⚠️ Please note: While this position is officially marked as Hybrid with a location in Slovenia, the work can be performed fully remote. We choose Hybrid to ensure we’re connecting with the right talent in our region — applications from outside of the Balkan region, unfortunately, cannot be considered.

We’re building Embrin, a next-generation newsletter studio built around ArcXP, the digital experience platform developed inside The Washington Post and is now used by some of the most innovative media companies in the world.

At d.labs, we’ve been working side by side with top publishers to reimagine how editorial teams engage millions of readers. Now, we’re turning that expertise into a product with global reach.

We’re looking for a developer with a founder-like DNA, a builder, not just a coder. Someone who wants their fingerprints all over the product, from architecture to user experience.

This role is special because from day one you won’t just be writing code. You’ll be shaping Embrin’s direction, technical architecture, and roadmap alongside the CEO and Embrin’s CTO. Your voice will carry real weight in how we solve problems and scale. You’ll be working at the intersection of d.labs’ product expertise, ArcXP’s platform scale, and The Washington Post’s innovation pedigree. This is a rare chance to operate inside a global network of world-class publishers and technologists.

At d.labs, you’ll collaborate directly with senior architects, designers, and product leaders who have built and scaled platforms across fintech, SaaS, and publishing. You’ll be learning from the best, and they’ll expect the same from you. And while you’ll have the excitement and influence of building from scratch, you’ll also have the support and credibility of a proven venture studio. It is the sweet spot between the backing of a reputable organisation and the raw energy of an early-stage product.

• Own features end-to-end: From requirements gathering → architecture design → implementation → deployment
• Design before building: Create system diagrams, database schemas, and API specifications. Present trade-offs and get alignment before coding
• Build production-ready solutions: Not prototypes. Security, performance, error handling, observability from day one
• Make architectural decisions: Choose the right tools, design clean abstractions, establish patterns others will follow
• Work autonomously within guardrails: Weekly syncs with CEO/CTO for strategic alignment, but daily execution is yours to own
• Ship iteratively: Small, frequent releases with tight feedback loops from real users
• Collaborate asynchronously: Clear written communication, thorough PR descriptions, documentation that doesn't need verbal explanation

Must-haves:

• 5+ years full-stack development, with deep Next.js expertise
• Strong Supabase experience: RLS policies, complex auth flows
• Production PostgreSQL experience: complex queries, indexing strategies, migration management
• Proven ability to architect full features independently—from data model to deployment—with clear documentation (diagrams, ADRs, technical specs)
• Product-minded engineering: you understand user workflows, can translate requirements into technical solutions, and build functional UIs with shadcn/ui and modern React patterns
• Security-first mindset: authentication, authorization, input validation, secure API design

Bonus:

• AWS experience (Lambda, RDS, CloudFront, S3)
• Background in media/publishing tech or content management systems

Working style we need:

• You proactively ask clarifying questions when specs are ambiguous
• You create diagrams and technical proposals before coding
• You're comfortable presenting technical trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders
• You are an AI first developer - You know how to use AI tools (Copilot, Claude, etc.) to accelerate development without compromising quality
• Strong written English communication—you'll be documenting decisions and explaining technical concepts regularly

• You prefer working with detailed specs and pixel-perfect designs from a design team
• You need close direction on technical decisions
• You're more comfortable with established patterns than making architectural choices
• You want to focus purely on frontend or backend (this is truly full-stack)
• You prefer larger teams with specialized roles

• You’ll help shape Embrin from the ground up—your voice will influence product direction, technical architecture, and roadmap alongside the CEO and Embrin’s CTO.
• You’ll work at the intersection of d.labs’ product craft, ArcXP’s platform scale, and The Washington Post’s innovation network—exposure to world-class publishers and technologists.
• You’ll collaborate closely with senior architects, designers, and product leaders who’ve built and scaled platforms across fintech, SaaS, and publishing—and they’ll challenge you to do your best work.
• You’ll have true ownership: leave your fingerprints across the stack, from system design to user experience, in a product with global reach.
• We are remote-first across the CET time zone (10+ locations) and offer flexible working hours so you can organize your day for focus and good work–life balance.
• Our teams are cross-functional and dedicated to one project at a time (developers, PMs, QA, DevOps, designers) for fast learning and tight collaboration.
• We’re proud of our teamwork and genuinely enjoy working with one another.
• Senior experts and managers will mentor you and support your growth.
• We offer fair pay and clear career development opportunities, including regular monthly 1-on-1s with your manager.
• If you’re in Slovenia, our offices in Ljubljana and Maribor are open to you—work from home or the office, your choice.
• Our strong People team focuses on well-being, connectedness, and development.
• We love to get together so we have multiple team buildings per year, summer off-site, the New Year’s party, etc.

If you are ready to take on this challenge and be a part of our innovative team, we would love to hear from you!