Tech Lead - Backend (Node.js / PostgreSQL / MongoDB) - Full-Stack Capable

We are seeking a hands-on Tech Lead who will drive the design, implementation, and delivery of backend services and database-driven insurance allocation engines - while also contributing on the full-stack when needed. The ideal candidate is backend-strong (Node.js + PostgreSQL/MongoDB) with the ability to guide engineers across the stack (React/TypeScript).

The candidate will work closely with an existing Solution Architect (who owns target architecture and high-level design) while taking ownership of engineering execution, code quality, sprint delivery, mentoring, and day-to-day technical decisions. The systems you help build must be scalable, auditable, and transparent, powering complex, multi-tier insurance allocation logic used by enterprise clients.

What you'll do

Leadership & Delivery

• Lead a team of backend/full-stack engineers, ensuring high-quality delivery and predictable execution.
• Collaborate with the Solution Architect to align implementation with architectural standards and long-term goals.
• Own engineering execution: task breakdown, backlog refinement, technical planning, and development workflows.
• Mentor developers through code reviews, pair programming, and technical guidance.
• Partner with Product, Actuaries/SMEs, and UI teams to clarify requirements and define data/API contracts.

Backend Engineering (Hands-On)

• Design and build backend services with Node.js (NestJS).
• Implement secure, scalable REST APIs and services for complex calculation workflows.
• Integrate PostgreSQL calculation logic into backend services with clean orchestration, data validation, and error handling.
• Use MongoDB where document-oriented storage is beneficial.

PostgreSQL / Calculation Engine

• Develop multi-tier allocation and rating logic using SQL and PL/pgSQL stored procedures.
• Design schemas, indexing, and data pipelines optimized for performance, scale, and auditability.
• Conduct execution plan analysis, query tuning, and partitioning for large insurance datasets.
• Ensure deterministic, traceable, and versioned business logic.

Full-Stack Contribution (as needed)

• Support UI integration and occasionally contribute to React + TypeScript front-end components.
• Collaborate on API-driven UX workflows, contract changes, and end-to-end feature delivery.

Quality, Observability & Reliability

• Implement automated tests (backend + DB logic), enforce code quality, and uphold CI/CD standards.
• Improve logging, monitoring, metrics, and alerting to ensure production readiness and transparency.
• Participate in production support, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.

What you bring

• Expert-level Node.js (TypeScript) with experience in Express/NestJS.
• Strong expertise with PostgreSQL (PL/pgSQL, query tuning, indexing, performance).
• Experience with MongoDB as a supporting data store.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams and driving delivery in a Tech Lead / Lead Engineer capacity.
• Strong understanding of REST API design, distributed systems, and backend scalability.
• Familiarity with React + TypeScript and ability to contribute meaningfully on the front end.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder collaboration skills.
• Strong testing mindset and experience with CI/CD pipelines.

Nice to have

• Insurance, fintech, or actuarial systems experience.
• Experience with Databricks.
• Experience with AWS/Azure, Docker, and observability stacks.

Tech stack

• Backend: Node.js, TypeScript, NestJS
• Databases: PostgreSQL (primary), MongoDB (secondary)
• Frontend: React, TypeScript
• Tooling: Docker, GitHub Actions, monitoring/logging stack, CI/CD
• APIs: REST (WebSockets optional)