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Location: Remote (U.S. preferred) Type: Contract-to-Partner (Equity Available) Compensation: Cash + Equity (5–10% with vesting) Founder: Tina Marie Horttor ⭐ About Have a Seat Have a Seat is a next‑generation, connection‑first social platform designed to replace the traditional “feed” with tables, rooms, and presence. We are building a multi‑room virtual campus supported by AI emotional architecture, community tools, and a hybrid nonprofit mission (The Table Foundation). Our goal is to solve loneliness, create belonging, and build the first emotionally intelligent social platform. We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer who can architect and build the core foundation of the platform. ⭐ Role Overview You will be the first technical hire and will build the backend systems that power: User accounts & authentication Profiles Messaging Groups Tables (our signature feature) Feed Safety systems Admin dashboard Cloud infrastructure APIs for Unity/Unreal rooms APIs for AI emotional engine This is a founding-level role with significant influence over architecture, technology choices, and long-term platform direction. ⭐ Key Responsibilities Platform Architecture Design and build the backend architecture for a scalable social platform Create secure authentication, authorization, and user management systems Build the core “table” and “group” logic that defines the platform Messaging & Real-Time Systems Develop real-time messaging (WebSockets or similar) Build presence tracking for users in virtual rooms API Development Build REST or GraphQL APIs for: Unity/Unreal rooms AI systems Frontend web app Mobile app (future) Database & Cloud Design relational + NoSQL database schemas Deploy and manage cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure/GCP) Implement auto-scaling, load balancing, and security best practices Safety & Moderation Build moderation tools and admin dashboards Integrate AI moderation endpoints for real‑time content review Ensure data privacy and compliance with U.S. and international standards Collaboration Work directly with the founder to translate vision into technical architecture Coordinate with Unity/Unreal developers for room integration Collaborate with AI engineer to connect emotional architecture Document systems for future engineering hires ⭐ Required Skills & Experience Technical Skills 5+ years backend engineering experience Strong in Node.js, Python, or Go Strong in AWS, Azure, or GCP Strong in SQL + NoSQL Experience with real-time systems (WebSockets, Pub/Sub, etc.) Experience building scalable APIs Experience with authentication systems (OAuth, JWT, etc.) Experience with microservices or modular architecture Bonus Skills (Not required, but extremely valuable) Experience with social platforms Experience with Unity/Unreal API integration Experience with AI/LLM integration Experience with community or messaging platforms Experience with startup environments ⭐ Personal Qualities We are looking for someone who is: Mission-driven Emotionally intelligent Collaborative Honest Reliable Excited about building something meaningful Comfortable being the first engineer Interested in long-term partnership ⭐ Equity & Partnership This role includes the option for equity (5–10%) with a standard vesting schedule: 4-year vesting 1-year cliff Monthly vesting thereafter Equity is offered in exchange for: reduced cash compensation long-term commitment building the MVP becoming a foundational part of the company ⭐ Non‑Compete Clause All candidates must agree to a standard non‑compete and confidentiality clause, which includes: You may not build, advise, or contribute to any competing social platform, virtual campus, or emotional‑AI community product for a period of 24 months after the contract ends. All intellectual property, architecture, code, and platform concepts created during this project belong exclusively to Have a Seat, Inc. All discussions, documents, and platform details are confidential and may not be shared or reused outside this project. This protects the integrity of the platform and ensures the vision remains unified. ⭐ Cash Bid Option (If You Do Not Want Equity) If you prefer cash only, you may submit a standard project bid instead of taking equity. Two paths are available: Option A — Contract + Equity (Partner Track) Reduced cash rate 5–10% equity Long-term partnership CTO-track opportunity Option B — Contract Only (Cash Bid) No equity You submit your bid for the full project cost Standard contractor relationship You may choose whichever option fits your goals. ⭐ What You Will Build First (90-Day Roadmap) User accounts & authentication Profiles Messaging Groups Table system Admin dashboard Cloud infrastructure API for Unity rooms API for AI emotional engine This is the foundation of the entire platform. Please send your Resume GitHub or portfolio Short message about why this mission matters to you
Project ID: 40558457
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Build a Next-Gen Social Platform as a Senior Backend Engineer ❇️ Hi My Friend, I hope you are doing well. I just checked all of your project requirements and I can see you are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer. You have no need to look any further as Zohaib is here to help you! My team has successfully completed 50+ similar projects for backend systems. I will design the core architecture, create secure user management, and build efficient APIs to ensure a smooth user experience. ➡️ Why Me? I can easily do your backend development as I have 5 years of experience in Node.js, Python, and cloud services like AWS. My expertise includes building scalable APIs, user authentication systems, and real-time messaging solutions. Not only this, I have a strong grip on database design and cloud infrastructure management. ➡️ Let's have a quick chat to discuss your project in detail. I can show you samples of my previous work that highlight my skills in backend engineering. Looking forward to discussing with you in chat. ➡️ Skills & Experience: ✅ Node.js ✅ Python ✅ AWS ✅ Azure ✅ SQL ✅ NoSQL ✅ WebSockets ✅ API Development ✅ Microservices ✅ User Authentication ✅ Cloud Infrastructure ✅ Database Design Waiting for your response! Best Regards, Zohaib
$900 USD in 2 days
8.1
8.1

Hi — Elias here from Miami. I see you're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer for a remote position. This is a great opportunity, but I know the challenges that can come with it. Finding someone who not only understands the technical requirements but also fits well with your team can be tricky. Common issues I've seen in similar projects include misalignment on the tech stack and integration hurdles. Sometimes, teams overlook the importance of clear communication, especially when working with cloud services or different backend technologies. My approach is straightforward. I focus on understanding your project goals and then lay out a practical plan to tackle any potential roadblocks early. I emphasize collaboration to ensure we’re on the same page throughout the development process. To get a better grasp, could you share more about your current architecture? Also, what specific outcomes are you hoping to achieve in the first few months? Looking forward to hearing from you.
$1,000 USD in 6 days
8.1
8.1

With 5+ years building backend platforms, I can shape Have a Seat’s core into a scalable, secure Backend Development foundation. I will use Python for core services, with Node.js where appropriate, deployed on AWS/Azure/GCP with auto-scaling and IAM best practices. The 90-day MVP will deliver user accounts, authentication, profiles, messaging, groups, the table system, an admin dashboard, and a first API layer for Unity/Unreal room integration and the AI emotional engine. I’ll model relational and NoSQL data stores, implement real-time messaging (WebSockets), and lay the groundwork for modular microservices and safe moderation. I bring cloud DevOps, automation, and CI/CD discipline to ensure rapid, safe iterations. Security and privacy are central from day one: OAuth/JWT, least-privilege access, and regulatory considerations. I’m excited to partner long-term to turn your mission into a platform that scales with users and impact. What are your latency targets for real-time room interactions, and how should we balance data privacy across regions in the MVP?
$1,300 USD in 20 days
7.2
7.2

Hi there, We’ve built several social platforms with real-time features, including a community-driven product that integrated WebSockets for live discussions and notifications. We also developed a separate product that used AI to summarize discussions and send daily emails to users, ensuring they stayed engaged with relevant content. With over 15 years of experience, I’ve worked extensively with Node.js and Python, leading teams and delivering successful products. I’m well-versed in AWS and Azure, and I’ve built scalable systems that handle millions of users. Let’s schedule a 10-minute introductory call to discuss your project in more detail and see if I’m the right fit for your needs. I’m eager to learn more about your exciting venture. Best, Adil
$1,149.50 USD in 21 days
6.8
6.8

Having been in the software development industry for several years, my team at Web Crest is well-versed in architecting and building scalable, secure, and user-centric applications. We have extensive experience with backend development using Node.js, Python, and even more experience working with AWS, Azure, and GCP. This project aligns perfectly with our skillset and our previous involvement with AI-powered systems and messaging platforms further enhances our value proposition to Have a Seat. As the first technical hire in your venture, my expertise will extend beyond mere coding - I'm here to help shape the entire future of the platform. Our collaborative approach ensures that we understand your vision completely and can effectively translate it into technical architecture. We also guarantee documentation for easy onboarding of new engineering hires in the future. In addition to our technical acumen, Web Crest is a mission-driven team that firmly believes in building meaningful solutions. The idea of solving loneliness by creating an emotionally intelligent social platform greatly resonates with us, as does your hybrid non-profit mission. We genuinely aspire to build this project together on a long-term basis and are ready to offer our best - both in terms of reduced cash equity compensation and through a steadfast commitment to turning Have a Seat into a pioneering socio-emotional revolution. Let's connect!
$1,000 USD in 7 days
6.6
6.6

Hi Tina, Have a Seat’s mission resonates with me because loneliness is a real infrastructure problem, not just a content problem. I’d be interested in helping architect the backend foundation for a platform built around presence, tables, rooms, safety, and emotionally intelligent community rather than another passive feed. For the first 90 days, I’d focus on a clean modular backend: auth/user accounts, profiles, groups, table logic, real-time messaging/presence, admin tools, moderation hooks, and APIs for Unity/Unreal rooms plus the AI emotional engine. I’d recommend Node.js/NestJS or Python/FastAPI, PostgreSQL for core relational data, Redis for presence/session state, object storage for media, and WebSockets/PubSub for real-time behavior. Cloud-wise, AWS or GCP would both work depending on your budget and team preference. I’m comfortable working in a founding-engineer style role: translating product vision into architecture, documenting decisions, building the MVP cleanly, and leaving the system ready for future engineers. I can share resume, GitHub, and relevant backend/API examples privately. I’m open to discussing both contract-only and contract + equity paths. Question 1: Do you already have frontend/Unity prototypes, or should backend APIs be designed from scratch with mock clients first? Question 2: Is the MVP expected to support live video/audio tables, or text/presence-based tables first? Regards, Houssame
$1,125 USD in 7 days
6.5
6.5

Hello!, I am a Florida-based senior software engineer(frontend, backend, ecommerce, etc) with 15+ years of experience in Python, Node.js, cloud architecture, OAuth, NoSQL, and Azure. I read your Senior Backend Engineer post carefully, and the contract-to-partner setup with equity tells me this is a real build, not just a short task. What stood out is the mix of backend depth, cloud development, and Unreal Engine integration. That usually means solid architecture, clean auth, and reliable delivery matter a lot, and that is exactly where I do my best work. My approach would be: 1. Review the current stack, data flow, auth, and deployment setup 2. Identify any architecture gaps or integration risks 3. Build in phases so backend and cloud pieces stay stable 4. Test and document everything so scaling stays manageable Relevant work examples: - A Python/Node SaaS backend for workflow automation - A cloud-based auth and API platform on Azure - A NoSQL analytics service for a marketplace app - A real-time backend for a game-related companion tool Could you please clarify the following questions to help me better understand the project? 1. Is the Unreal Engine side already built, or should the backend contract be defined too? 2. Which Azure services are currently in use or preferred? 3. Is there an existing codebase and auth flow, or is this starting from scratch? If you want someone who actually reads the details and cares about getting the backend right, I’d be happy to chat. -James
$1,200 USD in 5 days
5.7
5.7

A contract-to-partner role with equity on the table usually means you're not just shipping features, you're helping decide what gets built and how it scales. That changes how I'd approach the early work. I've been the lead backend engineer on systems where those decisions mattered. At Coinread in London I ran 20+ microservices at fintech scale, and got response times under 100ms using Go and gRPC under heavy load. For an early-stage build, I'd start by keeping the architecture boring and observable. Solid CI/CD, monitoring wired in from day one, and services that are easy to reason about beat clever abstractions every time. That habit paid off before. Setting up Datadog and OpenTelemetry properly at Coinread cut our MTTR by 60%, which matters a lot when a small team is on call. I'm comfortable moving between building the code and talking through tradeoffs with founders and stakeholders, so the partner side of this fits how I already work. What does your backend stack look like right now, and which part is most urgent to move on first?
$750 USD in 7 days
5.6
5.6

I understand you're seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to help build Have a Seat, a connection-first social platform focused on replacing the feed with tables and rooms, powered by AI emotional architecture. My experience developing real-time, multi-user applications and integrating AI services directly aligns with your goal of creating an emotionally intelligent social platform. I successfully launched a similar platform that scaled to thousands of concurrent users while maintaining low latency. I will build out the core backend services for your virtual campus using Node.js and TypeScript, leveraging PostgreSQL for data persistence and Redis for real-time presence management and caching. This will include designing and implementing APIs for room creation, user management, and AI interaction, ensuring a performant and reliable foundation for your unique social experience. What is the current state of your AI emotional architecture integration, and what are the immediate priorities for its backend support? Ready to start as soon as you confirm scope.
$1,296 USD in 21 days
5.1
5.1

The riskiest part of a connection‑first social platform is not the chat pipe but keeping presence, identity, and the table state perfectly in sync across Unity/Unreal rooms and the AI emotional engine. If presence or session ownership drifts, emotional signals and moderation data get detached from the right user and the whole sense of belonging breaks. I’ve designed systems to prevent exactly that class of failure. My approach: deliver the 90‑day foundation by locking the core job flow first — secure accounts and profiles, deterministic session ownership, and a presence layer that ties socket connections, room state, and AI emotion events to one canonical user record. Technical pattern: small set of services for auth/profiles, presence/messaging, table/group logic, and AI/API gateways. Use WebSockets with Redis Pub/Sub for presence and horizontal scaling, PostgreSQL for relational graph (users, tables, groups) and Redis for ephemeral presence, and separate Python microservice endpoints for AI emotional processing. Admin dashboard and moderation hooks come online alongside these services so safety is enforceable from day one. Relevant project: Payroll Automation System — I built JWT auth with role detection, team management and an admin UI targeting 500 concurrent users with sub‑2s loads. That work maps to your needs for role-aware access, scalable APIs, and admin moderation tooling. Resume and GitHub are attached to this submission. Mission note: solving loneliness through thoughtful product architecture matters to me because community scale is only healthy when technical design preserves signal, privacy, and trust. Which path do you prefer, Option A (equity + reduced cash) or Option B (cash only)? Also, do you have an existing repo, API docs, or Figma for the table/room flow I can review to produce a precise 30/60/90 plan and firm timeline?
$1,125 USD in 7 days
4.8
4.8

With a market constantly evolving and demanding more emotional attachment to digital platforms, I know all about the challenges and rewards you'll face in building something as important as Have a Seat. My name is M Mobasher, and I bring over 5 years of invaluable backend engineering experience to the table. Proficient in Node.js, Python, and Go, I can build the secure authentication, messaging, group logic, tables and APIs for Unity/Unreal rooms that power the core of your platform. In addition to my technical proficiency in AWS/Azure/GCP and NoSQL/SQL architectures (essential for ensuring secure and organized data management), I can also leverage my experience with real-time systems to help develop messaging solutions for the rooms in your virtual campus. With my previous work on microservices or modular architecture, I will efficiently create scalable APIs that'll facilitate both platform growth and future engineer onboarding.
$1,125 USD in 3 days
4.3
4.3

I’ve built scalable social backends with Node.js, Python, and NoSQL on Azure, including real-time systems, OAuth, and microservices—so this is right in my wheelhouse. I’ll start with a modular architecture (FastAPI + PostgreSQL, Redis for pub/sub), implement JWT/OAuth2 for auth and presence tracking, then wire WebSocket rooms to Unity/Unreal via REST/GraphQL APIs. Safety systems will use Azure Cognitive Services for moderation, with admin dashboards in Next.js. Infrastructure will deploy via Terraform on AKS with auto-scaling, load balancers, and failover checks. I can start immediately.
$750 USD in 13 days
3.7
3.7

The equity offer is the tell here. A pre-revenue platform asking one person to build auth, real-time messaging, groups, tables, feed, moderation, an admin panel, cloud infra, and Unity/Unreal APIs plus an AI engine is enough scope for a small team, not a solo hire. I'd rather take the straight cash option than sort out vesting terms and a non-compete before either of me has proven the backend can carry that load. First milestone is the one that matters: auth, the core API surface, and a cloud-deployed foundation you can point a frontend or a Unity client at right away. Everything after (messaging, tables, groups, feed, moderation, admin, the AI engine hooks) builds on that base, so getting it solid early is what keeps the rest from turning into rework later. This is an indicative estimate from the brief. I'll firm up the milestone split once the tables mechanic and the AI engine's API contract are actually locked down. M1: Auth, core API, cloud-deployed foundation, $375, 3 days. M2: Real-time messaging and profiles, $450, 4 days. M3: Groups, tables feature, feed, $375, 4 days. M4: Safety and moderation, admin dashboard, Unity/Unreal and AI engine API stubs, $300, 3 days. Real-time messaging and the tables feature are where I'd want the tightest feedback loop, since those are the parts most likely to need a second pass once they're actually running. Is the tables feature turn-based or live, and is there already a Unity or Unreal prototype pulling from anything, or is that API surface still on paper?
$1,500 USD in 14 days
3.8
3.8

Hello Tina, Your vision for Have a Seat is inspiring, and I'd be excited to help build the backend foundation for a scalable, connection-first platform. I have 12+ years of experience designing distributed backend systems with Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Azure, AWS, OAuth/JWT, WebSockets, REST APIs, and microservice architectures. I've built secure authentication systems, real-time messaging platforms, cloud-native APIs, and scalable backend services that support thousands of concurrent users. I prioritize clean architecture, modular services, security, and documentation so the platform can grow with future engineering teams. I also have experience integrating AI services and collaborating across frontend, backend, and infrastructure. I'm comfortable with either the Contract + Equity or Cash Only option and can commit to being a long-term technical partner. I can begin immediately and help deliver the first 90-day roadmap with regular milestones and transparent communication. GitHub, resume, and portfolio are available upon request. Akif Muhammad
$1,000 USD in 7 days
3.3
3.3

Hi, This is the kind of platform where the backend architecture determines everything that comes after. I can design a scalable foundation with secure authentication, real time messaging, presence tracking, groups, tables, moderation, and APIs for Unity, AI services, and future mobile apps while keeping the architecture modular and ready to scale. I’ve built backend systems using Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL, NoSQL, WebSockets, REST APIs, JWT authentication, and cloud infrastructure for SaaS and real time applications. My approach is to establish a stable, well documented core first, then expand safely as new features and engineering teams are added. I’m open to discussing either a long term partnership or a contract based engagement. Best regards, George
$1,125 USD in 7 days
3.4
3.4

With over a decade in the software development industry, I bring seasoned expertise spanning from Backend and Frontend Web Development to Mobile App Development, Cloud Development with Microsoft Azure and Software Architecture. This vast knowledge base makes me the perfect fit to architect and build the core foundation of your innovative social platform, Have a Seat. My proficiency in Node.js, one of your preferred technologies, enables me to design secure authentication, development of real-time messaging and presence tracking for users in virtual rooms - symbiotic with the vital responsibilities of this role. I am adept in building scalable APIs, implementing load balancing and security best practices - elements crucial for ensuring data privacy and compliances. As a seasoned developer, I appreciate the importance of documentation for future teams; my demonstrated skill here certifies my accountability. I must underscore my interest in this project since I am intrigued by the idea of transforming social interaction to create belonging and tackle loneliness head-on. Thus, I would be genuinely excited and committed to going that extra mile to actualize Have a Seat's ambitious goal and build an emotionally intelligent social platform.
$1,500 USD in 12 days
3.3
3.3

I’ve helped launch scalable backend systems for social and community apps, focusing on real-time messaging, secure auth, and cloud infrastructure. For a previous client, I built a presence and messaging system that smoothly supported virtual room interactions—similar to your “tables” feature. To start, I’d design a modular backend with secure user management and real-time WebSocket support, making sure it scales efficiently on AWS or GCP. How are you currently envisioning authentication flow—OAuth, JWT, or both? Also, do you expect AI emotional engine calls to be synchronous or event-driven API requests? Given the foundational nature of this role, I’ll prioritize building clean, well-documented APIs that connect seamlessly to Unity rooms and your AI service. Early deployment on managed cloud with auto-scaling will ensure smooth launches and rapid iteration. Ready to jump in and help shape the architecture so Have a Seat can bring real emotional connection to online communities.
$1,500 USD in 7 days
2.9
2.9

As a 20-year veteran in the IT industry with extensive experience in backend development, I am confident that I can bring immense value to your project at Have a Seat. My proficiency in Node.js and Python aligns perfectly with your requirements, and my ability to design and build robust architecture for scalable social platforms will ensure a solid foundation for your vision. Additionally, my expertise extends to AWS, Azure, and GCP - cloud infrastructures you mentioned as key elements of the project. Working with startups is not new to me; on the contrary, it's what invigorates me the most. Over the years, I've had the privilege of partaking in many greenfield projects and building from scratch. It excites me that I'll be able to apply my experience of this nature to shape Have a Seat into a meaningful platform combating loneliness and fostering emotional connections. Looking beyond the present project, I'm attracted to your long-term partnership focus. As an owner of PureCode, I understand and appreciate the significance of loyalty and prolonged commitment in building a successful business. With reduced cash compensation, I'd gladly dedicate myself to this partnership while also ensuring utmost security and integrity of all intellectual property developed within our professional journey together.
$950 USD in 15 days
1.8
1.8

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