Part-time iOS Developer (Contract)

About Jove

Jove is building the platform for outdoor creators, brands and local businesses to build and manage their in-person communities - helping people find their social communities IRL through shared outdoor activities, local sports groups, and wellness events. We're an early-stage startup, and this role works directly with the founder to build out the mobile app.

The Role

We're looking for a senior iOS engineer (3-5 years experience) for project-based, part-time work shipping native iOS features for the Jove app. This is a hands-on Swift/iOS role where you'll be writing native code, shipping features end-to-end, and handling App Store submissions. Our broader codebase also includes React Native/TypeScript, so comfort moving between native iOS and React Native is important.

We already have foundational architecture in place (Supabase backend, EAS build pipeline, GitHub org, Render etc so this role is about building on a working base, not standing one up from scratch.

This is a fit for someone with a strong independent track record who can take a scoped brief and run with it with minimal oversight. You will be expected to raise critical backend and security needs for a successful App Store launch (debugging, implementing feedback from Test users)

Compensation: Project-based, fixed rate, max $1,000/ monthly project. Currently unable to offer benefits or employment sponsorship.

Time commitment: ~20 hours/week, project-based (scope and cadence set per project, not a standing weekly commitment)

Reports to: Founder

How to Apply

Send the following to [email protected]:

1. Portfolio of shipped iOS projects
2. A 1-minute video on why you're interested in this sports and community-centric app (submissions with video will be prioritized)
3. Resume

What You'll Do

• Own and ship native iOS features in Swift, from scoped brief to merged PR
• Manage builds and submissions through EAS, including the App Store review process
• Work across the React Native/TypeScript side of the codebase when a feature crosses over (experience working in Visual Studio critical)
• Work within our existing Supabase backend (auth, DB, RLS) and coordinate with backend/API work as needed
• Open a PR for every change (no direct commits to main), with clear write-ups of what changed and why
• Clearly communicate weekly changes in a sprint review format every Friday (including blockers, conditionals)

Must-Have Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of professional experience building native iOS apps in Swift, with a portfolio of shipped, production apps. Bonus if you've built any of your own.
• Proven experience managing EAS builds and the full App Store submission/review process independently
• Strong working comfort with React Native, TypeScript, Claude Code, Visual Studio and able to read, navigate, and contribute to every side of the codebase
• Track record of owning features independently: able to take a scoped brief and deliver with minimal hand-holding
• Clear, proactive communicator - flags blockers or scope questions immediately rather than working in a silo. Proactively sees build requirements that Founder may not have scoped.
• Comfortable working within defined task scope and documenting work clearly, without expanding into unscoped changes
• Experience with backend architecture
• Experience with UI/ UX and industry-standard core user flows and styling

Nice to Have

• Direct experience with Supabase (auth, RLS, edge functions), Render, OneSignal
• Startup, freelance, or founding-engineer experience (not just corporate/team roles)
• Genuine interest in outdoor sports or sports communities - you'd be building the product you'd actually use
• Interest to grow into a more full-time role with Jove in the next ~4 months

How We Work Together

Communication: A short written update every Friday covering what you shipped, what's blocked. Sync cadence (Zoom/async Loom) scoped per project rather than fixed weekly. We use ClickUp and Slack to manage projects and updates.

Workflow: Everything goes through GitHub PRs: no direct commits to main. Every PR is tested and reviewed before merging.

Scope: You'll get a written brief before starting each project, and we work project-by-project. No unscoped changes or restructuring without approval.