Full-Stack iOS Developer — Consumer Social App (Swift/SwiftUI + Node/PostgreSQL)

::: PLEASE READ UNTIL THE END ::: ABOUT US We're an early-stage, stealth-mode consumer startup building a mobile social app that helps people connect over shared interests and meet up in real life. There's a working prototype and a specced backend: PostgreSQL schema, architecture spec, and data model already in place. We're now building the production app, iOS first. (Full product details shared with shortlisted candidates under strict NDA.) We're design-led and founder-run, and we care a lot about polish, feel, and restraint — which is exactly why we're building native. We build fast and AI-augmented: modern agentic coding tools are part of how we work, not an afterthought. We want someone who uses them to ship more, faster — without trading away quality or a real understanding of their own code. THE ROLE We're looking for a strong iOS developer to take the app from prototype to a polished, production-ready native iOS app built in Swift/SwiftUI — and to own or co-own the backend that powers it. iOS first; Android comes later (you won't be building this). You'll have real influence over architecture and craft, building something with a genuine product point of view, not another CRUD app. WHAT YOU'LL BUILD – A native iOS app (Swift/SwiftUI): onboarding, the core matching/discovery flow, real-time chat, map-based discovery, time-sensitive meetups, and an in-app credit system – Smooth, native-feeling motion and interaction — a big part of why we're going native – A backend API on top of an existing PostgreSQL schema (geospatial + vector-search ready) – Real-time features (messaging, presence), geolocation, and push notifications (APNs) – Auth (including Sign in with Apple), profiles, and in-app purchases / credits (StoreKit) – Clean, maintainable, well-documented code we can build on STACK – App: Swift + SwiftUI (UIKit where it makes sense), native iOS – Maps: MapKit / Core Location — or Mapbox iOS SDK if you'd argue for custom cartography or offline – Backend: Node.js + TypeScript – Database: PostgreSQL — already using PostGIS (geo) and pgvector (recommendations) – Real-time via WebSockets (or similar) – Push via APNs; payments via StoreKit / in-app purchases YOU'RE A GREAT FIT IF – Have shipped at least one consumer iOS app to the App Store (links required) – Are fluent in modern Swift and SwiftUI, with a real eye for native polish and motion – Work fluently with agentic coding tools (Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, and similar) — you have a real workflow for building with AI, not just autocomplete – Know MapKit / Core Location and have handled real-time features – Are comfortable owning (or strongly contributing to) a Node/TypeScript + PostgreSQL backend – Care about design and restraint — feel over clutter – Work well in a fast, iterative, founder-led environment and can make good calls independently BONUS POINTS – Social, dating, or marketplace app experience – SwiftUI animation / Core Animation chops – PostGIS / geospatial and pgvector / recommendation work – StoreKit / in-app purchase or credit-economy experience – Real backend depth in Node/TypeScript (if iOS is your primary strength) ENGAGEMENT – Fixed scope (approx 6 weeks build time), with strong potential to grow into an ongoing build – Open to kicking off with a small paid milestone so we can both feel out the fit – Looking for someone who can start within the next few weeks – Selected candidate will sign NDA and IP assignment TO APPLY, PLEASE INCLUDE – 2–3 consumer iOS apps you've shipped, with App Store links – A note on your iOS strengths and how deep you go on the backend – How you actually use agentic coding tools (Claude Code / Codex / similar) in your workflow – One short paragraph on how you'd approach real-time, location-based features (so I know you read this) – Your availability and hourly (or project) rate Looking forward to building something good with the right person.