Senior Full Stack Developer / Technical lead (Angular, Node.js, Python) - 3 Month Contract

Senior Full-Stack Developer / Technical Lead (Angular, Node.js, Python) | 3 - Month Contract, Long - Term Potential Full-time remote contract | Initial 3 months | Reasonable overlap with Australian business hours About the role: We are a small Australian software and consulting business with an established SaaS application (MVP), with its core functionality already built and in use. We are looking for an experienced Senior Full Stack Developer to act as Technical Lead: working directly with the founder and product lead to maintain, troubleshoot, improve and extend the platform. This is a hands on role for someone who can take over an existing codebase, understand how its components work together and take responsibility for technical quality. For the right person, it can grow into a long term role with increasing technical responsibility. Key responsibilities: • Learn the existing codebase, architecture and technical dependencies across frontend, backend, Python services, database and AWS infrastructure. • Review code contributed by other team members and help set coding standards. • Investigate and resolve bugs, performance issues and technical weaknesses. • Develop, test and implement new features against clear requirements and acceptance criteria. • Improve reliability, security, automated testing and code structure. • Support deployments and releases, following an agreed process. • Keep technical documentation clear and up to date. • Recommend practical improvements and raise risks early. Our technology stack: • Frontend: Angular, TypeScript • Backend: Node.js • Additional services: Python • Database: PostgreSQL • Infrastructure: AWS • Development practices: Git, code reviews, automated testing and CI/CD, which we are actively strengthening Essential requirements: • 4+ years of professional full-stack development, with proven experience maintaining and extending production applications. • Strong commercial experience with Angular, TypeScript and Node.js. • Practical experience with Python and PostgreSQL or similar relational databases. • Experience with AWS and cloud-hosted applications. • Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work confidently in a complex codebase you did not write. • Sound understanding of application security, testing, version control and deployment practices. • Clear written and spoken English. • Availability for a full time engagement with reasonable overlap with Australian business hours. The person we are looking for: Someone who takes ownership of problems and follows them through, works independently in a small team, pays attention to detail, communicates openly with regular progress updates, raises issues early and is interested in a long-term working relationship. Highly desirable: • Experience taking over or modernising an existing SaaS application. • Experience with optimisation, modelling, analytics or data intensive applications. • Responsible use of AI-assisted development tools. What we offer • Initial 3 month, full time remote contract, with a genuine possibility of long term work. • Remuneration negotiated based on experience and capability. • Flexible hours within the overlap window. • Direct communication with the founder and product lead, and quick decisions. • The opportunity to shape the technical future of a growing SaaS product. Confidentiality and intellectual property: The successful applicant will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement and an Intellectual Property Agreement before receiving access to the source code, infrastructure or confidential information. All work produced under the engagement is subject to the IP ownership terms agreed with the contracting business. How to apply: Please start your proposal with the words FLEET FIRST so we know you have read the full ad, and include: 1. A brief introduction to your relevant experience. 2. Examples of applications or SaaS products you have maintained, improved or taken over. 3. Your experience with Angular, Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL and AWS. 4. Your hourly rate in USD and your availability to start. 5. Your CV, GitHub profile or examples of previous work, where available. Please also answer these questions: • Have you previously taken over an application developed by someone else? What challenges did you encounter, and how did you approach them? • If you were given responsibility for an unfamiliar SaaS application, what would your priorities be in the first two weeks? • Describe a bug you fixed in a production application you did not write (ideally Node.js or PostgreSQL). What was the root cause, and how did you confirm your fix worked? Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete a short, paid technical assessment. We welcome applications from experienced developers worldwide, particularly those based in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.