At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a privacy-first mobile app using Flutter and shape its technical direction.
- Company: Join an early-stage startup focused on building trusted digital communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and a chance to influence product development.
- Other info: Work closely with founders and have direct ownership of architectural decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a meaningful product that prioritises user privacy.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in mobile development with strong Flutter and Dart skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Please note: We are not open to contact from recruitment agencies or consultants for this role. We are also only considering UK or European-based developers — please do not apply if you are based outside this region.
About us
Hi, I'm Pete Winter, CTO for the company hiring this role. I'm hiring on behalf of an early-stage startup building infrastructure for member-owned digital communities - trusted, validated online spaces that don't monetise their members' data or attention. We believe the next generation of online communities won't be built on advertising or engagement extraction, but on validated membership, private interaction, and shared governance.
Our first product is a private messaging service for a specific professional community, launching in the UK and expanding internationally. Further details about the company and product will be shared under NDA during the interview process.
The role
You'll be taking over lead control of our mobile codebase from the external development agency that built the initial version. Your first job is to get under the hood - analyse what's there, identify what's solid and what needs rework, and set the technical direction from here on. From there, you'll work with the CTO to lead the architecture and ongoing development of our flagship mobile app - and set the technical foundations for every product that follows on our infrastructure. You'll own the mobile codebase end-to-end, work directly with the founders on product decisions, and shape how a privacy-first messaging product gets built on Flutter. You'll be working on a product where trust is the entire proposition. Identity validation, private messaging, member data sovereignty, and a credentialed user base mean the technical bar is high and the stakes are real.
Location
This role is fully remote, and we're looking for a UK / European-based developer.
What you'll do
- Take over the existing Flutter codebase from our development agency, audit its architecture, code quality, and technical debt, and produce a clear plan for what to keep, refactor, or rebuild.
- Lead all subsequent architecture and delivery of the mobile app on Flutter, targeting iOS and Android from a single codebase.
- Make the core technical decisions on state management, real-time messaging, offline behaviour, and the encryption/privacy stack.
- Continue to build on our integration with our backend services, which are managed through a Python/Django administration system, for identity validation, registration, and messaging.
- Integrate third-party APIs and AI/LLM models to enrich and improve our database and member experience.
- Establish engineering practices — CI/CD, testing, release processes, code review — that will scale as the team grows.
- Partner closely with the CTO, founders, designers, and backend team on product and infrastructure decisions.
- Lay the groundwork for a multi-product architecture where the first app is one of several to be built on shared infrastructure.
What we're looking for
- 6+ years building production mobile applications, with at least 3 years shipping Flutter apps to the App Store and Google Play.
- Strong Dart fundamentals and deep familiarity with Flutter's rendering, animation, and platform channel layers.
- Demonstrable experience inheriting and improving existing codebases — auditing, refactoring, and bringing engineering standards up without rewriting from scratch unnecessarily.
- Solid grasp of mobile security, secure storage, and at least working knowledge of end-to-end encryption patterns.
- Experience integrating real-time messaging (WebSockets, push notifications, background sync).
- Experience consuming REST and/or GraphQL APIs from a Python/Django backend.
- Strong understanding of working with third-party APIs, and practical experience integrating AI/LLM models (OpenAI, Anthropic, or similar) into production applications.
- Comfort owning a codebase end-to-end, including testing, CI/CD, and release management.
- Native iOS or Android experience is a strong plus — you'll occasionally need to drop into platform code.
- Excellent written communication.
- Available to commit to the role full-time.
What we offer
- Competitive salary, benchmarked to your location.
- A great opportunity to join a company at an early stage, with big plans for future development both in the UK and globally.
- A genuinely meaningful product with real users who need it.
- Direct ownership of architectural decisions, not implementing someone else's spec.
Lead Flutter Developer (Remote, Full-time, Early-stage mobile lead) in Leigh employer: petewinter.com
Join an innovative early-stage startup that prioritises privacy and trust in digital communities. As a Lead Flutter Developer, you'll enjoy a fully remote role with the flexibility to work from anywhere in the UK or Europe, while contributing to a meaningful product that empowers users. With competitive salaries, direct ownership of architectural decisions, and opportunities for growth as the company expands, this is an exciting chance to shape the future of member-owned online spaces.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Flutter Developer (Remote, Full-time, Early-stage mobile lead) in Leigh
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its mission inside out. When you’re chatting with Pete or the team, show that you’re genuinely interested in building a privacy-first messaging service. This will help you stand out and demonstrate that you’re aligned with their values.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your past experiences with Flutter and mobile app development. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved existing codebases and tackled technical challenges. This will show that you can hit the ground running and take ownership of the mobile codebase.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from asking questions during the interview. Inquire about their current tech stack, the challenges they face, and how they envision the future of their product. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the team. Let’s make this happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Flutter Developer (Remote, Full-time, Early-stage mobile lead) in Leigh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Privacy:When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about building a privacy-first messaging product. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating trusted online spaces that respect user data.
Highlight Your Flutter Experience:Make sure to showcase your experience with Flutter and Dart in your application. We’re looking for someone who can take charge of our mobile codebase, so share specific examples of your past projects and what you achieved.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for this role. Remember, we want to understand your skills and experiences quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at petewinter.com
✨Know Your Codebase Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Flutter and Dart. Familiarise yourself with common architectural patterns and best practices in mobile development. Be ready to discuss how you would approach auditing an existing codebase and what specific improvements you would suggest.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of past projects where you inherited a codebase and improved it. Highlight your experience with refactoring and maintaining high engineering standards. This will demonstrate your ability to take control of the mobile codebase and lead its development effectively.
✨Understand Privacy and Security
Given the focus on privacy in this role, brush up on mobile security practices, especially around secure storage and end-to-end encryption. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement these practices in the messaging app and why they are crucial for user trust.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since you'll be working closely with the CTO and founders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to explain technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. Good communication is key to ensuring everyone is aligned on product decisions.
