Senior Backend Engineer – Node.js / NestJS / TypeScript

IMPORTANT: please have candidates answer the screening questions below.  Thank you!

Company: Media Company

Title: Senior Backend Engineer – Node.js / NestJS / TypeScript

Duration: 6 -12 + months, potential extension or conversion

Start Date: ASAP

Rate: $60/hr on W2

Location: Onsite 4-5 days week in Fort Lauderdale - Open to relocation

USC

Job Description: Below

Role Overview

Seeking a highly skilled Full Stack Engineer with a strong backend focus to design, develop, and scale enterprise applications. This role requires someone who is hands-on with development while also taking ownership of system architecture and technical design. The ideal candidate is a backend-heavy engineer with solid React experience and an architect's mindset.

Required Technical Skills

·         Node.js: Advanced backend development experience building scalable, production-grade applications.

·         NestJS: Strongly preferred framework for developing structured, maintainable backend services.

·         TypeScript: Strong proficiency developing backend applications.

·         React: Hands-on frontend development experience building and maintaining user interfaces.

·         System Architecture: Strong understanding of software architecture, scalability, and designing complex systems.

·         Design Patterns: Deep knowledge of software engineering principles, architectural patterns, and clean, maintainable code.

Key Responsibilities

·         Design, develop, and maintain full-stack applications with a primary focus on backend engineering.

·         Own backend architecture, technical design, and development decisions.

·         Build scalable, maintainable applications using Node.js, TypeScript, NestJS, and React.

·         Apply software design patterns and architectural best practices.

·         Collaborate with technical leadership and business stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.

Ideal Candidate Profile

·         Backend-first engineer: Strongest expertise is in Node.js/TypeScript, with the ability to contribute to React development.

·         Architect mindset: Understands system design, scalability, and how technical decisions affect the broader application.

·         Hands-on ownership: Can architect solutions and personally build and maintain the codebase.

·         Business acumen: Understands how technology supports business goals and long-term strategy.

·         Strong communication: Comfortable discussing architecture and technical decisions with senior leadership.

Sourcing Priorities

1.       Must Have: Strong Node.js + TypeScript backend development experience.

2.       Strong Preference: Hands-on NestJS experience.

3.       Must Have: React experience with the ability to contribute to frontend development.

4.       Critical: Strong system architecture, software design patterns, and ownership of technical solutions.

5.       Differentiator: Excellent communication, business understanding, and ability to think beyond assigned development tasks.

Target Titles: Senior Full Stack Engineer, Lead Full Stack Developer, Senior Software Engineer, Staff Software Engineer, Principal Software Engineer, Backend-Focused Full Stack Engineer.

TLDR:

Prioritize candidates who are approximately 70–80% backend-oriented and 20–30% frontend-oriented as a sourcing guideline, not a confirmed workload split. Strong Node.js/TypeScript architecture experience should carry more weight than advanced React expertise.

Avoid candidates who are primarily React/frontend developers with only limited backend experience.