineer, a tech lead or architect, and a delivery manager who coordinates communication and removes blockers.
Pods are stable—the same team members work with you throughout the engagement, building deep knowledge of your codebase, domain, and business. This stability eliminates the knowledge loss that plagues traditional outsourcing and creates genuine partnership.
While any outsourcing provider can assemble a "team," pods have specific characteristics:
Every managed outsourcing engagement is governed by our SPARK™ delivery framework. SPARK stands for Scope, Plan, Architect, Release, and Keep improving—five phases with built-in quality gates that ensure nothing ships without proper testing, documentation, and review.
This framework brings predictability to software delivery. After a pilot phase, you'll understand exactly what velocity to expect from your pod. Sprint commitments are hit 95% of the time. Quality metrics are tracked and reported transparently.
Not every engineering challenge requires the same team composition. Salt offers specialized pod types optimized for different work:
Each pod type comes with role templates, technology expertise, and delivery patterns optimized for their focus area. You can also combine multiple pods for larger initiatives—for example, a feature pod for product development supported by a platform pod for infrastructure.
Starting a managed outsourcing engagement with Salt follows a proven process designed to minimize risk and maximize value:
The pilot phase is particularly important. It's designed to prove fit and calibrate expectations before you commit to a longer engagement. You'll see our quality, communication, and delivery approach firsthand with real deliverables.
Managed software outsourcing works best for companies that need significant engineering capacity but don't want to build or rapidly expand an in-house team. Common scenarios include:
Companies choose Salt for managed software outsourcing because we solve the problems that make traditional outsourcing fail:
Ready to explore whether managed outsourcing is right for your organization? Start with a free consultation where we'll discuss your challenges, goals, and how our pod model could help.
If there's a fit, we'll propose a pilot engagement—typically 4-6 weeks—that lets you experience our quality and delivery firsthand before committing to a longer partnership. The pilot is designed to be low-risk: you'll get real deliverables while evaluating whether we're the right partner.
Schedule a strategy call with our team to discuss how Salt's managed software outsourcing can help you ship faster, scale confidently, and build better software.