Node.js / TypeScript Backend Developer — AI Safari Booking Chatbot with Nightsbridge API Integration

Senior Node.js Developer — AI Safari Booking Platform (NightsBridge Integration) Please read the full description before applying. A detailed technical specification, architecture documents, test register, and UI simulations will be shared with shortlisted candidates before final quoting. ⸻ PROJECT OVERVIEW We are building a production booking platform with an AI conversational interface for Isibindi Africa Lodges, an established safari lodge group operating properties in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The platform allows guests to: * Build personalised multi-lodge safari itineraries through natural conversation * Check live room availability through the NightsBridge API * Receive direct booking/payment links for each lodge * Complete bookings through existing lodge reservation systems Each lodge receives payment directly through its own NightsBridge account. There is no central payment processing. This is a live commercial booking platform for an active lodge group and must be built to production standards with reliability, security and maintainability in mind. The platform is initially being deployed for a live safari lodge group and may later be expanded into a multi-operator booking platform. ⸻ SCOPE OF WORK Backend Platform * Node.js + TypeScript (strict mode) * Fastify preferred (Express acceptable) * PostgreSQL database * Redis caching layer * BullMQ job queues NightsBridge Integration * Live availability queries * Availability caching using Redis * Circuit breaker implementation * Booking deep-link generation * Reservation attribution tracking AI Integration * Claude Sonnet 4.6 via Anthropic SDK (model string: claude-sonnet-4-6 — no substitution) * Server-Sent Events (SSE) streaming responses * Conversation persistence * Prompt security controls * Rate limiting and abuse protection Booking Attribution System * Unique tracking references per lodge and session * Attribution ledger * Daily reconciliation process * Reporting and analytics Webhook Infrastructure * NightsBridge webhook receiver * HMAC-SHA256 verification * Idempotency handling * Retry logic * Audit logging Business Logic * Multi-lodge itinerary generation * Transfer matrix validation * Prevention of impossible itineraries * Seasonal content support * Rate and availability validation Admin Tools * Password-protected admin panel * Update seasonal content * Update lodge information * View booking attribution * Review conversations Analytics Dashboard * Adapt provided HTML simulation * Live booking metrics * Conversation metrics * Attribution reporting * Operational monitoring Frontend Widget * Mobile-optimised embeddable chatbot * Match provided design specification exactly * Responsive across desktop and mobile Security & Compliance * Prompt injection protection * Rate limiting * Secure secret management * POPIA compliance requirements * Webhook verification * Audit trail logging ⸻ WHAT IS ALREADY PREPARED Successful candidates will receive: * Working HTML chatbot simulation * Working dashboard simulation * Full architecture documentation * Production hardening report * Comprehensive test register (196 tests across 10 categories) * Lodge data pack * Claude system prompt content * Client-owned GitHub repository * API credentials provided once milestone 1 is approved This is a well-documented project with significant preparation already completed. ⸻ PREFERRED TECH STACK * Node.js 20 LTS * TypeScript (strict mode) * Fastify * PostgreSQL * Redis * BullMQ * Anthropic SDK * Railway, Render or DigitalOcean * Sentry * BetterUptime * Resend Equivalent alternatives may be proposed if justified. ⸻ MILESTONES Milestone 1 — Project Foundation * Repository structure * Database schema * Environment setup * CI/CD pipeline Milestone 2 — NightsBridge Integration * Availability queries * Redis cache * Circuit breaker * API testing Milestone 3 — Core Platform Functional * AI integration * Booking tracking * Attribution system * Admin tools * Analytics dashboard Milestone 4 — Testing & Staging * All 196 tests in the provided test register completed and signed off by the developer before this milestone is approved * Security review completed * Staging environment ready for client review Milestone 5 — Production Launch * Live deployment * Monitoring enabled * Go-live support Please provide a fixed-price quote broken down by milestone. ⸻ ONGOING RETAINER A monthly maintenance retainer is available after launch. Expected scope: * Bug fixes * Platform monitoring * Minor enhancements * Approximately 3 hours/month Long-term engagement available for the right developer. ⸻ REQUIREMENTS * Strong Node.js experience * Strong TypeScript experience * Experience integrating third-party APIs * PostgreSQL experience * Redis experience * Webhook implementation experience * Understanding of idempotency patterns * Understanding of circuit breaker patterns * Comfortable working during South African business hours (UTC+2) * Excellent written communication * Must be able to demonstrate previous production work * Portfolio or live project examples required Weekly progress updates are required. ⸻ ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Please include links to at least two live or previously deployed projects that you personally worked on. For each project, briefly explain: * Your role on the project * Technologies used * Whether the system is currently live * Any third-party API integrations involved Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate experience with: * Booking or reservation systems * Payment integrations * Webhook-based systems * Customer-facing web applications * Production SaaS platforms Portfolio links, GitHub repositories, case studies, or live websites are all acceptable. ⸻ TO APPLY Please answer ALL THREE of the following questions: 1. Have you integrated with a third-party booking or reservation system API before? If yes: * Which platform? * What did you build? 2. Describe a webhook-based system you have built. How did you handle: * Duplicate webhook events? * Failed deliveries? * Idempotency? 3. What is the most technically complex system that you have personally taken to production? Please describe: * The architecture * Your role * Key technical challenges * Approximate number of users/customers Applications that do not answer all three questions will not be considered.