Software Engineer

Company: TapTipLocation: Remote / ZambiaPosition Type: Founding Team / Full-Time or Contract-to-Full-TimeIndustry: Fintech · Payments · Mobile TechnologyBuild the Technology Behind the Future of Digital TippingTapTip is a fintech platform being built to make digital tipping simple, fast, and accessible, particularly across tourism and service industries in developing markets.Our mission is to bridge the gap between international visitors and local service workers by providing a fast, secure, and accessible way to give and receive digital tips.Customers should be able to tip using familiar payment methods such as cards, Apple Pay, QR codes, and other digital payment options, while workers have a simple way to receive, track, and withdraw their earnings.We are looking for a Founding Software Engineer & Lead App Developer to become one of the main technical builders behind TapTip.This is not a position where you will simply receive small development tickets.We are looking for someone who can take ownership of the product, understand the overall vision, make strong technical decisions, solve problems independently, and work directly with the founders to build TapTip into a secure and reliable fintech platform.What You'll BuildYou will help develop, improve, and maintain the core TapTip ecosystem, including:TapTip mobile applicationsTapTip web applicationsUser registration and authenticationCustomer tipping and checkout flowsQR-code-based tippingCard payment integrationsApple Pay and digital wallet integrationsMobile money payout integrationsUser balancesTransaction historyWorker payout systemsKYC and identity verification systemsAdministrative dashboardsCompliance toolsNotifications and email systemsPDF transaction statements and exportsSecure backend infrastructurePayment reconciliationTransaction monitoring and trackingAPIsWebhooksThird-party financial integrationsInternal developer and administrative toolsAs TapTip grows, you will also help design new products and technical infrastructure for expansion into additional markets.What We're Looking ForWe want someone who can actually build, not someone who only knows how to manage developers or generate code without understanding it.You should be comfortable working across different parts of a product and figuring things out when there is not already a detailed technical playbook.We need someone who can take an idea, understand the requirements, determine how it should be built, implement it, test it, fix problems, and help move it into production.Frontend ExperienceStrong candidates should have experience with technologies such as:ReactNext.jsTypeScriptJavaScriptHTMLCSSModern responsive UI developmentBackend ExperienceExperience with:Node.jsREST APIsFirebaseFirestoreCloud Functions or similar serverless infrastructureAuthentication systemsAuthorization and permissionsDatabase architectureAPI integrationsWebhooksMobile DevelopmentExperience with one or more of the following is highly valuable:React NativeFlutterNative iOS developmentNative Android developmentCross-platform mobile developmentApp Store deploymentGoogle Play deploymentPayments & FintechExperience with fintech is highly valuable, including:Payment gateway integrationsCard paymentsDigital walletsMobile moneyREST APIs and webhooksTransaction processingWallet or balance systemsPayment reconciliationPayout systemsKYC integrationsIdentity verificationFraud preventionFinancial transaction securityPrevious fintech experience is preferred but not mandatory if you are a strong developer who can learn quickly.Equipment, Internet & Remote Work RequirementsBecause this is a remote development role, applicants must have reliable equipment, reliable internet access, and consistent availability.You must have your own computer or laptop capable of professional software development.When applying, you must provide the specifications of the computer you plan to use for TapTip development, including:Laptop or desktop modelOperating systemProcessor / CPURAMStorage capacityAvailable storage space, if knownGraphics hardware, if relevantAny other information you believe is relevant to your development setupApplicants should also explain their internet situation.Please include:Whether you have regular access to Wi-FiWhether the internet connection is available where you normally workYour approximate internet speed, if knownHow reliable your connection isWhether you frequently experience outages or disconnectionsWhether you have a backup internet option such as mobile data or a hotspotWhether your internet connection can reliably support video calls, screen sharing, file uploads, development tools, GitHub, and online collaborationA screenshot of a recent internet speed test may be requested during the application process.Consistent Availability Is ImportantWe are looking for someone who is consistently available and responsive.TapTip is an active startup project, and there will be times when updates, fixes, changes, testing, or technical discussions need to happen quickly.The person in this role should be able to:Make changes to the application on a consistent basisRespond to development issues within reasonable working hoursJoin scheduled online work sessionsParticipate in video calls with the foundersScreen share while working through technical issuesReview features together with the teamMake adjustments based on live feedbackTroubleshoot issues collaborativelyCommunicate progress regularlyBe available for planned development sessions each weekInform the team in advance when they will be unavailableWe do not expect someone to be online 24/7.However, we do want a developer who treats TapTip as a serious responsibility and has enough consistency in their schedule to work closely with us.Online Work SessionsSome development sessions may be conducted through online calls where we work through parts of the TapTip application together.These sessions may involve:Reviewing the current applicationScreen sharingDebugging togetherDiscussing new featuresTesting updatesReviewing UI changesPlanning technical architectureReviewing Claude or ChatGPT-assisted developmentImplementing changes during the callChecking GitHub commits and codeDiscussing priorities for the next development sessionYou should therefore be comfortable communicating over video or voice calls and sharing your screen when necessary.AI Development Tools ProvidedTapTip will provide access to Claude and ChatGPT Plus for development work.We expect our developer to understand how to use modern AI development tools effectively.These tools may be used to assist with:Writing codeReviewing codeDebuggingUnderstanding unfamiliar codebasesApplication architecturePlanning featuresGenerating testsReviewing potential security issuesAPI integrationsDocumentationRefactoringTroubleshootingResearching technical approachesIncreasing overall development speedHowever, AI should be used as an engineering tool, not as a substitute for understanding software development.You must be capable of reviewing, testing, debugging, understanding, and taking responsibility for any code produced with AI assistance.We are not looking for someone who simply copies and pastes AI-generated code without understanding what it does.Company AI Usage PolicyClaude and ChatGPT Plus access provided by TapTip is strictly for TapTip-related work.Company-provided accounts, subscriptions, usage limits, and resources may not be used for:Personal projectsFreelance projectsSchool assignmentsWork for another companyPersonal research unrelated to TapTipPersonal entertainmentUnrelated AI experimentationWe want company-provided AI usage limits dedicated to TapTip so that we can maximize the amount of development work completed using the available resources.Developers should understand how to use AI efficiently and avoid unnecessarily wasting context windows, message limits, or usage capacity.Knowing how to properly structure prompts, provide useful context, review generated code, and efficiently work with AI development tools will be considered part of the role.You'll Be a Strong Fit If YouYou may be a strong fit for TapTip if you:Can independently take a feature from an idea to productionUnderstand frontend and backend developmentHave strong problem-solving skillsWrite clean and maintainable codeUnderstand software architectureCan debug your own workCan work independentlyCan communicate clearlyHave reliable access to a development computerHave stable internet accessCan consistently attend scheduled online work sessionsCan communicate progress regularlyUnderstand the importance of security in fintechAre comfortable integrating external APIsUnderstand authentication and permissionsCan work with databasesKnow how to use Git and GitHubKnow how to use AI coding tools productivelyCan verify and understand AI-generated codeAre willing to learn unfamiliar technologiesCan research technical problems independentlyTake responsibility for the quality of your workAre interested in building a startup from an early stageAre comfortable working directly with foundersWant significant responsibility rather than only being assigned small tasksYour Role at TapTipYou will work directly with TapTip's founders and play a major role in technical decisions.Initially, you may be one of the primary engineers responsible for the TapTip application, meaning you will have significant influence over how the product is structured and developed.This position may eventually grow into responsibility for:Leading additional engineersReviewing codeManaging technical architectureManaging application releasesDeveloping engineering standardsBuilding TapTip's engineering teamHelping interview future developersManaging development workflowsImproving security and reliabilityHelping determine infrastructure strategySupporting expansion into additional countriesSupporting new payment providersHelping develop future TapTip productsWe are looking for someone interested in growing with the company, not simply completing a short development project.What Matters More Than CredentialsA computer science, software engineering, or related degree is welcome, but it is not required.We care more about what you can actually build.A strong:GitHub profilePortfolioMobile applicationWeb applicationStartup projectFintech projectPayment integrationOpen-source contributionPersonal software projectcan be more valuable to us than formal credentials alone.If you can demonstrate that you understand software engineering and can build reliable products, we want to hear from you.Extra ConsiderationYou will receive extra consideration if you have previously built or contributed to:Payment platformsDigital walletsBanking applicationsFintech productsRemittance applicationsMobile money systemsMarketplacesPayment gatewaysSubscription platformsFinancial dashboardsKYC systemsIdentity verification systemsTransaction monitoring systemsIf you have built something relevant, show us.We want to see what you can actually build.How to ApplySend your application to:taptipzambia@outlook.comEmail SubjectApplication – Founding Software Engineer & Lead App Developer – [Your Name]Please IncludeYour application should include:Full nameLocationTime zoneGitHub profilePortfolioPrevious projectsTechnologies you're strongest withMobile development experienceFintech or payment integration experienceExperience using Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or other AI development toolsCurrent availabilityDays and times you are normally available to workAvailability for online work sessions and callsExpected compensationA short explanation of why you want to help build TapTipComputer / Laptop InformationPlease also include:Computer or laptop brand and modelOperating systemProcessor / CPURAMStorageAny other relevant specificationsInternet InformationPlease include:Whether you have reliable Wi-Fi accessApproximate internet speed, if knownHow consistent your connection isWhether outages are commonWhether you have backup internet or mobile dataWhether you can reliably participate in video calls and screen-sharing sessionsApplicants may be asked to provide a screenshot of their internet speed test and computer specifications during the selection process.Links to working applications, GitHub repositories, demos, or previous projects are strongly encouraged.Help Build TapTip From the BeginningTapTip is still being built.That means the engineer joining us now will have the opportunity to influence the product from an early stage and become an important part of the company's technical foundation.We need someone who is talented, dependable, available, and ready to build.We're looking for a developer who can become a core technical member of TapTip, work closely with us, and help continuously improve the application as the company grows.Apply to join TapTip and help us build the future of digital tipping.Applications: taptipzambia@outlook.com