iOS/macOS Swift Full-Stack Engineer (Start Up Background, AI)

PTR Global; Cupertino (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

PTR Global is seeking a Swift full-stack engineer to own native iOS and macOS applications built on a shared SwiftUI codebase. The role emphasizes client-side development with backend troubleshooting across APIs and database interactions to optimize the user experience.

We value startup experience and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities, with on-site work in Cupertino Tue–Thu and a hybrid pattern combining three days onsite and two remote.

Qualifications

• Strong Swift and SwiftUI experience.
• Proven experience shipping production iOS applications.
• Deep understanding of native application architecture.
• Experience with PostgreSQL and REST APIs; ability to troubleshoot API behavior.

Responsibilities

• Build and own native iOS and macOS features on a shared SwiftUI codebase.
• Troubleshoot and optimize end-to-end user experiences across APIs and databases.
• Lead multiple initiatives with autonomy in a startup-like environment.
• Collaborate with product teams in Cupertino and maintain rapid iteration cycles.

Skills

Swift

SwiftUI

macOS

Backend development

PostgreSQL

SQL optimization

REST APIs

Client-server architecture

Startup experience

Tools

Go

Java

SQL

Job description

Day 1 onsite Cupertino, CA (Client Prefers local folks)

Hybrid – 3 days onsite and 2 days remote

Long term contract

No mid layer / No Implementation partners are Involved

Mode of Interview: 2 Rounds Virtual Interview Mostly

Most Important

• Strong Swift and SwiftUI experience
• macOS experience (preferred but not required)
• Backend development experience (Go, Java, or similar)
• PostgreSQL and SQL optimization skills
• Strong understanding of client-server architecture
• Startup experience or startup mindset
• Comfort with rapidly changing priorities
• Ability to work on-site in Cupertino Tuesday through Thursday

Team Overview

This team develops native applications for one of the organization's flagship platforms. They operate in a fast-paced, AI-first environment with a startup mentality while working closely with product teams based in Cupertino.

Role Summary

The engineer will own the development and enhancement of native iOS and macOS applications built on a shared SwiftUI codebase. While the primary focus is client-side development, the role also requires enough backend knowledge to troubleshoot and optimize the complete user experience, including APIs and database interactions. The team describes this as a "Swift full-stack" engineer rather than a traditional mobile developer.

Technical Requirements

Swift & Native Development

Required

• Strong Swift and SwiftUI experience
• Proven experience shipping production iOS applications
• Deep understanding of native application architecture

Preferred

• macOS development experience (not required)
• Candidates with strong iOS backgrounds should be able to ramp quickly due to the shared SwiftUI codebase.

The backend is written in Go; however, prior Go experience is not required.

Candidates should have:

• Experience with backend development in Go, Java, or another modern language
• Understanding of REST APIs and backend services
• Ability to troubleshoot API behavior
• Willingness to learn Go as needed

Most backend work consists of straightforward API handlers and database interactions rather than advanced concurrency or distributed systems work.

Database & Performance

Candidates should have practical experience with PostgreSQL and database performance optimization, including:

• Diagnosing whether application latency originates in the UI, API, or database
• Writing and optimizing SQL queriesImproving query performance
• Familiarity with materialized views and schema optimization

The client places significant emphasis on understanding the complete client-server architecture.

Successful candidates should be able to:

• Follow data flow from client through backend to database
• Debug issues across the full technology stack
• Identify the root cause of performance problems

The expectation is not that candidates are senior backend engineers, but that they possess enough backend knowledge to independently troubleshoot and solve end-to-end problems.

The engineering organization is highly AI-driven.

Engineers are expected to actively leverage AI tools throughout development for:

• Troubleshooting

Because AI is heavily integrated into daily development, only a solid foundation in backend concepts is required rather than deep specialization.

Team Composition

Current team consists of approximately two core engineers and expands to four or five engineers as workload increases.

The team operates with a partial follow-the-sun model, but product management and engineering direction remain centered in Cupertino.

Meetings

Required:

• Daily morning stand-up in Cupertino time

Typical:

• Evening handoff meeting when necessary

Daily participation is considered essential due to rapidly changing priorities.

Culture

The environment closely resembles a startup inside a larger organization.

Characteristics include:

• Daily customer feedback influencing priorities
• High ownership with minimal process overhead

Rather than long development cycles, engineers continuously ship incremental improvements based on customer needs.

Nature of the Work

Responsibilities include:

• Building new native features
• Enhancing existing functionality
• Supporting multiple simultaneous initiatives

The team currently supports more than a dozen active projects.

Each engineer owns individual feature areas and operates with significant autonomy. Every engineer is expected to lead their own workstream without requiring constant direction.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Preferred Background

The client strongly prefers candidates with startup experience or a startup mindset.

Previous Client experience is not considered an advantage.

They have consistently found success hiring engineers from startup environments across the country.

What They're Avoiding

Candidates who prefer highly structured environments, including:

• Long sprint cycles
• Clearly defined tickets with minimal collaboration
• Limited interaction outside assigned work

Successful candidates will:

• Thrive in fast-changing environments
• Enjoy close interaction with the business
• Take ownership of outcomes
• Ship meaningful improvements frequently
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Adapt quickly as priorities evolve

Although they avoid using the title "Lead Engineer," every engineer is expected to demonstrate leadership through ownership and accountability.

Location Expectations

This position is based in Cupertino.

The expectation is to work on-site Tuesday through Thursday.

The client believes in-person collaboration:

• Improves communication with product managers
• Reduces unnecessary meetings
• Creates a more enjoyable engineering experience

Pay Range: $65/hr - $70/hr

The specific compensation for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. Our full-time consultants have access to benefits including medical, dental, vision as well as 401K contributions.