Frontend Engineer (React Native / Expo)

Job description We are looking for a Frontend Developer to support the development and refinement of our mobile application on a paid, remote, independent contractor (1099) basis. This is a part-time, flexible, project-based role, working closely with the founder and product team to build, maintain, and improve a production-level React Native application across iOS and Android. This role is initially offered on a contract basis, with the potential for longer-term collaboration or conversion to a full-time role depending on performance, mutual fit, and business needs. What You’ll Be Working On / Responsibilities • Building and maintaining a cross-platform mobile application using React Native and Expo • Implementing frontend features based on existing designs and product requirements • Debugging and testing on real iOS and Android devices • Improving performance, reliability, and UI consistency across platforms • Collaborating with backend systems via GraphQL APIs • Refactoring and improving existing code while preserving functionality • Supporting ongoing product iterations toward MVP and post-MVP improvements Must-have Requirements React Native • Strong experience with React Native • Building and maintaining cross-platform iOS and Android applications • Hands-on experience testing and debugging on real devices (not emulator-only) Expo • Experience with Expo • Familiarity with Expo Router for file-based routing • Experience with Expo EAS Build and OTA updates • Understanding of Expo limitations and native module constraints GraphQL • Experience with GraphQL APIs and codegen • Understanding of queries, mutations, and subscriptions • Caching, pagination, and refetch strategies React Query (TanStack Query) • Server state management, caching, and synchronization • Query invalidation, optimistic updates, pagination, infinite scroll • Understanding when to use server state vs client state TypeScript • Strict mode, no any, no casting to bypass type errors • Proper typing for props, state, and API responses • Generic types, discriminated unions, and utility types React Patterns • Component composition over prop drilling • Custom hooks for logic extraction • Performance optimization (memo, useMemo, useCallback, and when NOT to use them) • Understanding React’s rendering behavior State Management • Local state with React Context or Zustand • Form state with React Hook Form • MMKV for fast local storage UI Implementation • Ability to implement pixel-accurate UIs from Figma • Experience with Reanimated for animations • FlashList for performant lists • Understanding of iOS vs Android platform differences Async & Error Handling • Handling loading, error, and empty states • Network edge cases and offline behavior • Retry strategies and error boundaries Code Quality • Clear code structure (avoiding prop drilling, proper separation of concerns) • Consistent naming conventions and file organization • Refactoring existing codebases without breaking functionality Firebase • Firebase Cloud Messaging / push notifications • App versioning and distribution (App Distribution, Crashlytics) Nice-to-have (Plus) • Sendbird or similar chat SDK integration • Experience with payment SDKs like Stripe • Comfortable navigating third-party SDKs and documentation Working Style & Compensation • Fully remote • Flexible, part-time schedule • Deliverable and milestone-driven work • Paid role (hourly or project-based) • Independent contractor (1099) Pay: Up to $2,000.00 per month Work Location: Remote Apply tot his job