Lead Developer (EOI – Late 2026)

About the Role

RUC on Rails is building a consumer-focused ecosystem ahead of New Zealand’s transition to full digital Road User Charges.

We operate four platforms:

• RUC Pass – OTC retail distribution product

• RUC Warehouse – Bulk purchasing platform

• RUC Compare – Provider comparison marketplace

• RUC Hub – Information and data platform

All core infrastructure is already built and running in production. The architecture, transaction logic, and supporting systems are established. The next phase is about strengthening, refining, and preparing the platform for scale.

We are inviting expressions of interest from experienced developers who may be interested in stepping into a Lead Developer role as we move into late 2026 and beyond.

This role reports to the CTO and works closely with the CEO & executive leadership team. It carries responsibility across frontend, backend, and infrastructure, while also leading a small and growing team of developers.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading development across RUC Pass, RUC Warehouse, and RUC Compare

• Providing technical direction and oversight to a small team of developers

• Maintaining and improving our AWS-based serverless architecture

• Strengthening security, resilience, and performance

• Protecting settlement accuracy and transactional integrity

• Translating commercial priorities into disciplined technical execution

• Establishing and maintaining engineering standards as the team grows

We are intentionally lean. Ownership sits close to execution, and senior engineers are expected to operate with autonomy and sound judgement.

Technical Environment

Our stack includes:

• AWS (Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, Cognito, CloudFront, S3)

• TypeScript and modern JavaScript

• React / Next.js

• Serverless architecture

• CI/CD workflows

• Proprietary internal systems

• LLM-assisted development workflows, including agentic tooling

You should be comfortable working across layers and confident taking responsibility for system-level outcomes.

Core Experience

• 5+ years experience building and maintaining production-grade systems

• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring developers in a delivery environment

• Strong experience with React and modern frontend architecture

• Deep working knowledge of AWS serverless infrastructure (Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, Cognito, etc.)

• Experience designing secure, transaction-focused systems

• Strong understanding of authentication models, API security, and data integrity

• Experience owning projects end-to-end, from architecture decisions through deployment

• Ability to make commercially sound technical decisions balancing performance, cost, and risk

• Confidence using AI tooling and LLM-driven workflows to increase engineering efficiency

Highly Regarded

• Familiarity with New Zealand’s Road User Charges system or similar usage-based charging models

• Experience in transport, logistics, fleet systems, or regulated operational environments

• Experience working with payment flows, settlement logic, or compliance-driven platforms

• Experience optimising AWS cost structures at scale

• Infrastructure as Code experience

• Experience building internal tooling to support operational teams

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals with domain awareness. They understand that infrastructure supporting financial transactions and regulatory processes carries real-world consequences.

Applicants must be based in New Zealand. Dunedin is preferred due to our office location, though remote arrangements within NZ may be considered for exceptional candidates.

• $100,000+ NZD salary depending on experience

• Potential equity participation

• Flexible working hours

• Work-from-home flexibility

• Competitive leave entitlements

• Staff discounts across all RUC platforms

• Discounts on RUC purchasing

• Direct involvement in a nationally significant transition

Our Approach

We are a focused, execution-driven team building for long-term scale. We value capability, reliability, and clarity of thinking.

We welcome expressions of interest from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences who believe they can contribute meaningfully to what we are building.