Software Development Partner Required – Long-Term Engagement

# Software Development Partner Required – Long-Term Engagement

We are looking for an **established software development company / technology partner** to work with us on an existing **production SaaS application**.

We are initially looking for **one dedicated full-stack developer** for a **6-month engagement**, with the expectation of building a **long-term development partnership** beyond the initial 6 months.

We are specifically looking for an organization rather than an individual freelancer so that there is **continuity, accountability, and backup technical support** if the assigned developer is unavailable.

## Current Technology Stack

### Frontend
- React.js
- Next.js
- JavaScript / HTML / CSS
- Responsive web application development

### Backend
- Node.js
- RESTful APIs
- API integration and development
- Authentication and authorization
- Background processing / scheduled jobs

### Database
- MySQL 8
- Database design and maintenance
- Complex SQL queries
- Query optimization and performance tuning
- Data migration and data integrity

### Server / Infrastructure
- Linux / Ubuntu
- Nginx
- PM2
- Application deployment and troubleshooting
- Server/application log analysis
- Basic server monitoring and troubleshooting

### Development & Deployment
- Git
- GitHub
- GitHub Actions
- CI/CD pipelines
- Branching and release management
- Production deployments and rollback procedures

### Third-Party Integrations
The application communicates with multiple external systems through APIs and data feeds.

Experience with the following will be valuable:
- eCommerce platforms
- Marketplace APIs
- ERP/CRM integrations
- REST APIs
- Authentication mechanisms such as API keys, OAuth, tokens, etc.
- FTP/SFTP based integrations
- Scheduled data synchronization
- Large product/catalog data processing

## Initial Scope

### Month 1 – Codebase Understanding, Bug Fixes & Stabilization

The first month will primarily focus on understanding the existing application and addressing the current backlog of issues.

The developer will be expected to:

- Understand the existing architecture and codebase
- Set up and work within the existing development environment
- Review existing application functionality
- Investigate and fix existing bugs
- Troubleshoot API and integration issues
- Address database-related issues
- Resolve production/stability issues
- Improve code where required as part of bug fixing
- Document important findings and changes

We do **not** expect the developer to simply start fixing tickets without understanding the application architecture.

### Months 2–6 – Maintenance & Ongoing Development

After the initial stabilization period, the engagement will move into ongoing maintenance and development.

Activities may include:

- Production application support
- Bug fixing and troubleshooting
- Performance improvements
- Application enhancements
- UI changes
- Backend/API changes
- Database changes
- Third-party API/integration changes
- New features
- New integrations
- Refactoring existing functionality where required
- Deployment and release support

The developer will be utilized for **development work as required**, so this is not intended to be a passive maintenance/support role.

## What We Expect From the Development Partner

We are looking for a company that can gradually become familiar with the application and provide **continuity over the long term**.

The assigned developer should be able to:

- Work independently
- Understand an existing codebase quickly
- Troubleshoot problems rather than only implement predefined solutions
- Take ownership of assigned development work
- Communicate clearly about progress and blockers
- Follow good coding and development practices
- Write maintainable and production-ready code
- Understand the impact of changes across frontend, backend, database and integrations

The development company should also have the ability to provide a **backup developer/resource** if the primary developer is unavailable.

## Ideal Company

We would prefer a company that:

- Has experience maintaining existing SaaS products
- Has a stable development team
- Can provide a dedicated developer for the engagement
- Has senior technical oversight available when required
- Can provide backup support
- Is interested in building a long-term relationship rather than a short-term project
- Has experience working with production applications and live customers

## Proposal Requirements

Please provide:

1. Company profile and years in business
2. Number of developers in your team
3. Proposed developer's experience and skill set
4. Experience with React.js / Next.js
5. Experience with Node.js
6. Experience with MySQL
7. Experience with Linux/Nginx/PM2
8. GitHub/GitHub Actions and CI/CD experience
9. Experience with third-party API integrations
10. Relevant SaaS/eCommerce projects you have worked on
11. Examples of similar applications you currently maintain
12. Proposed developer's availability
13. Backup/support arrangement if the assigned developer is unavailable
14. Monthly or hourly commercial proposal
15. Earliest possible start date

## Engagement

**Initial commitment:** 6 months

**Starting team:** 1 dedicated developer

**Long-term:** We are looking to build a continuing development partnership that can grow beyond the initial 6-month engagement based on performance, requirements and mutual fit.

If your company is primarily focused on short-term project delivery and does not provide ongoing development/maintenance support, this opportunity may not be a good fit.