About TouchStone:
TouchStone delivers comprehensive paid canvassing and paid media services for political organizations. We execute professional canvassing services and strategic media campaigns—all powered by our innovative software. With support from Progressive Turnout Project, the nation's largest grassroots-funded voter contact organization, this platform is more than just a tool—it's part of a mission to build lasting progressive power, one conversation at a time.
About the Position:
Touchstone Vote is seeking a talented Backend Developer (Contract Position) to enhance platform stability, optimize performance, and complete critical backend features for our production application serving 1M+ voter records. From December 2025 - January 31, 2026 with the possibility for extension.
The Backend Developer will work closely with our Chief Technology Partner and Senior Engineer to build and maintain Firebase Cloud Functions, optimize large-scale data processing pipelines, implement security rules, and develop API endpoints for our political canvassing campaign management platform.
This is a remote contract position offering $4,500-5,000 per month, with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on civic technology and voter engagement.
Develop and maintain Firebase Cloud Functions (callable functions and storage triggers) for complex operations including voter data uploads, territory creation and assignment, and survey result processing
Optimize large-scale data processing pipelines handling 1M+ voter records with advanced geocoding, address normalization, and household ordering algorithms
Implement and refine Firestore security rules, resolving outstanding security TODOs and ensuring proper role-based access control across collections
Build and enhance API endpoints in the Next.js 15 backend for admin and mobile applications
Improve TypeScript type safety across the backend codebase (service layers, Cloud Functions, data models)
Work with geospatial algorithms including territory optimization, household route ordering (3-tier sorting algorithm), and Google Maps / MapBox Geocoding API integration
Develop testing infrastructure for Cloud Functions and API endpoints
Maintain service layer architecture following established patterns
Contribute to technical documentation including API docs, data models, and architecture guides
Collaborate cross-functionally using Firebase, Google Cloud Platform, GitHub, Trello, and Slack to manage feedback, updates, and releases
Debug and resolve backend issues ensuring data integrity, performance, and reliability for production campaigns
Backend: Firebase Cloud Functions (Node.js 22), TypeScript 5, Next.js 15 API routes
Database: Firestore with custom security rules
Infrastructure: Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Firebase Authentication, Firebase Storage, Firebase App Check
Geospatial: Google Maps Geocoding API, territory boundary management (migration to MapBox)
Tools: GitHub, Firebase CLI, npm 11+, Firebase emulators
Deployment: Firebase App Hosting
Qualifications:
Strong TypeScript proficiency with experience in large-scale applications and strict type safety
Proven experience with Firebase Cloud Functions including both callable functions and trigger-based functions (Firestore/Storage)
Node.js expertise (Node.js 22 experience preferred)
Firestore experience including data modeling, queries, and security rules implementation
Experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services and Firebase ecosystem
Hands-on experience with geospatial applications, specifically Google Maps API, geocoding, and address parsing/normalization
Understanding of database security rules and role-based access control patterns
Experience with large-scale data processing (1M+ records) and performance optimization
Proficiency with GitHub for version control, code review, and team-based development
Strong debugging skills for complex backend systems and data processing pipelines
Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with engineers and non-technical partners through Slack, Trello, and similar tools
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and remote environment
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with Next.js server-side API development
Familiarity with civic engagement technologies and voter data platforms such as NGP VAN, PDI, or EveryAction
Experience with Firebase App Check and security best practices
Knowledge of testing frameworks for Cloud Functions (Jest, Mocha, etc.)
Understanding of API design and documentation practices
Experience with address parsing algorithms and household ordering optimization
Background working with mission-driven organizations or civic tech products
Experience with Firebase emulators for local development and testing
A strong eye for detail and commitment to code quality
Experience building robust, scalable backend systems
The ability to work with complex data models and hierarchical structures
Problem-solving skills for geospatial and optimization challenges
A collaborative mindset and clear communication style
Passion for civic engagement and mission-driven technology
To Apply:
To apply, please email your resume to hr@touchstone.vote as well as 2-3 times you are available to interview next week