The Role Principal Engineer responsible for architecting, building, testing, deploying, and operating full-stack TypeScript applications. The role leads React and Next.js front ends, Node.js services, APIs, cloud infrastructure, integrations, databases, CI/CD, observability, security, and AI capabilities. It owns products end to end, establishes engineering standards, partners with creative and operations teams, and provides technical leadership on client projects. Strong autonomy, communication, architecture, and production operations skills are required. Summary Generated by Built In

WHO WE ARE

We're Hook, an award-winning creative content agency. With a collaborative, maker-centric team, and an emphasis on production-led design, we make ads, campaigns, and experiences that drive growth for the world's most innovative brands. Our mission is to integrate creative and production to help grow brands faster. But we believe what's most important are the people who work with us and the experience they have along the way. We want clients to think of us as the best agency they've ever worked with, and we want everyone at Hook to feel like this is the best job they've had yet.

THE ROLE

We're looking for a senior full-stack engineer who lives in TypeScript. You write clean, well-typed, well-tested TypeScript on both sides of the stack — React and Next.js on the front end, Node.js services and APIs on the back end — and you deploy and operate what you build on Google Cloud or AWS. As a Principal Engineer, you'll own Hook's internal applications and platform end to end: architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, and long-term health. You're self-directed, comfortable owning complex products from first idea through continued development, and you make confident architectural decisions without needing a roadmap handed to you. When a client project needs a strong technical lead, you step in with that same ownership mindset.

OUR STACK

Language:

TypeScript, end to end Front end: React, Next.

js Back end:

Node.js, Express (or similar: Fastify, NestJS, Hono),

REST and GraphQL APIs Cloud:

Google Cloud Platform and AWS (serverless, containers, managed databases, queues, storage), plus

Vercel Data:

PostgreSQL / relational databases and document stores (Firestore, MongoDB, or similar)

Tooling:

Docker, CI/CD (GitHub Actions or similar), modern TypeScript tooling (Vite, Vitest/Jest, ESLint, pnpm/npm workspaces)

AI:

LLM APIs and AI-assisted development (Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot)

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Architect, build, and ship production full-stack web applications in TypeScript, from React/Next.js front ends to Node.js services and APIs Design and own back-end services, APIs, and integrations with third-party platforms Deploy, operate, and monitor applications on Google Cloud or AWS, including infrastructure, CI/CD, task queues, observability, security, and cost Own product areas end to end: problem discovery, technical design, implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing improvement Partner with creative, production, and operations teams to understand their workflows and turn them into reliable, well-designed software Integrate AI capabilities (LLM APIs, agents, automation) into the applications you build Set the technical bar: drive code review, testing standards, documentation, and best practices Serve as technical lead on select client web projects and occasionally direct freelance developers Evaluate and recommend tools, frameworks, and approaches as Hook's needs evolve

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with at least 5 years writing production TypeScript/JavaScript as your primary language

Expert-level TypeScript:

advanced types and generics, strict-mode codebases, type-safe API contracts, and a strong grasp of the JavaScript runtime (event loop, async patterns, modules, gotchas) Deep Node.

js experience:

building and maintaining production HTTP APIs and back-end services with Express or a comparable framework, including auth, validation, error handling, background jobs, and performance Deep React expertise: component architecture, hooks, state management, data fetching, and performance optimization for complex, highly interactive, multi-user applications, CSS solutions Production Next.

js experience:

App Router, server components, server-side rendering, routing, and caching Strong hands-on Google Cloud Platform or AWS experience — you have personally deployed and operated production applications, not just consumed them.

For example:

GCP:

Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, Cloud SQL, Firestore, Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage, IAM AWS:

Lambda, ECS/Fargate, RDS, Dynamo

DB, SQS/SNS, S3, IAM

Containers and delivery: Docker for development and production, CI/CD pipelines, and environment/secrets management

Databases:

strong SQL (PostgreSQL or similar) and working knowledge of document databases, including schema design and query performance Testing discipline: unit, integration, and end-to-end testing (e.g., Vitest/Jest, Playwright) as a normal part of how you ship Software engineering fundamentals: you write secure, reliable, maintainable code and make well-reasoned architectural trade-offs without over-engineering AI-assisted development: you use tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or Copilot fluently, while remaining the expert owner of system design and code quality Clear communication: you can explain architecture to engineers and the same ideas, plainly, to creatives, producers, and clients Ownership and autonomy: you thrive with ambiguity, set your own direction, and see work through to production and beyond

NICE TO HAVE

Infrastructure as code (Terraform, Pulumi, or AWS CDK) Experience building internal tools, workflow automation, or developer/creative productivity platforms Familiarity with plugin or extension development for creative tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe UXP) — in TypeScript Python or Bash for scripting and automation Experience with LLM APIs, AI agents, or AI-powered product features Experience working in an agency, studio, or other creatively driven, fast-paced environment Open-source contributions

WHAT ELSE

Qualified applicants will include a resume, a statement of interest that lets us learn a little more about you, and code samples — a link to your public GitHub or other examples of your work. Please include TypeScript work (React/Next.js and/or Node.js) where possible. Be prepared to discuss your code in depth as part of the interview process. At Hook we value what makes everyone different, we look for the best talent no matter the background. We know that great work requires diverse perspectives which is why we strive to create a place of belonging where everyone can express who they are. Come join us! Hook believes in compensation transparency and equity. We've designed a 10-level advancement framework that's applied consistently across disciplines and departments and aligns to location-based salary ranges. This role is leveled as L7. During the interview process we'll review your location, skills, experience, and other relevant factors to determine where you fall within our leveling framework and corresponding salary ranges. Please follow this link to learn more. Please review our Transparent Compensation Philosophy. We are not currently considering candidates in the Tier 4 market band for this role at this time. Read Full Description Skills Required 8+ years of professional software engineering experience At least 5 years writing production TypeScript or JavaScript as a primary language Expert-level TypeScript, including advanced types, generics, strict-mode codebases, and type-safe API contracts Deep Node.js experience building production HTTP APIs and backend services Experience with Express or a comparable backend framework Deep React expertise, including component architecture, hooks, state management, data fetching, and performance optimization Production Next.js experience with App Router, server components, server-side rendering, routing, and caching Hands-on Google Cloud Platform or AWS experience deploying and operating production applications Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and environment and secrets management experience Strong SQL and PostgreSQL or similar relational database experience Working knowledge of document databases and schema design and query performance Unit, integration, and end-to-end testing experience Secure, reliable, maintainable software engineering practices and sound architectural judgment Fluent use of AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, or Copilot Clear communication with engineers, creatives, producers, and clients Ownership, autonomy, and ability to work effectively with ambiguity Infrastructure as code experience with Terraform, Pulumi, or AWS CDK Experience building internal tools, workflow automation, or productivity platforms Plugin or extension development for creative tools such as Figma or Adobe UXP Python or Bash scripting and automation experience Experience with LLM APIs, AI agents, or AI-powered product features Experience in an agency, studio, or creatively driven environment Open-source contributions View all jobs at Hook View Hook Profile Report Job