Founding Fullstack Engineer

RecSkills; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

RecSkills in New York City is seeking a Founding Fullstack Engineer to help build a core operations platform in a high-ownership, early-stage setting. You will design and implement end-to-end features—from frontend components to backend services—shaping architecture and product direction from day one.

This role is ideal for backend-leaning fullstack builders experienced in workflow-heavy or document-centric products.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience (5+ years at top-tier companies acceptable).
• Strong React frontend experience.
• Strong Node.js backend experience.
• Experience building and scaling document- or workflow-heavy products.
• Startup/VC-backed background with ownership across the stack.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain major product features across frontend (React) and backend (Node.js).
• Own system design and architectural decisions with the founding team.
• Write clean, scalable code and participate in rigorous code reviews.
• Collaborate with users and design partners to iterate on product functionality.
• Design and optimize SQL/Postgres queries and database schema.
• Contribute to DevOps, infrastructure, and integration tooling as needed.

Skills

React

Node.js

Startup/VC exp

Fullstack ownership

FAANG exp

Document-heavy

Education

CS degree or 5+ yrs

Tools

SQL/Postgres

GCP

DevOps tooling

GitHub portfolio

AI/LLM tooling

CTO-track

Job description

Position Title: Founding Fullstack Engineer Location: Strongly Preferred – New York City Position Type: Full-Time (Permanent) Work Policy: In-Office (U.S. only) Start Timeline: ASAP Sponsorship: H1B Transfer Compensation Base Salary: $0 – $200,000 (dependent on experience, interview performance, and level) Equity: Competitive early-stage equity package Role Summary The Founding Fullstack Engineer will help build a core operations platform in a high-ownership, early-stage environment. You will work directly with the founding team to design and implement end-to-end features—from scalable frontend components to backend services—while shaping the architecture and product direction from day one. This role is ideal for backend-leaning fullstack builders experienced in workflow-heavy or document-centric products.

Core Responsibilities

• Build and maintain major product features across frontend (React) and backend (Node.js)
• Own system design and architectural decisions alongside the founding team
• Write clean, scalable code and participate in rigorous code reviews
• Collaborate with users and design partners to iterate on product functionality
• Design and optimize SQL/Postgres queries and database schema
• Contribute to DevOps, infrastructure, and integration tooling as needed

Must-Have Qualifications

• Strong professional experience with React (frontend)
• Strong Node.js or backend development experience
• Experience building and scaling document- or workflow-heavy products (e.g., legaltech, fintech, AI tools)
• B.S. in Computer Science or related field, or 5+ years at top-tier companies
• Proven track record in startup or VC-backed environments
• Ability to own problems across the stack in a fast-paced, early-stage setting
• Experience at FAANG, top-tier tech companies, or growth-stage startups

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong command of SQL/Postgres
• Experience with cloud infrastructure (e.g., GCP) and DevOps workflows
• GitHub portfolio or well-documented side projects (code may be reviewed)
• Background in AI/LLM tooling, agent workflows, or prompt engineering
• Experience as an early hire/founding engineer or interest in growing into a CTO-track role

Candidate Red Flags – Do Not Submit If

• Lacks a CS degree or 5+ years at top-tier companies
• Primarily frontend-only with no backend exposure
• Uncomfortable with long hours or high-intensity early-stage work
• History of frequent job-hopping due to performance concerns
• Only worked at non-top-tier companies/startups or non-technology industries