Back End Developer

Hey there,

My name is Max and I'm the Founder and CEO of Frontera. Before you click apply, I think there are a couple of things you should know about us so I don't waste your time.

Background:

Frontera was started because I was having trouble finding people who wanted to build cool projects together. What I originally thought was a personal problem turned out to be a massive hurdle for most students working on their startups or passion projects. But it wasn't just finding people that was difficult, it turned out that it was also hard to find the right communities, resources, and encouragement to get started. So a group of us came together to form Frontera to tackle this problem.

Frontera currently is an early-stage startup building a software platform that helps creatives, builders, and founders find other collaborators to start new projects together. Our software tools help builders post whatever idea they want to work on and help find teammates who want to join them. Whether it is an building app, writing a song, making a movie, or starting a YouTube channel, all ideas are encouraged!

Frontera members will build their ideas over 4 weeks through our seasonal "Expeditions" where we hold each builder accountable by having them submit weekly updates about their project. Our members join each Expedition as a cohort with other builders (each working on their own ideas) with weekly livestreams to get help or feedback on their projects. Builders who complete the program get the opportunity to attend our in-person demo day to showcase their projects to their fellow builders.

Frontera's mission is to help remove all the barriers of entry (whether its emotional, social, or technical) that prevents builders from getting an idea off the ground. We want to provide our members with the best tools, resources, community, and programs to help them get any crazy idea built. Frontera's goal is to be the starting point for all the crazy people who are looking to take the first actionable step toward building their most ambitious ideas.

Role Overview:

We are technically looking for a backend engineer, but let me be real here. We are a student startup team that is trying to build a company, so what we really need is someone who is interested in building an actual B2C product that provides an incredible user experience. 

Please keep in mind that YOU WILL NOT BE PAID because no one in our team is (yes myself included) but we're a group of nutcases (we have some crazy talented people in this team) that want to change the world so if you're up for a challenge, want to work with cool people, and have nothing to lose then we would love to talk with you!

We are seeking a Backend Engineering Intern who is passionate about building scalable, efficient, and secure backend systems. This role is perfect for someone who loves designing APIs, managing databases, and optimizing server-side performance. You'll be working closely with the software team to ensure a smooth and efficient development process, integrating backend services seamlessly with the frontend.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and Optimize APIs:
• Design, build, and optimize RESTful APIs using Node.js and Express.
• Ensure efficient data handling and API performance for seamless frontend integration.

• Database & Authentication Management:
• Manage and optimize Firebase Firestore for scalable data storage.
• Implement Firebase Auth for secure user authentication and access control.

• System Architecture & Performance Optimization:
• Build scalable and maintainable backend services for Frontera’s messaging, notifications, and project systems.
• Optimize server-side performance, reduce latency, and improve response times.

• Security & Reliability:
• Implement authentication, authorization, and data protection best practices.
• Ensure real-time data sync and error handling for a robust user experience. 

• Collaborate on System Architecture:
• Work alongside frontend engineers to design efficient, scalable, and secure APIs.

• Debug and Troubleshoot Issues:
• Identify and resolve API errors, database inconsistencies, and performance bottlenecks.
• Optimize backend logic to improve response times and reliability.  

• Contribute to Best Practices:
• Follow and refine backend coding standards, security protocols, and database structuring best practices.
• Implement efficient logging, error handling, and debugging strategies.

• Learn and Grow:
• Stay updated with the latest Node.js, Express, and Firebase advancements.
• Explore scalability, real-time data processing, and cloud-based backend solutions to enhance team contributions.

What We're Looking For:

• Organizational Skills:
• Proven ability to design and manage scalable backend architectures.
• Strong attention to detail with efficient time management in development cycles..

• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:
• Passion for optimizing API performance and database efficiency.
• Innovative approach to building secure, reliable, and scalable backend systems.

• Technical Proficiency:
• Proficiency in Node.js, Express, and Firebase (Firestore, Firebase Auth).
• Experience with RESTful API development, authentication, and data management.
• Bonus: Familiarity with real-time databases, WebSockets, or cloud functions.

Time Commitment:

• Flexible Hours: Estimated workload of 14-20 hours per week.
• Remote Work: Participate in weekly virtual meetings to align with team goals.

Communication:

• Our team communicates and hosts meetings on Discord. Learn how to turn on your notifications, and how pings work. 
• We organize our tasks through Notion and Google Drive
• Our team is all over the country so we do everything remotely. Please check your messages at least every 12 hours. 

Frontera is a student startup fueled by passion, creativity, and Redbull. If you’re excited about building a new type of product focused on connecting builders with projects and teams they like, then we would love to talk more with you. Please take a moment to think about what you're getting into before you click apply. Otherwise, thanks for reading!