Fractional Lead Mobile Engineer

# The Tips Technology ## Fractional Lead Mobile App Developer ### About The Tips The Tips is a golf technology, media, and community platform built to make the game more engaging, connected, and fun. We have completed the first version of our mobile application, gathered real-world feedback, and are preparing to begin development of Version 2. We are now looking for a senior developer who can take meaningful ownership of the product’s technical future. This is not a short-term project for someone who simply completes assigned tickets. We are looking for a long-term development partner who understands startups, communicates clearly, challenges bad ideas when necessary, and can help us build a stable, scalable platform. ### The Opportunity We are seeking a senior mobile app developer or small independent development consultancy to work with us on a monthly retainer. The ideal candidate operates through their own business or LLC and can provide approximately 35-40 development hours per week under a predictable monthly agreement. The engagement may begin on a fractional consulting basis, but there is an opportunity for the right person to become increasingly integrated into The Tips team as the company grows. ### Initial Assignment The first engagement will be a paid technical audit and transition period. Before beginning significant Version 2 development, the selected developer will: 1. Review the existing mobile application and source code. 2. Review the backend, database, integrations, hosting, analytics, and deployment process. 3. Identify technical debt, security concerns, scalability issues, and incomplete functionality. 4. Evaluate the quality and maintainability of the current architecture. 5. Confirm whether the existing application should be improved, partially rebuilt, or restructured. 6. Document the current technical environment. 7. Produce a prioritized Version 2 development roadmap. 8. Provide realistic estimates for time, cost, dependencies, and risk. 9. Help transition technical control away from the existing development provider. 10. Confirm that The Tips controls all source code, accounts, credentials, data, and intellectual property. We do not expect a candidate to promise a complete rebuild or make major architectural recommendations before reviewing the application. ### Ongoing Responsibilities The selected developer will be expected to: * Lead development of Version 2 of The Tips application. * Maintain and improve the existing iOS and Android applications. * Diagnose and resolve bugs, crashes, and performance issues. * Develop new product features based on an agreed roadmap. * Review the existing architecture and recommend practical improvements. * Maintain clean, organized, and documented source code. * Manage or support App Store and Google Play releases. * Maintain development, staging, and production environments. * Review backend services, databases, APIs, and third-party integrations. * Improve automated testing and quality-control procedures. * Establish a dependable source-control and release-management process. * Provide honest estimates before beginning meaningful development work. * Identify technical risks before they become expensive problems. * Participate in regular product and planning meetings. * Translate technical issues into language that nontechnical founders can understand. * Help evaluate and manage future developers, contractors, or technical vendors. * Assist in creating a long-term technology strategy for the company. ### Required Experience Candidates should have: * At least seven years of professional software-development experience. * Significant experience developing and supporting production mobile applications. * Experience releasing applications through the Apple App Store and Google Play. * Experience working with the framework used by the current Tips application, once confirmed. * Strong experience with APIs, databases, cloud services, authentication, analytics, and mobile notifications. * Experience inheriting an existing codebase from another developer or agency. * Experience conducting code audits and technical assessments. * Strong Git and source-control practices. * Experience with automated testing, debugging, monitoring, and release management. * Experience working directly with founders, business owners, or nontechnical product leaders. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * The ability to operate independently and manage priorities responsibly. * A legally established business through which services can be invoiced. ### Preferred Experience The strongest candidates may also have experience with: * Golf, sports, gaming, social, community, or media applications. * Location-based functionality. * User profiles, avatars, leaderboards, contests, or gamification. * Video, image, or user-generated content. * Subscription products and in-app purchases. * Advertising technology or sponsor integrations. * Artificial intelligence features. * Consumer applications with meaningful daily usage. * Scaling applications from an early product to a large user base. * Startup product strategy. * Managing junior developers or specialist contractors. * Technical due diligence or fractional CTO work. ### What Success Looks Like Within the first 30 days, the selected developer should be able to: * Explain the current technical environment in plain language. * Identify the most important technical risks. * Confirm ownership and access to all essential systems. * Produce a written technical audit. * Recommend a practical Version 2 plan. * Establish a clear development workflow. * Provide transparent estimates and priorities. * Resolve at least one meaningful existing issue or complete one small improvement. Within the first 90 days, the selected developer should: * Have full working knowledge of the application. * Be releasing improvements through a controlled process. * Have improved stability, documentation, and accountability. * Have begun delivering prioritized Version 2 functionality. * Provide The Tips with confidence that its technology is being managed responsibly. ### Working Relationship This position is expected to begin as a remote fractional engagement. Candidates located in the United States are preferred. Houston-area candidates are especially welcome, although location will not outweigh experience and fit. The developer should be available for: * One regularly scheduled planning meeting each week or every other week. * Reasonable communication through email, phone, Slack, or a similar platform. * Timely responses to urgent production issues. * Clear notification when schedules or estimates change. * Monthly written summaries of work completed and work planned. We are not seeking around-the-clock availability. We are seeking consistency, accountability, and clear communication. ### Compensation We anticipate a monthly retainer in the range of approximately $4,000 to $7,500, depending on: * Monthly hours included. * Seniority and experience. * Scope of responsibility. * Technical leadership capabilities. * Availability for urgent issues. * Whether the candidate is an individual consultant or a small consultancy. All additional hours, rollover policies, response expectations, and out-of-scope work must be agreed upon in writing. ### Ownership and Confidentiality All work created for The Tips must be considered work made for hire to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Tips must retain complete ownership of: * Source code. * Product designs. * Documentation. * Databases and user data. * Cloud environments. * Domains. * App Store and Google Play accounts. * Analytics platforms. * Third-party service accounts. * Credentials and administrative access. * Intellectual property created during the engagement. The selected developer will be required to sign confidentiality, intellectual-property assignment, and independent-contractor agreements. The use of subcontractors must be disclosed and approved in advance.