Lead the engineering effort for a seed-stage dating app: audit and improve the existing codebase, design and build v2 (mobile and backend), implement real-time features, define engineering standards, scale infrastructure on AWS, and, after fundraising, hire and mentor a small team while shaping the technical roadmap.
About Mackinaw Dating Company
Mackinaw is on a mission to help people find meaningful connections and try to clean up the mess that Tinder created. An MVP was launched in April 2026 exclusively in Denver. The reaction so far is positive, but small. If you are passionate about helping people find connections and combat the loneliness epidemic, and you’re looking for a challenging project, and you like the idea of getting in on the ground floor of a startup company, this could be the right adventure for you.
The app is currently a self-funded bootstrapped solo project (with assistance of contract workers) that is in the early stages of seeking seed funding. I’m looking to build a “dream team” to present to investors and show them we’re excited about solving this problem and ready to take this app to the next level.
- Location: Denver, CO
- Reports to: Founder / CEO
- Employment type: Full-time (or part-time to full time)
- Compensation: Equity now, salary later
The Job (Before Fundraising)
- Get your hands on the existing code and tech stack. Familiarize yourself with everything and look for easy wins and opportunities to improve the app.
- Are we using the right tech stack? Would you recommend something better?
- Work with the founder to map out the 2.0 version of the app.
- Establish your minimum required budget to do what you need to do succssfully that I can take to investors.
- Bring your insights and experience to the table to support the founder’s vision.
The Job (After Fundraising)
- Build out the 2.0 version of the app.
- If we can secure enough funding, lead and mentor a small team of your own.
- Helping scale our systems and infrastructure as our user base grows.
- Setting engineering standards, best practices, and the technical culture.
- Shaping the long-term technical roadmap as a founding member of the team.
Things That Will Help Your Application Stand Out
- You've spent 8+ years building and shipping things end-to-end.
- You get genuinely excited about a hard problem and don't need someone to hand you the answer.
- The idea of building a product that helps people connect makes you want to roll up your sleeves.
Tech Stack Experience Requried
- Solid experience with Flutter (iOS and Android).
- Experience with Clean Architecture and the BLoC pattern will be needed!
- Strong experience with NestJS and proficiency in MongoDB.
- Comfortable with AWS Services (EC2, S3, SES, etc.).
- Experience implementing WebSockets for real-time features.
Things That Will Help Your Personality Standout
- You think outside the box. You think people who think inside the box are dull and boring.
- Has used dating apps and hates them. Might even go so far as to say they have a personal vendetta against them.
- An excellent coach. Wants to help foster the next generation of talent. If you’re going to stick around for the long run, I don’t want you to just manage people, I want you to take them under your wing and teach them how to be excellent at their chosen career path.
- Is comfortable telling a leader, “no” and “here’s a much better idea, dummy.”
Work Environment
- Fully remote at start, with occasional coffee shop meet ups.
- Hybrid once we can afford a coworking space. An ideal vision of the future would look something like: Monday/Tuesday are mandatory for coming into the office to meet and collaborate and assign work, then you can work wherever you want whenever you want.
Compensation & Benefits
- I’m offering equity only at this time.
- Once we’re funded (aiming for the end of the calendar year) you’ll get a salary.
- Salary will depend on funding, so I can’t guarantee a specific starting salary today.
- Benefits will also depend on funding.
Risks & Red Flags to Know 🚩
- I (Nick Thomas, founder) have never started a company before and know nothing about app development.
- While I have a rough roadmap of where I want to go for the next several years, I am counting on you to be a self-starter and tell me where you think the company should go.
- You will need to be providing your own equipment until we’re funded.
How to Apply
- Spare me your AI-generated resume and cover letter. I’m sure the AI resume reviewers love it. Instead, please fill out the Google form linked to here (above? below? I don't have a preview button) with basic demographic information and 5 open-ended questions for me to get to know you better.
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