Full Stack Engineer: Web, Mobile & CTV Apps for Podvision TV

Full Stack Engineer for Headless Video API OTT (Next.js, Supabase, Bunny Stream) – Web, Mobile & CTV Apps for Podvision TV (Build Native & Cross-Platform CTV & Mobile Apps: Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV, iOS/Android) Job Type: Fixed-Price Project Category: Mobile & TV App Development / Web Development Project Budget: $10,000 Hard-Cap (Phased Delivery) CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: 100% CODE OWNERSHIP & HYBRID EFFICIENCY We require full, proprietary source code ownership delivered directly into our private GitHub repository. We will NOT accept locked-down proprietary SaaS white-label wrappers, monthly platform rental prisons, or black-box app builders. Project Overview: We are looking for an experienced Full Stack Engineer to build out Podvision TV, featuring a Netflix-style VOD experience and a real-time Live Guide/EPG. Design & Asset Workflow: MANDATORY GITHUB REPOSITORY WORKFLOW: The developer must work directly inside the Client’s provided private GitHub repository from Day 1 for the entire duration of the project. No local-only development, external repositories, or end-of-milestone "code dumps" are permitted. Developers are expected to push code updates to the official repository on a daily basis as work is completed. Developer will receive graphic assets from client. The developer is responsible for translating provided web/mobile design assets into platform-compliant 10-foot TV navigation layouts using standard native UI components (including high-contrast D-pad focus states). You can immediately begin building the core structural shell, API connections, and playback logic. Scope & Adaptive Framework Policy: This agreement defines a lean, hybrid development build across all specified platforms. Both parties acknowledge that multi-platform software engineering inherently requires minor iterative adjustments, configuration refinements, and technical tweaks during development. Routine adjustments required to fulfill the core intent of these deliverables are considered part of the agreed-upon project scope and will not be subject to additional change-order fees. Note on Technology: We are using a lean, hybrid Headless Video API model. Developers are expected to leverage standard platform SDKs, native player frameworks, open-source UI component templates, and direct API integrations—such as Next.js, Supabase Server Backend Database, Bunny.net CDN Edge Storage, Google Ad Manager, and VideoElephant—rather than wasting time and budget custom-coding standard elements from zero. You are building clean, custom-wired clients that consume our centralized headless API. Project Scope & Milestone Architecture: $10,000 Phased Total Budget Cap — Spanning a 16-week (roughly 4 months) execution timeline across three core phases: Phase 1: Core Web & Primary Living Room CTV Milestone 1: Backend Architecture, Maestro, Bunny.net CDN, Supabase Server Backend Database & API Ingest Integration, Web Portal (Hosted on Vercel), Core Ad/CC Engine, Social SSO & Creator Portal Timeline: Weeks 1 to 4 | Payment Upon Approval: 15% ($1,500) Deliverables & Testing: MANDATORY GITHUB REPOSITORY WORKFLOW: The developer must work directly inside the Client’s provided private GitHub repository from Day 1 for the entire duration of the project. No local-only development, external repositories, or end-of-milestone "code dumps" are permitted. Developers are expected to push code updates to the official repository on a daily basis as work is completed. Podvision web portal styled and tested across browsers; domain linked (Podvision.tv) and hosted on Vercel; Supabase Server Backend Database & API Ingest integrated as the primary backend database, authentication, and API routing engine managing data streams into Bunny.net CDN Edge Storage; Bunny.net token security verified against hotlinking; seed content loaded with captions and TV Content Ratings metadata; live chat & moderation tested; custom database/password sign-in alongside friction-free 1-click Social Sign-On (SSO via Google, Facebook, and Apple) fully authenticated and tested across web browsers. Includes guest browsing support (allowing users to watch free AVOD content immediately without mandatory sign-in to comply with store guidelines). All database, cloud, and backend instances (Supabase Server Backend Database & API Ingest) must be instantiated directly within Client-owned accounts from Day 1. Implement a functional, non-technical Admin Dashboard (utilizing a custom-wired Supabase interface or a low-code tool like Retool). This dashboard is a mandatory deliverable for Milestone 1, enabling the client to independently manage VOD categories, map third-party syndication feeds, and update the Live Guide (EPG) metadata in real time without requiring future backend engineering intervention or code changes. Includes centralized user session tables (Supabase Server Backend Database & API Ingest) for real-time playhead resume sync, watchlist states, and automatic background OAuth token renewal. Implements automated server-side background cron workers/functions via Supabase Server Backend Database & API Ingest to poll creator RSS/MRSS feeds automatically every 15 minutes, validate XML/JSON schemas against malformed data, and protect catalog rendering. Includes the front-end Creator Submission Portal page (Podvision.tv/distribute) for content intake, featuring an Automated Audio/Video RSS-to-JSON Ingestion Parser that allows podcasters to paste standard podcast RSS feed links (supporting dual audio and video enclosures for on-the-go or in-car listening) to automatically pull in episodes, artwork, and descriptions. Includes a multi-tenant Creator/Partner Dashboard architecture with strict Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) allowing individual onboarded podcasters to securely log into their private account to view only their own show analytics, episode views, and real-time ad performance data (while preventing creators from viewing other partners' data), complete with a One-Click Social Share & Embed Generator providing creators with custom iframe embed codes and social share cards. Full web-based HTML5 video player monetization and caption pipeline fully integrated and functional on Podvision.tv, including direct GAM/VideoElephant VAST/VMAP ad tag integration with 3-second timeouts, ad-blocker failovers, and house-ad/promo video failover logic, backed by a Hybrid Ad Ingestion Engine and Ad-Decision Server (ADS) middleware layer supporting Podcasting 2.0 namespace tags and feed-level ad markers so creator-level programmatic mid-rolls and sponsor ads are seamlessly respected alongside network-wide ad fills. Includes standard .srt/.webvtt sidecar closed-captioning (CC) multi-language player toggles, native video player chapters supporting automated [ Skip Intro ] action buttons parsed from MRSS feed metadata, and graceful error-handling states featuring automated reconnection loops and a one-click [ Refresh Stream ] recovery button. Implementation of dynamic network architecture including top-hero live video auto-play with tap-to-unmute audio controls, sticky corner Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mini-player docking during page scroll, plus native casting integrations (AirPlay and Google Cast SDK frameworks) directly embedded into the player interface for seamless device handoff, alongside an Interactive Companion Mode framework enabling real-time mobile QR code synchronization for live Q&A, interactive polling, 1-click sponsor/merch purchases, and creator tipping jars during TV broadcasts. Includes Netflix-style UI components (dynamic content carousels and dedicated podcaster tiles), dynamic subcategory hub templates that render a 3-row stacked horizontal carousel layout per category/genre (dedicated Row 1 for Podcasts/Talk Shows, Row 2 for Documentaries/Docuseries, and Row 3 for Short Clips/Highlights) whenever a user selects or filters into a specific category, an interactive Live Guide (EPG) complete with a simple, built-in CMS EPG Schedule Manager allowing non-technical admins to assign MRSS video feeds/playlists to recurring 30-minute/1-hour time blocks on a calendar grid, dynamic category filtering, core user state tracking, ABR video player integration with secure Bunny.net token playback and error handling, backend user-entitlement architecture to support freemium/premium status flags, device-pairing token authentication logic (for 1-click QR code TV pairing via mobile phone), persistent user watch-history/state tables (for Continue Watching cross-platform playhead resume sync), a Universal Syndicator Management Dashboard in the admin area allowing the client to add, remove, and map multiple third-party XML/JSON/MRSS/VAST content feeds/links independently without requiring backend code changes, cross-platform error logging and telemetry hooks (Firebase Crashlytics/Sentry) initialized across the backend and web portal, and the web-based Admin & Partner performance portal. Includes backend API rate-limiting and bot-mitigation rules (via Cloudflare or AWS WAF) on API routes, multi-region Bunny.net edge-rule redundancy/failover profiles for high-traffic live streaming, and GitHub Actions CI/CD deployment pipelines for automated linting, testing, and staging deployments on the web portal (hosted seamlessly on Vercel). This web portal shall act as the primary Source of Truth for content metadata, syndication ingestion, ad tag routing, caption distribution, creator account analytics, and user state management, pulling directly from Bunny.net and feeding all downstream applications. Implement a lightweight side-slide welcome window and quick 3-step feature tour module for first-time visitors featuring guest continue action and auto-dismissal logic across web, mobile, and living room CTV platforms. Privacy Policy & Compliance Architecture: Build dedicated Privacy Policy and Terms of Service web pages ensuring live, publicly accessible URLs, alongside mandatory agreement checkboxes in registration flows. UGC Moderation & Reporting Architecture: Build internal admin flagging mechanisms, content reporting workflows, and moderation queues to satisfy living room platform requirements if user-generated media or profiles are permitted. Web Stability & API Resilience Architecture: Ensure production-grade deployment with zero local-only dependencies, secure CORS policies, and permanent structural protection for compliance links against accidental deletion. Web Authentication & Guest Access: Custom database/password sign-in alongside friction-free 1-click Social Sign-On (SSO via Google, Apple, and Facebook) fully integrated and tested. Includes mandatory Guest Browsing Support, allowing users to watch free AVOD content immediately without mandatory sign-in. Initial Sync Foundation: Supabase database configuration and state tables set up to support future cross-platform playhead tracking. Phase 2: Mobile Expansion & Network Analytics Milestone 2: Primary Living Room CTV (Roku & Amazon Fire TV Native Builds with Native Ad/CC Integration & QR Code Pairing) Timeline: Weeks 5 to 8 (4 Weeks) | Payment Upon Approval: 25% ($2,500) Deliverables & Testing: Podvision core CTV layout built natively using official platform SDKs for Roku (BrightScript / SceneGraph with native RAF SDK, leveraging optimized memory management to prevent leaks during feed parsing) and Amazon Fire TV (built natively using Fire OS / Android application architecture), featuring high-contrast D-pad focus states and skeleton image loaders with WebP/HEIC caching. App UI/UX must be optimized specifically for the 10-foot TV consumption experience, ensuring high-contrast focus states and responsive navigation where all remote button actions execute within 250 milliseconds. Native TV login screen must feature instant QR Code TV Activation pairing, allowing users to scan an on-screen QR code with their mobile phone camera to securely authorize their account without remote keyboard typing. Rigorous device testing performed and verified for layout stability, responsive D-pad navigation, and seamless API/Maestro/Supabase Server Backend Database & API Ingest feed synchronization. Both Roku and Fire TV apps must natively consume the Milestone 1 web portal feed to accurately render the Live Guide (EPG), Netflix-style dynamic category carousels, 3-row subcategory hub templates per genre (Podcasts/Talk Shows, Documentaries/Docuseries, Short Clips/Highlights), and podcaster tiles in real time, with background synchronization logic to reflect user state (Watchlist, Favorites, Continue Watching resume playheads) across all platforms. Native CTV player logic must fully integrate the Milestone 1 Ad Server and Subtitle pipeline: connects GAM / VideoElephant VAST/VMAP tags and creator feed ad-markers directly into native player engines with 3-second timeouts, ad-blocker failovers, seamless ad-pod transitions, and house-ad failover protection, alongside full native player toggle (CC) support for standard .srt/.webvtt sidecar multi-language subtitles without syncing drift. Apps must utilize asynchronous ad-loading patterns, ensuring that ad-fetching and ad-pod transitions occur in the background without locking UI navigation, dropping frame rates during scrolling, or interrupting the responsiveness of the Live Guide/podcaster tile interfaces. Includes full UI state preservation, accordion memory, and seamless back-navigation behavior across all views so that collapsing tabs or hitting back restores exact scroll positions and view states without page resets. Includes automated background token re-authentication protocols to prevent stream blackouts or session drops when living room hardware wakes from sleep/resume mode, alongside native crash reporting SDK integrations to monitor D-pad navigation memory leaks and feed-parsing exceptions in real time. Includes integration of a custom motion-graphic startup intro video (HBO-style logo reveal) that plays immediately upon launching the app on Roku and Fire TV (app-only; not required for the web portal). Integrate the native 10-foot D-pad adaptation of the first-time visitor welcome window and quick 3-step feature tour module for Roku and Amazon Fire TV. CTV QR Code Pairing & Guest Access: Built with instant QR Code TV Pairing on the native login screen, allowing users to scan an on-screen QR code with their mobile phone camera to securely authorize their account without remote keyboard typing. Account creation/signing-in on CTV is optional for browsing; guest viewing is fully supported out-of-the-box. CTV Playhead Sync Integration: Integration of real-time playhead resume tracking for the living room TV experience. Milestone 3: Native iOS & Android Mobile Apps & Partner Analytics Dashboard Deployment Timeline: Weeks 9 to 11 (3 Weeks) | Payment Upon Approval: 20% ($2,000) Deliverables & Testing: Native Mobile Apps (iOS & Android Native) built natively using official platform SDKs, featuring high-contrast touch navigation, 1-click Social Sign-On (Google, Apple, Facebook), Picture-in-Picture (PiP) support, guest browsing support, and full consumption of the established core API feed (including real-time EPG Live Guide, VOD category carousels, 3-row subcategory hub templates per genre, podcaster tiles, sidecar subtitle CC toggles, audio-feed switching options for background/in-car listening, Interactive Companion Mode sync modules, and asynchronous ad tag execution with 3-second timeouts and house-ad failovers). Full functionality testing executed for split-screen layouts, lower-third banners, subtitles, push notifications, TV activation code pairing (via verified phone QR/Token handshake to unlock TV apps), cross-device state handshake to instantly sync local playback states and QR-code pairing tokens, Continue Watching playhead sync across all platforms, Deep Link path-validation (ensuring content-specific URLs direct users to the exact show/episode within the mobile or CTV app), ABR streaming, TV sleep/resume auto-token refresh, live stream error fallback overlay, mobile crash logs and performance monitors to catch background audio switching and PiP memory warnings, Crashlytics analytics, and the deployment of the Admin/Partner performance dashboard to display real-time impression and revenue reporting as initialized in Milestone 1. Includes automated re-validation protocols for user freemium/subscription entitlement flags against App Store and Google Play billing servers to safeguard user subscription access. Includes state preservation and touch-navigation back memory across all collapsible panes and deep-dive views. Includes integration of the custom motion-graphic startup intro video (HBO-style logo reveal) upon launching the native mobile apps. Integrate the mobile touch-optimized adaptation of the first-time visitor welcome window and quick 3-step feature tour module. Mobile Authentication & Guest Access: Custom database/password sign-in and 1-click Social Sign-On (Google, Apple, Facebook) implemented for mobile apps, paired with mandatory guest browsing support for app store compliance. Continuous Play & Watch History Finalization: Full cross-platform playhead resume sync ("Continue Watching") deployed and tested via Supabase state tables with timestamp-priority sync, ensuring users can seamlessly switch between web, mobile, and living room CTV apps without losing their place. Phase 3: Secondary CTV Expansion, Private Beta & Store Publishing Milestone 4: Secondary Living Room Expansion (Apple TV & Google TV) Timeline: Weeks 12 to 14 (3 Weeks) | Payment Upon Approval: 20% ($2,000) Deliverables & Testing: Native application development and deployment across two distinct living room operating systems, utilizing each platform's mandatory native software stack to eliminate memory leaks, frame drops, and platform crashes: Apple TV (tvOS): Built natively using Swift/SwiftUI, complying strictly with Apple TV HIG specifications, Siri Remote touch navigation, and native video player frameworks. Google TV / Android TV: Built natively using the Android Leanback SDK and standard Android TV UI patterns. Complete Feature & Content Parity (No Shells): These apps must not be basic shells or stripped-down versions. Every single feature built into the website, Roku, Fire TV, and mobile apps must be fully functional here. This includes the real-time Live Guide (EPG), Netflix-style dynamic category carousels, 3-row subcategory hub templates per genre (Podcasts/Talk Shows, Documentaries/Docuseries, Short Clips/Highlights), individual podcaster tiles, sidecar subtitles (CC), asynchronous VAST ad-fetching with fallback protection, QR Code TV activation pairing, guest browsing capabilities, and user state management (Watchlist, Favorites, and Continue Watching playhead resume sync via mobile QR-code/token login handshakes), alongside seamless accordion state memory and D-pad back-navigation history. Implement a lightweight side-slide welcome window and quick 3-step feature tour module for first-time visitors featuring guest continue action and auto-dismissal logic for Apple TV and Google TV Integration, Ad Performance & Testing: Both apps must independently and securely consume the established backend architecture (Maestro.io data feeds, Supabase Server Backend Database & API Ingest database feeds, and Bunny.net token streaming) while maintaining platform-native UI performance and high-contrast D-pad focus states. Ad modules must execute fully asynchronously with mandatory 3-second timeouts and house-ad/promo fallback protocols to ensure ads never cause UI freezing, stream blackouts, or ad-drop friction for partners. Ensures automated image caching and strict memory-management protocols run natively on tvOS and Android TV to handle high-resolution posters without crashing, while feeding all telemetry and crash logs directly into the central monitoring dashboard. Comprehensive hardware and performance testing executed across target living room environments. Includes integration of the custom motion-graphic startup intro video (HBO-style logo reveal) upon launching the app on Apple TV (tvOS) and Google TV / Android TV. Additionally, developer will integrate the platform-native inclusion of the first-time visitor welcome window and quick 3-step feature tour module to ensure complete cross-platform parity for Apple & Google TV. CTV QR Code Pairing & Guest Access: Built with instant QR Code TV Pairing on the native login screen across Apple TV and Fire TV/Google TV, allowing users to scan an on-screen QR code with their mobile phone camera to securely authorize their account without remote keyboard typing. Account creation/signing-in on CTV is optional for browsing; guest viewing is fully supported out-of-the-box. CTV Playhead Sync Integration: Integration of real-time playhead resume tracking for the Apple TV and Google TV living room experiences. Milestone 5: Private Beta Testing, Store Publishing & Complete Code Handoff Timeline: Weeks 15 to 16 (2 Weeks) | Payment Upon Approval: 20% ($2,000) (Bringing total to 100%) Deliverables & Testing: End-to-End Beta Testing: Execution of a structured private beta phase across all platforms. Must include TestFlight deployment for iOS/Apple TV, Roku Private Channel creation, Amazon Appstore Internal Testing, and Google Play Internal Testing. Full bug tracking, performance logging, telemetry audits, and resolution of all crashing bugs prior to public submission. App Store Publishing, Rejection Resolution & Compliance: Complete end-to-end management and successful submission of apps across all 6 target app stores (Apple App Store, Roku Channel Store, Amazon Appstore, Google Play Store, plus iOS/Android mobile stores). While Client provides active developer store accounts, Developer is fully responsible for build uploads, metadata/graphic entry, meeting all strict store guidelines, compliance audits, app privacy disclosures, age ratings, and resolving any app store rejection notices or metadata policy revisions until 100% public approval is achieved. Disaster-Proof Handoff, Plain-English CMS Training & Documentation: Transfer of 100% proprietary ownership of all source code, design files, and administrative control to the Client. All code must be cleanly pushed and verified in the Client's private GitHub repository. Includes final verification of all automated GitHub Actions CI/CD deployment pipelines across all target codebases. Delivery of a comprehensive Network Operations & CMS Handoff Guide written entirely in clear, non-technical plain English, detailing how to manage user accounts, upload content, assign EPG time slots, and map automated RSS and MRSS syndication feeds. Additionally, the developer must provide a live or recorded video walkthrough session demonstrating how to use the admin portal and CMS dashboard. This ensures any future developer or non-technical team member can maintain, update, or scale the platform instantly without starting from scratch. Final Network-Wide Verification: Final QA sign-off confirming seamless, real-time synchronization across the website, mobile apps, and all four CTV living room platforms (Live Guide updates, user watch history, ad insertion, and universal syndication feeds). Milestone Compensation Rule: Funds for each milestone remain held in Upwork Escrow and will ONLY be released upon successful code verification, live deployment testing, and full adherence to milestone deliverables. Contract Terms, Maintenance & Safeguards: 90-Day Project Term & Post-Launch Support: The initial development, deployment, and configuration of the web, mobile, and CTV apps is scoped for a 90-day timeline. Furthermore, the developer agrees to provide a mandatory 90-day post-launch support and bug-fix period following final milestone approval (with ongoing maintenance available as needed thereafter). During this window, any critical bugs, playback failures, app store submission compliance blocks, or crashing errors discovered must be patched and updated by the developer at zero additional cost. Code Ownership & Intellectual Property: All source code, assets, repository access, API keys, configurations, and intellectual property created under this contract are 100% the exclusive property of the Client. No proprietary locks, hidden licenses, or third-party encumbrances are permitted. Q & A Screening Questions (Please complete Q&A before proposal submission) Question 1: Can you link two live native CTV/mobile apps you have successfully deployed using a headless API backend, confirm 100% proprietary source code delivery into a client-owned GitHub repository, and outline your approach to our milestone payment structure? Question 2: How do you handle custom time-grid rendering and smooth D-pad focus management for both a real-time Live Guide (EPG) and VOD category rows in Roku SceneGraph and Fire TV while leveraging existing open-source boilerplates or SDK components? Question 3: How do you implement asynchronous VAST/VMAP ad tags in native video players with a strict 3-second timeout, house-ad failover logic, and drop-off analytics telemetry to prevent UI freezing across web, mobile, and CTV? Question 4: What is your strategy for optimizing Supabase database queries and edge caching via Bunny.net CDN to ensure instantaneous load times for large video catalogs and EPG grid data across high-concurrency user sessions? Question 5: How do you manage app store compliance and fast-track approvals for streaming apps on Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV, specifically regarding guest access, privacy policies, and playback error handling? To Apply: Please include links to recent web, mobile, or CTV apps you have built, along with a brief description of your specific role in the project.