Senior full-stack developer
2.1 Core role
A senior full-stack person with clear backend strength who can independently deliver everything from data model to deployment, plus enough frontend know-how to take over, integrate, and continue building vibe-coded React frontends. Ideally, the person has already worked in an entrepreneurial environment (startup, own project, founder experience, or similar) and can show real product ownership, not just coding experience — i.e. they've helped own decisions on prioritization, scope, and trade-offs, not just executed tickets.
Alternative: a small team (2 people) with the same competencies split across Lead/Backend+Infra (senior) and Frontend/Editor (mid–senior).
2.2 Skill Matrix
Area
Priority
Example tech
Backend/API
★★★ Required
Node.js, TypeScript, Express, Prisma, PostgreSQL, Redis
Infrastructure/DevOps
★★★ Required
Docker Compose, DigitalOcean, Caddy, GitHub Actions
Multi-tenancy/security
★★★ Required
Row-level security, auth (JWT/cookie), audit trail, GDPR
Frontend (production-ready)
★★☆ Important
React, TypeScript, Vite, Tailwind, Radix UI, React Hook Form, Zod
PDF generation
★★☆ Important
Python/FastAPI, WeasyPrint (or alternative)
AI/LLM integration
★★☆ Important
LLM API integration, review workflows
Real estate domain
★☆☆ Plus
ImmoWertV, valuation methods
2.3 Must-have criteria in detail
- Backend:js/TypeScript, Express, Prisma + PostgreSQL, Redis, clean API design, auth (JWT/cookie), multi-tenancy/row-level security.
- Infrastructure/DevOps (independent): Docker Compose, DigitalOcean/Linux, Caddy, GitHub Actions CI/CD, monitoring (Sentry/PostHog).
- Frontend (production-ready): React/TypeScript/Vite/Tailwind/Radix — able to take vibe-coded UI, refactor, and integrate it.
- Quality/way of working: test-driven (Vitest/Playwright), versioned calculation services, GDPR awareness, self-directed, comfortable with startup pace.
- Language: English (required), German a plus.
2.4 Nice to have
- Python/FastAPI + WeasyPrint (PDF service), or willingness to get up to speed.
- Domain knowledge in real estate / finance / document generation.
- Experience integrating AI/LLMs (text generation with a review workflow).
2.5 Soft skills / way of working
- Self-directed, comfortable with startup pace and iterative coordination with an internal Product Manager.
- Willing to work in a deliberately small team (the client explicitly prefers a few strong people over a large group).
3. Project Tech Stack (reference for screening conversations)
Frontend: React · TypeScript · Vite · Tailwind CSS · Radix UI · React Router · TanStack Query/Table · React Hook Form · Zod · Mapbox GL
Backend: Node.js · TypeScript · Express · Prisma + PostgreSQL · Redis · JWT/cookie auth · Postmark · Stripe · HubSpot · Twilio · Google APIs · Sentry · PostHog · S3-compatible object storage (DigitalOcean Spaces)
PDF/invoice service: Python · FastAPI · WeasyPrint
Infrastructure: Docker Compose · DigitalOcean (Ubuntu) · Caddy · GitHub Actions (CI/CD)
Testing & tooling: Vitest · Playwright · ESLint · Prettier · Prisma migrations · shared Zod schema generation
This is the client’s binding baseline stack — sensible additions from candidates are welcome, larger deviations are not preferred.