Part-Time iOS Engineer (Contract Role)

About Jove

Jove is building the platform for IRL social connection through sports and outdoor communities, helping people and local businesses find their communities through shared activities, local groups, and events. We're an early-stage startup, and this role will work directly with the founder to bring the mobile app to life.

The Role

We're looking for a junior iOS engineer to help build iOS features and ship the native iOS side of the Jove app. This is a true Swift/iOS role as you'll be writing native code, shipping features, and working through the App Store submission process. Our broader codebase also includes React Native (managed via Replit) and custom code in Xcode, so comfort moving between native iOS and a React Native/TypeScript codebase is important. You'll work closely with the founder, who manages projects directly and reviews all work before it merges.

This is a great fit for someone 1-3 years out of a junior or associate engineering role who wants real ownership in a startup environment and gain meaningful experience.

Compensation: This is a part-time role with a fixed hourly rate of $35/hr or project-based pricing depending on scope (up to $350/ week). Currently unable to offer benefits or employment sponsorship. 

Time commitment: Up to 10 hours/week to start, with room to grow as trust and scope increase (ideally want someone who is able to move into a long-term role)

Reports to: Founder

How to Apply

• Send the following to [email protected]: 1) portfolio of any iOS projects you've shipped 2) GitHub link 3) a 2 minute video recording of why you're interested in this sports and community-centric app. Submissions with the 2 mintue video intro will be prioritized. Please also include your resume.

What You'll Do

• Build and ship native iOS features in Swift
• Manage builds and submissions through EAS, including the App Store review process
• Navigate and contribute to the React Native/TypeScript side of the codebase when work crosses over (most development happens via Replit and in Xcode)
• Open a PR for every change (no direct commits to main) and explain what changed and why
• Send a short written update every Friday: what you built, what's blocked, what's next

Must-Have Qualifications

• 1-3 years of professional or applied experience building native iOS apps in Swift (will consider meaningful co-op experience)
• Experience with EAS builds and the full App Store submission/review process is critical
• Working comfort with React Native and TypeScript: able to read and navigate that side of the codebase, even if Swift is your primary focus
• Clear, proactive communicator: you flag blockers or limitations immediately before working in a silo
• Able to stick to the defined task scope and explain your work clearly in a sprint update without modifying other elements/ features
• Comfort using Claude or other LLM's to build upon or review codebase
• Clearly articulate planned work and changes performed in each sprint

Nice to Have

• Experience with Supabase or Firebase (database + auth)
• Startup, side-project, or freelance experience (not just coursework or bootcamp projects)
• A genuine interest in outdoor sports or sports communities: you'll be building the product you'd actually want to use

How We Work Together

• Communication: Two weekly 1-hour sync (Zoom or async Loom), plus a short written update every Friday covering what you shipped, what's blocked, and what's next. No update, no payment for that week. Ideally can work alongside founder once a week in San Diego (in-person). We will also use ClickUp to manage projects, updates and communication. Time can be logged via screen recordings.
• 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 task, and we work one task at a time. No unscoped changes or restructuring without approval.
• Access: You'll get Replit and GitHub access from day one. Access to production data (e.g., Supabase prod) comes as scope expands.