--Lead Node/React developer (onsite 3x a week)

--Long term contract position in Livingston, NJ
--This is a contract-to-hire position. Client is unable to consider anyone in need of work visa transfer/sponsorship-now or in the future. 
--Rate = $80-90/hr (depending if W2 or C2C)
--Local candidates only---this will require an onsite final interview.

Our client is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to join their growing engineering team focused on building scalable, modern applications. Based in Livingston, NJ, this is a hands-on technical leadership role requiring strong expertise in Node.js, JavaScript/TypeScript, React, distributed systems, and cloud-native development. The ideal candidate will contribute throughout the SDLC while helping shape architecture, engineering standards, and development practices.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop scalable backend services and APIs using Node.js and JavaScript/TypeScript, along with modern React applications.
• Architect and build new applications and services with an emphasis on scalability, availability, reliability, and performance.
• Develop and integrate REST, GraphQL, and microservices-based APIs.
• Work across SQL and NoSQL/distributed databases, including performance analysis and optimization.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines, automated deployments, and containerized environments using Docker and tools such as Jenkins.
• Implement application monitoring, logging, alerting, and observability capabilities.
• Troubleshoot production issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Develop automated tests and promote TDD, code quality, maintainability, and modern engineering practices.
• Participate in code reviews, technical design discussions, and architectural decisions.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, QA, and other technical teams throughout the development lifecycle.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to other engineers while communicating technical risks, dependencies, and delivery status to leadership.

• 10+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with Node.js and modern JavaScript/TypeScript.
• Solid React development experience.
• Proven ability to design and develop highly scalable, available, and high-performance applications.
• Strong understanding of APIs, distributed systems, backend architecture, and software design principles.
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases, automated testing, and TDD.
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD, DevOps practices, Docker, and Jenkins or comparable tools.
• Strong troubleshooting and application/database performance optimization skills.
• Ability to provide technical leadership while remaining highly hands-on in a collaborative engineering environment.

• Experience with GraphQL, microservices, cloud-native development, and observability.
• Additional programming experience with Java, Python, Go, or C#.
• Background in DevOps/platform engineering or build engineering.
• Experience establishing architecture and engineering standards for new products.
• Prior experience mentoring engineers or serving in a technical leadership capacity.