Full Stack Developer (Node.js / Next.js / TypeScript)
Contract role - 12 months highly extendable
About the Role
We're building a brand-new product from the ground up, and we need a Full Stack Developer who thrives on 0→1 work — not maintaining or enhancing an existing codebase, but architecting and shipping something new. You'll make foundational technical decisions, set up the initial infrastructure, and build the core product alongside a small, fast-moving team. This is a rare opportunity to shape the technical direction of a product from day one.
What You'll Do
- Design and build the application architecture from scratch using Node.js, Next.js, and TypeScript
- Make and document foundational decisions: folder structure, API design, state management, data modeling, and coding standards
- Build both frontend (Next.js/React) and backend (Node.js API layer) components end-to-end
- Set up the CI/CD pipeline from the ground up — build, test, and deployment automation
- Establish and implement a testing strategy (unit, integration, and/or E2E) and code quality tooling (linting, formatting, type safety) for a new codebase
- Set up cloud infrastructure and deployment environments (staging, production) on AWS or Azure as part of the initial build
- Integrate third-party services and APIs as needed for MVP functionality
- Collaborate directly with product/design to translate requirements into a working product quickly
- Own technical decisions with minimal existing constraints — you're building the foundation others will build on
What We're Looking For
Must-Have:
- Proven experience building products from scratch (0→1) — not just working within established codebases
- End-to-end implementation experience across both frontend and backend — this is a true full stack role, not frontend- or backend-leaning
- Strong hands-on experience with Node.js for backend/API development
- Strong hands-on experience with Next.js for frontend development
- Proficiency in TypeScript across the full stack
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines from scratch (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, CircleCI, Jenkins, or similar) — required, not optional
- Strong testing practice, including unit, integration, and/or end-to-end testing (e.g. Jest, Vitest, React Testing Library, Playwright, Cypress) as a core part of the development workflow, not an afterthought
- Comfortable with cloud deployment on AWS, Azure, or GCP (either is fine)
- Experience with relational or NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, etc.) and schema design
- Strong understanding of REST/GraphQL API design
- Git-based version control workflows
Why This Role Is Different
This is explicitly not an enhancement or maintenance role. You won't be inheriting legacy code, working around existing tech debt, or making incremental changes to someone else's architecture. You'll be:
- Setting up the repo, CI/CD, and dev environment from an empty folder
- Choosing the patterns and conventions the codebase will follow
- Building the MVP with real ownership over technical direction
- Working closely with founders/leads on scope and priorities
What Success Looks Like
- A working, deployed product built on a clean, well-structured Node.js/Next.js/TypeScript codebase
- A functioning CI/CD pipeline enabling fast, safe, repeatable deployments
- Clear documentation of architectural decisions for future team members
- A foundation that can scale as the team and product grow