Co-Founder CTO

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer (CTO) — NodeTradeAbout NodeTrade: NodeTrade is an early-stage Web3 marketplace built for the Pi ecosystem, focused on real-world utility — making everyday commerce accessible to everyone, including people who lack traditional banking access. The platform spans a multi-vendor storefront, buyer and merchant experiences, and logistics/compliance tooling, organized into four functional areas: core identity and navigation, buyer experience, merchant operations, and logistics/compliance/admin. The UI/UX specification is complete (a 24-screen design system), and a live testnet build demonstrates the intended direction. The next phase is to turn that blueprint into a functional, deployed product people actually use. The Role: We are looking for a technical co-founder to lead the build end-to-end — architecture, front-end and back-end, and deployment. NodeTrade is built on a Web2 front-end / Web3 back-end architecture: a modern, responsive web interface paired with a decentralized, blockchain-oriented back end. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants to help shape a product from the foundation stage, partner on product and technical direction, and share in the venture's upside. It is an equity-based co-founder partnership, not a paid contract engagement. What We Expect From You as Co-Founder and CTO: You'll own the technical vision and the build — and you'll help shape how we get to market, not just how we write code. Concretely, that means: Defining and leading the technical architecture of the NodeTrade platform, spanning a Web2 front-end and a Web3, blockchain-oriented back end, from testnet through production.Building and maintaining the application's front-end on the Next.js / TypeScript / React stack, with back-end services in Node.js.Leading deployment and infrastructure, including containerization and cloud environments (Docker / AWS).Designing for a decentralized back end — evaluating blockchain integration, wallet and identity pathways, and how on-chain components are introduced progressively.Integrating the Pi Network SDK for authentication and testnet payment flows, and evaluating further ecosystem integrations.Establishing engineering standards, code quality practices, and pragmatic build-versus-buy decisions.Planning and delivering scoped milestones, shipping iteratively, and using feedback to guide the roadmap.Partnering with the founder on product priorities, feature planning, technical strategy — and on the path to funding.Guiding and mentoring engineering contributors, and supporting technical hiring as the team grows.Communicating progress, risks, and timelines clearly and honestly. How We Get There — Build First, Then Scale. We believe the most credible path to funding is a working product. So we start by building a scoped proof-of-concept or MVP you can put in front of potential investors — a real, functioning product rather than just an idea, which meaningfully improves the odds of attracting investment. In this first phase, the focus is the working front-end and a sandboxed integration pathway, with deeper on-chain and decentralized components phased in with proper review. As funding is secured, we develop and scale the platform together. Alongside that, we're open to working jointly on approaching investors and shaping the funding story, with your technical perspective informing how we present what we're building. The point is that we move together: proof first, credibility next, funding and scale after. As a co-founder, you're part of that journey end to end — not a hired pair of hands on one sprint. What Success Looks Like: A working, deployed platform grown from testnet into production; a clean, well-architected codebase spanning the front-end and a decentralized back end; reliable, iterative release cycles; investor-ready demonstrations grounded in a real product; and a genuine co-founder partnership that turns a completed blueprint into a trusted product real people use. The CTO sits at the center of the organization — leading engineering while collaborating on product, business, and funding direction — and shapes how the company builds and ships as it scales. What We're Looking For Proven, hands-on experience building production web applications in JavaScript/TypeScript, React, and Next.js.Strong back-end experience with Node.js.Comfortable deploying and operating applications with Docker and cloud services (AWS or similar).Experience designing scalable, maintainable architectures and leading a build end-to-end.A builder's mindset — comfortable starting with a scoped V1 and growing it iteratively.Clear, gender-neutral communication and collaboration skills; able to work closely in a co-founder partnership.Bonus: experience with blockchain / decentralized architecture and smart-contract ecosystems (relevant as on-chain components are introduced).Bonus: experience with Pi Network or Web3 technologies.Bonus: prior mobile experience (Kotlin/Swift) for future expansion.Bonus: experience in a startup or early-stage environment. Beyond Skills: We're looking for someone who wants to own the technical vision, not just execute tickets — who communicates candidly, makes pragmatic decisions, and is energized by building something with real social utility. Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to turn a blueprint into a working product step by step matter more than a perfect résumé. Tech Stack and Environment Front-end (Web2): Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS — responsive dual-viewport (mobile and desktop).Back-end / Web3: Node.js services plus a decentralized, blockchain-oriented architecture; Pi Network SDK integration (testnet first), with on-chain and decentralized components introduced progressively.Infrastructure: Docker, AWS.Design system: fixed tokens (dark obsidian/charcoal canvas, electric-teal accents). How We'll Work Together: We start with a small, scoped first milestone so both sides can confirm the working partnership before formalizing anything longer-term. Delivery is milestone-based, with weekly check-ins, clear scope, and honest communication. We value iterative shipping — get something real working, then improve it. Equity and ownership are worked out fairly and documented properly with the appropriate professional counsel. Location and Working Style: Dubai-based project with a global-first mindset. Remote-friendly and time-zone flexible — we care about outcomes, not hours.To apply, please include: Your GitHub or examples of your code.One or two Next.js / React / TypeScript projects (repository or live link).Your experience with Node.js and AWS/Docker.Any blockchain / Web3 experience (a plus).A short note on why a co-founder role — with shared ownership — interests you.