Lead App Developer React Native

About Afterlight

Afterlight is the premier application for booking and experiencing the best of global nightlife. We are a well-funded, VC-backed startup founded by a team of successful entrepreneurs with a track record of building and scaling multiple 8-figure tech companies. From exclusive VIP tables at top-tier clubs to tickets for sold-out events, our platform connects a discerning clientele with unforgettable experiences in cities like Marbella, Ibiza, and beyond. We are transitioning from an agency model to building our first dedicated in-house technology team, and we’re looking for a technical leader to drive our mobile product to the next level.

The Opportunity

This is not just another developer role. You will be a founding member of our in-house engineering team, with a competitive salary and stock option package that gives you true ownership in our success. You will have complete ownership of the Afterlight mobile application, with the autonomy to define its architecture, establish best practices, and solve the critical technical challenges that will unlock our next phase of growth.

Your first mission will be to take control of our React Native codebase, diagnose and resolve a key native build issue, and successfully implement our marketing and attribution stack (Branch, Segment). Success in this role means having a direct, immediate, and massive impact on the business.

What You'll Do

• Take full ownership of the Afterlight React Native application, from architecture to deployment.
• Immediately diagnose and resolve a critical iOS build failure on EAS Build related to a native SDK integration.
• Lead the technical integration of complex third-party native SDKs, including Branch.io (for deep linking and attribution) and Segment.
• Architect and implement a robust system for push notifications.
• Build, test, and ship new, high-quality features in a fast-paced environment.
• Establish and champion best practices for code quality, testing, and performance.
• Collaborate directly with the backend developer and UI/UX designer to create a seamless and beautiful user experience.
• Act as the technical mentor and future leader of the mobile development team as it grows.

What We're Looking For (The Must-Have)

• This is a senior role for a specialist. We are looking for proven experience, not just theoretical knowledge.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience, with a significant focus on mobile.
• Deep, demonstrable expertise in the modern Expo ecosystem. You must be an expert in EAS Build and have hands-on experience creating and working with custom Development Builds.
• Proven experience debugging native build failures. You must be able to confidently read EAS Build logs, identify the root cause of issues, and speak fluently about resolving CocoaPods dependency conflicts.
• A strong track record of successfully integrating complex native modules into React Native / Expo apps (e.g., attribution SDKs, payment gateways, analytics tools).
• Mastery of React Native, JavaScript, and TypeScript.
• A strong understanding of mobile application architecture and state management patterns (e.g., Redux, Zustand).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently to overcome technical challenges.
• Fluent in English, with strong communication skills.

Bonus Points

• Experience with our specific stack: Segment, Branch.io, Supabase, PostgreSQL.
• Experience building consumer-facing apps with a focus on high-quality UI/UX.
• Previous experience as a tech lead or a founding engineer.

Why Join Afterlight?

• Founding Team Impact & Ownership: Be one of the first in-house engineers and shape the future of our technology and culture from the ground up. Your work will be critical, and you'll have a real stake in our success with a generous stock option plan.
• Full Autonomy: You will have the autonomy and responsibility to make key technical decisions that directly impact the success of the business.
• Solve Interesting Challenges: Work on a premium, consumer-facing product with complex and engaging technical problems.
• Competitive Compensation: 60,000€ yearly approx.
• Growth: This is a leadership role with a clear path to managing a larger mobile team as the company scales.

If you are a senior mobile developer who thrives on technical challenges and wants to take ownership of a high-growth product, we encourage you to apply.