Backend Engineer (Freelance)

Make • Dallas, TX

2d • Remote

About The Position

Make is seeking a freelance Backend Engineer for a short-term contract. The role is remote and requires full-time availability through the end of the contract, with availability for meetings in Central Time and at least 2–3 hours of daily overlap.

The engineer will join an AI-first team to build and maintain backend services using TypeScript and Node.js, integrate with third-party APIs and external data services, and produce clean, readable, well-tested code. AI tools are used daily to support development, debugging, refactoring, and documentation without compromising quality. The role calls for proactive communication and ownership in a remote-first, asynchronous environment, including identifying and addressing bugs, performance bottlenecks, and architectural risks.

Make is an AI-first design and engineering agency based in Texas with team members worldwide. The company describes its team as autonomous and ownership-driven, and values proactive communication, autonomy, initiative, and a strong culture.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of backend experience.
• At least 2 years of Node.js experience.
• Hands-on experience using Cursor, Claude Code, or Codex.
• Hands-on experience building at least one large-scale system from scratch.
• Excellent communication skills and comfort working asynchronously in a remote environment.
• A proactive, ownership-driven mindset, including raising problems early and helping solve them.
• Comfort working independently and managing priorities and complexity.
• Full-time availability through the end of the contract.
• Availability for meetings in Central Time, with at least 2–3 hours of daily overlap.

Nice To Haves

• An AI-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain backend services using TypeScript and Node.js.
• Integrate backend functionality with third-party APIs and external data services.
• Write clean, readable, and well-tested code.
• Use AI tools daily for development, debugging, refactoring, and documentation workflows while maintaining quality.
• Communicate progress, blockers, and risks proactively while working with engineers in a remote-first environment.
• Identify bugs, performance bottlenecks, and architectural risks early, and take ownership of solutions.
• Manage priorities and complexity independently in a 100% operational role.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed