Lead Full-Stack Engineer

Insight Global is seeking a Lead Full-Stack Engineer to help design, build, and deploy next-generation intelligent applications for a Startup that is currently in Stealth Mode. This individual can sit in the NYC or San Francisco office and will serve as a hands-on technical lead for a small engineering team consisting of U.S.-based and offshore developers.

The Lead Full-Stack Engineer will build and maintain scalable Node.js and TypeScript backend services, develop modern React-based user interfaces, and integrate AI capabilities through LLM APIs, intelligent agents, and automated workflows. This person will help make architectural decisions across the full technology stack while ensuring applications remain secure, reliable, performant, and scalable.

Additional responsibilities will include optimizing frontend and backend performance, supporting database design, conducting code reviews, improving automated testing practices, and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers. This individual will work closely with product managers, designers, and business stakeholders to translate product requirements into practical technical solutions.

The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in a fast-paced and highly iterative environment, can take ownership of complex technical initiatives, and can clearly communicate technical and AI concepts to both engineering and non-technical stakeholders. The underlying role also emphasizes modular architecture, automated testing, technical documentation, and mentorship.

Must-Haves

• 5+ years of professional software development experience, including experience delivering production-grade SaaS applications.
• Strong full-stack development experience using Node.js, TypeScript, and React , with the ability to contribute across both backend and frontend systems from day one.
• Hands-on experience building scalable backend services, RESTful APIs, and microservices using Node.js and TypeScript.
• Advanced React experience, including hooks, modern state management, and frontend performance optimization.
• Demonstrated experience integrating AI or LLM APIs into production applications, intelligent workflows, or customer-facing products.
• Experience designing applications using relational and/or NoSQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB.
• Previous technical leadership experience, including leading architecture decisions, conducting code reviews, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with product and design teams.

Plusses

• Experience working for an AI-focused company or a portfolio of deployed AI applications, projects, or GitHub contributions.
• Experience implementing AI guardrails, prompt orchestration, caching, rate limiting, and model evaluation frameworks.
• Experience with GraphQL, event-driven architecture, or distributed microservices.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP, along with Docker and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience leading engineering teams that include both U.S.-based and offshore developers.

Compensation

Compensation ranges from $170,000 to $200,000 annually , depending on experience, qualifications, and location. Equity is also available.