Mobile & Web Engineering Lead

Job Description We are looking for a talented and entrepreneurial Mobile & Web Engineering Lead to join our growing technology team. The Mobile & Web Engineering Lead will oversee the development of high-quality mobile and web applications, ensuring a seamless, reliable, and engaging user experience across platforms. This individual will collaborate closely with software engineers, product stakeholders, and company leadership to translate product requirements into technical solutions. The ideal candidate combines strong software development expertise with technical leadership, a product-oriented mindset, and the ability to work independently in a fast-moving startup environment. The role requires hands-on development, architectural decision-making, code reviews, and collaboration across frontend, backend, and mobile engineering initiatives. This is an equity-only, fractional role ideal for someone who thrives in fast-moving, high-growth environments Department: Technology & Product Reports to: Chief Innovation Officer, Location: Chicago, Illinois Who We Are Our team's digital inventiveness and mobile location expertise creates brand stories that produce results. We are seasoned professionals who have worked in marketing, technology, mobile, and beyond. Our skills include Micro-fencing, mobile strategy, data analytics, and more. Key Responsibilities THIS POSITION WILL ENTAIL: Lead the design, development, testing, and maintenance of mobile applications for iOS and Android.Develop cross-platform mobile solutions using frameworks such as React Native or comparable technologies.Establish mobile development standards that promote performance, scalability, security, and maintainability.Optimize application responsiveness, usability, accessibility, and compatibility across devices.Integrate mobile applications with backend services, APIs, databases, and third-party platforms.Support application deployment, release management, monitoring, and ongoing improvements.Lead the development of responsive, user-friendly web applications and digital experiences.Build and maintain modern frontend applications using React, JavaScript/TypeScript, and related technologies.Collaborate with backend developers to integrate APIs, authentication services, and data-driven functionality.Ensure consistent user experiences across desktop, tablet, and mobile environments.Improve web application performance, accessibility, reliability, and cross-browser compatibility.Contribute to reusable components, shared design systems, and maintainable frontend architecture.Establish coding standards, development practices, documentation requirements, and code review processes.Make informed technical decisions regarding frameworks, application architecture, integrations, and development tools.Guide the implementation of scalable and maintainable solutions aligned with the company's product roadmap.Identify technical challenges, troubleshoot complex issues, and recommend effective solutions.Promote automated testing, continuous integration, continuous deployment, and version control best practices.Collaborate with backend and infrastructure engineers to ensure reliable end-to-end application performance.Support the integration of location intelligence, geolocation, mapping, and location-aware functionality into mobile and web applications.Work with location services, mapping APIs, and geospatial data where required by product features.Help deliver accurate, responsive, and intuitive location-based user experiences.Ensure appropriate consideration of user privacy, data security, permissions, and responsible handling of location information.Partner with company leadership and product stakeholders to define requirements, technical specifications, and development priorities.Translate product concepts and user needs into actionable engineering plans.Estimate development effort, establish milestones, and communicate progress and potential risks.Mentor developers, share technical knowledge, and support collaborative problem-solving.Participate in technical planning, sprint reviews, product demonstrations, and continuous improvement initiatives. Desired Skills Qualifications What You Bring: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.5+ years of professional software development experience building and maintaining mobile and/or web applications.2+ years of technical leadership or project leadership experience, including guiding developers, reviewing code, or coordinating engineering delivery.Strong proficiency in JavaScript and TypeScript, with experience using modern web development frameworks such as React.Experience developing mobile applications using React Native, native iOS/Android technologies, or comparable cross-platform frameworks.Working knowledge of RESTful APIs, backend integrations, authentication, databases, and application architecture.Familiarity with Git-based version control, automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development workflows.Understanding responsive design, accessibility, application performance, and user experience principles.Ability to troubleshoot technical issues, evaluate trade-offs, and deliver maintainable software solutions.Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently in a remote, early-stage startup environment. What You Get Equity-based opportunity to build and lead the global talent engine at Digital Factory.Strategic seat at the table, shaping how we grow and who we bring into the business.Partnership with executive leadership on workforce design and scaling strategy.A creative, inclusive culture that values innovation, clarity, and purpose. Compensation This is an equity-only, fractional opportunity. There is no salary or hourly compensation at this time. At Digital Factory, we’re committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Digital Factory believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Digital Factory is an Equal Opportunity Employer