Lead Software Engineer (Node.js | React | TypeScript)

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Lead Software Engineer (Node.js | React | TypeScript) based in South Africa.

This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for an experienced engineer who enjoys owning features from concept through <delivery.You>’ll work across both frontend and backend development, building scalable and high-quality web applications.The role combines hands-on engineering with architectural problem-solving, performance optimisation, testing, and API <design.You>’ll collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineering teams to turn ideas into seamless user experiences.Modern development practices, strong engineering standards, CI/CD, and thoughtful code reviews are central to the <environment.You>’ll also have the opportunity to use AI-powered development tools to improve productivity and accelerate your workflow.This is a fully remote, full-time position working within a 9 AM–5 PM Melbourne-time schedule.

Accountabilities

• Develop, test, maintain, and continuously improve high-quality web applications using Node.js, TypeScript, and React 18+.
• Take ownership of end-to-end features, from technical design and implementation through testing, deployment, and ongoing optimisation.
• Design, build, and maintain scalable RESTful APIs and integrate applications with external systems and services.
• Create responsive, accessible, and performant user interfaces using React, Tailwind CSS, and TanStack Query.
• Implement secure authentication and authorisation solutions using OAuth, OIDC, and session-based mechanisms.
• Maintain high engineering standards through automated testing with Vitest or Jest, code reviews, and reliable development practices.
• Write efficient SQL queries and optimise interactions with relational databases to support application performance and scalability.
• Use Git effectively for source control, branching strategies, collaboration, and code review workflows.
• Leverage AI-powered coding assistants such as Claude Code and GitHub Copilot to improve development efficiency while maintaining code quality.
• Work confidently within Linux-based development and deployment environments.
• Collaborate with designers, product managers, and other engineers to deliver well-designed, reliable, and user-focused features.
• Contribute to architectural decisions, debugging, technical improvements, and performance optimisation across the application stack.

Requirements

• 8–10+ years of professional software engineering experience, with strong hands-on experience across modern frontend and backend development.
• Advanced proficiency with Node.js and TypeScript.
• Strong experience with React 18+ and modern React development patterns.
• Solid understanding of automated testing, with experience using Vitest, Jest, or comparable frameworks.
• Strong SQL skills and a good understanding of relational database concepts.
• Practical experience with Tailwind CSS and TanStack Query.
• Strong knowledge of authentication and authorisation mechanisms, particularly OAuth, OIDC, and session-based authentication.
• Proven experience designing and consuming APIs, including integrations with external services.
• Comfortable working with Linux command-line tools in development and deployment environments.
• Strong Git skills and experience working with collaborative branching and code review workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively incorporate AI-powered development tools into the software engineering workflow.
• Strong problem-solving, debugging, optimisation, and architectural thinking skills.
• A collaborative mindset, strong ownership, and a commitment to writing clean, maintainable, well-tested code.
• Highly desirable: experience with Bun and Hono.
• Highly desirable: familiarity with AWS CDK and infrastructure-as-code practices.
• Highly desirable: knowledge of PostgreSQL and Drizzle ORM.
• Highly desirable: hands-on experience with Docker and container-based development.
• Highly desirable: experience with container-based testing tools such as Testcontainers.
• Highly desirable: experience working in monorepo-based development environments.
• Familiarity with VS Code and productivity-enhancing extensions is a plus.

Benefits

• Fully remote working arrangement.
• Full-time employment.
• Opportunity to work on modern web applications using a contemporary technology stack.
• Strong focus on engineering quality, testing, maintainability, and continuous improvement.
• Opportunity to use and explore AI-powered development tools as part of your everyday engineering workflow.
• Collaborative environment with close interaction across engineering, product, and design.
• Scope to influence technical decisions, architecture, and development practices.
• Melbourne-time working schedule: 9 AM–5 PM.
• Location flexibility for candidates based in Poland.