About the Project
We are building an innovative AA-quality indie RPG, Hanzi Heroes, that teaches Chinese language to diaspora kids. The game is completely different from a standard flashcard app, as it deeply integrates Chinese morphology into the gameplay mechanics. We run a hyper-agile, AI-assisted development pipeline.
We have successfully built and validated our core mechanics, engine logic, and art assets in a web-based prototype. Now, we are completely rewriting the game into a high-performance React Native application. We need an integration and mobile expert to lead this architectural shift, optimize the new native client, and deploy it to the world.
The Role
As our Lead Engineer, you will be the technical anchor of a small strike team. You will leverage AI tools to rapidly translate and refactor our existing web-based logic into a flawless, high-performance React Native ecosystem. You will own the client rebuild, the deployment pipelines, and the backend architecture that powers the cross-platform experience.
Core Responsibilities
- Native Rebuild & Deployment: Lead the migration of our existing web-based codebase into a high-performance React Native app (iOS and Android), and potentially package it for PC. Own the entire App Store, Google Play, and Steam review and launch processes.
- Backend & Security: Architect a robust backend to handle dual user-role control (Parent accounts managing Child profiles). Ensure strict data privacy and compliance with international kids' regulations (COPPA / GDPR-K).
- Cross-Platform Sync & Monetization: Implement robust local-first data caching for offline play, with seamless cloud-syncing for cross-device progression. Integrate subscription management infrastructure (e.g., RevenueCat/Stripe) across all platforms.
- Responsive UI/UX: Ensure the game's beautiful React Native UI components scale flawlessly across iPhones, Android tablets, iPads, and varying PC monitor aspect ratios without breaking the "AA studio" immersion.
- CI/CD Pipeline Setup: Build an automated deployment pipeline (e.g., EAS, Fastlane) so the Founder can push gameplay updates directly to testing devices with zero friction.
Requirements (Must-Haves)
- Deep React Native Expertise: Proven experience building and deploying complex, highly interactive native applications using React Native (Expo or bare workflow).
- AI-Native Workflow: You must be highly proficient in using AI-assisted coding tools (Cursor, Copilot, Claude, Antigravity) to accelerate your output. You will use these tools to rapidly translate existing web logic into RN components. We value speed and leverage over traditional coding dogma.
- Backend & Infrastructure: Strong backend architecture experience (Firebase, Supabase, AWS, or similar) with a focus on secure authentication and offline-first data syncing.
- Store Bureaucracy Navigation: Experience navigating the bureaucratic nightmare of Apple App Store and Google Play provisioning, certificates, and compliance reviews.
Bonus Points (Nice-to-Haves)
- Experience building interactive or game-like experiences in React Native (e.g., utilizing React Native Skia, Reanimated, or React Native Game Engine).
- Deep knowledge of React Native performance optimization, memory profiling, and ensuring smooth 60fps animations on older mobile devices (or the management skills to direct a specialist contractor to do so).
- Experience working in EdTech, specifically with COPPA compliance.
Why Join Us?
You will not be stuck in endless sprint planning meetings. You will be working directly with the solo founder in a fast, fluid, AI-driven environment. You are coming in at a pivotal transition stage to take a fully validated, beautiful game and engineer its definitive native version to put into the hands of players globally.
