Software Developer / Swift UI, Next.js, DevOps
Founding Engineer & Technical Reviewer
Nexus — Phoenix, AZ (Remote-friendly) · Equity/hourly/flat fee compensation · Flexible / Part-time
About the Role
We're an early-stage startup with a near fully built product — a native iOS app (SwiftUI) and a full web application (Next.js / React), both running on a shared Firebase backend, with roughly 35,000 lines of production code across the two platforms.
The product already exists and works. What we need now is an experienced technical eye to review what's been built, find the weak spots, and help strengthen the foundation before we scale. (Full product details will be shared with serious candidates after an initial conversation and a mutual NDA.)
This is a hands-on, principles-first role. You won't be handed a detailed spec — you'll be trusted to look at a real, working codebase and tell us what a seasoned engineer would change. We value judgment and fundamentals over buzzwords.
What You'll Do
Review the iOS (SwiftUI) and web (Next.js / React) codebases for quality, maintainability, and consistency
Audit our Firebase architecture and Firestore security rules for vulnerabilities and data-access flaws
Evaluate cross-platform compatibility, ensuring both clients behave consistently against a shared backend
Assess scalability, performance, and cost as usage grows
Identify technical debt and help prioritize what actually matters before scaling
Advise on best practices for security, authentication, and data integrity
Provide clear, actionable feedback the team can act on
What We're Looking For
Someone looking to build a startup from the ground up
Experience with mobile development (Swift / SwiftUI ideal) and/or modern web (React / Next.js / TypeScript)
Working knowledge of Firebase, Firestore, or comparable backend-as-a-service / NoSQL systems
A solid understanding of application security: authentication, access control, data validation, and common vulnerabilities
The ability to look at an unfamiliar codebase and quickly assess its health
Self-direction — you can spot what needs attention without being told where to look
Nice to Have
Experience taking a product from early stage through to scale
Background in security auditing or formal code review
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and cloud hosting
Compensation
This position is for someone looking to be on the ground level of a startup, you will receive some compensation in the form of flat fee/equity/hourly depending on your level of involvement and expertise. Because the product is already built, you'd be joining to strengthen and help scale an existing foundation — not to build from zero.
This opportunity is best suited to someone who wants to be part of something early, build their track record with a real shipped product, or is excited by the challenge — not someone who needs immediate income.
How to Apply
Please submit all of the following:
Your resume
A cover letter — tell us what draws you to an early-stage technical role and what you'd bring to it
Examples of past projects you've built or contributed to — links to live apps, GitHub repositories, case studies, or a portfolio
Applications missing any of these three items will not be considered. We want to see how you think and what you've actually shipped.
Pay: $40.00 - $150.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Phoenix, AZ 85281