Full-Stack FastAPI Developer for Recipe Exchange Platform
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
We are developing an ambitious international platform for highly structured recipe exchange and nutritional data management. So far away from a „normal recipe page“, much more technical. Our goal is to create the best software tool for this purpose, enabling users to manage, share, optimize, and calculate detailed recipe information. This includes features like deep recipe versioning, automatic nutrition calculation, community contributions (especially for nutritional data), and planned AI integration for recipe import and analysis. This is a social non-profit project aimed at providing a high-quality, open resource for food enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Current Status & Role:
We have an existing backend codebase built with FastAPI, SQLModel, and PostgreSQL, managed with Alembic migrations. Core models for users, recipes (with a detailed structure), reference data (units, actions, etc.), and a foundational nutrition data subsystem are implemented. Basic APIs for user management, recipe CRUD (via JSON upload), versioning, and saving recipes are functional. Comprehensive technical and conceptual documentation is available.
Our previous developer had to leave the project for personal reasons. We are now looking for a talented and dedicated developer to take over and continue the development. Ideally, you are a full-stack developer capable of handling both backend and potentially frontend tasks (Next.js), although strong FastAPI expertise is the most critical requirement.
Responsibilities:
• Familiarize yourself with the existing codebase, architecture, and documentation.
• Continue backend development based on the defined technical concepts and feature requirements.
• Implement missing API features, including:
o Advanced recipe filtering and searching.
o Recipe list management (creation, sharing, permissions).
o Backend logic for community features (reviews, comments, user interactions).
o APIs for managing user nutritional preferences.
o Implementation of the sub-recipe linking mechanism.
o Implementation of the mapping between recipe ingredient IDs and the nutrition subsystem's food item model.
o Building the automatic nutrition calculation engine.
o Implementing backend logic for AI integration (connecting user's external AI via API keys for import, using a central AI for nutrition data mapping).
o Developing recipe export functionality (PDF, Excel, etc.).
o Refining role-based authorization.
• Collaborate with the project lead (expert in recipe structuring and nutrition) to ensure accurate implementation of domain logic.
• Potentially contribute to frontend development (Next.js) or work closely with a separate frontend developer.
• Maintain code quality, write tests, and manage database migrations (Alembic).
• Employ efficient development practices, leveraging modern tools including the latest AI code assistants (like GitHub Copilot or Cursor with Sonnett 3.7, ChatGPT 3o-mini-high, Grok3 or Gemini 2.5 pro) to optimize development time and resource usage, which is crucial for our non-profit nature.
Required Skills:
• Expert level Python programming.
• Proven, strong experience with FastAPI.
• Solid understanding and experience with SQLModel or SQLAlchemy/Pydantic.
• Proficiency with PostgreSQL databases.
• Experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs.
• Proficiency with Git version control.
• Ability to understand and work with complex data models and relational databases.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently based on detailed specifications.
Desirable Skills:
• Frontend development experience, particularly with Next.js.
• Experience with Alembic for database migrations.
• Experience with Docker and containerization.
• Experience with cloud platforms (Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is conceptually planned).
• Experience integrating with external APIs, especially AI services (LLMs like ChatGPT/Gemini).
• Experience using AI-powered code generation/assistance tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor).
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions planned).
• Experience working on non-profit or open-source projects.
What We Provide:
• Access to the current codebase on a Git repository.
• Comprehensive technical documentation detailing concepts, architecture, existing code, and future plans.
• Direct communication and clarification with the project lead (domain expert).
• The opportunity to contribute significantly to a unique and ambitious non-profit project with international scope.
A Note on Efficiency:
As a non-profit project aiming to deliver significant value without generating revenue, efficient use of development time is paramount. We highly encourage and expect the use of modern tools, including AI code assistants, to maximize productivity and focus efforts on building the unique features of this platform.
How to Apply:
If you are a skilled developer with strong FastAPI experience and are passionate about contributing to a meaningful non-profit project, we encourage you to apply. Please include in your application:
1. A brief description of your relevant experience, specifically highlighting your FastAPI projects.
2. Your approach to understanding and continuing an existing project.
3. Confirmation of your willingness and ability to leverage AI coding tools for efficiency.
4. Your availability and estimated hourly rate.
5. Any questions you might have about the project.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Current Status & Role:
We have an existing backend codebase built with FastAPI, SQLModel, and PostgreSQL, managed with Alembic migrations. Core models for users, recipes (with a detailed structure), reference data (units, actions, etc.), and a foundational nutrition data subsystem are implemented. Basic APIs for user management, recipe CRUD (via JSON upload), versioning, and saving recipes are functional. Comprehensive technical and conceptual documentation is available.
Our previous developer had to leave the project for personal reasons. We are now looking for a talented and dedicated developer to take over and continue the development. Ideally, you are a full-stack developer capable of handling both backend and potentially frontend tasks (Next.js), although strong FastAPI expertise is the most critical requirement.
Responsibilities:
• Familiarize yourself with the existing codebase, architecture, and documentation.
• Continue backend development based on the defined technical concepts and feature requirements.
• Implement missing API features, including:
o Advanced recipe filtering and searching.
o Recipe list management (creation, sharing, permissions).
o Backend logic for community features (reviews, comments, user interactions).
o APIs for managing user nutritional preferences.
o Implementation of the sub-recipe linking mechanism.
o Implementation of the mapping between recipe ingredient IDs and the nutrition subsystem's food item model.
o Building the automatic nutrition calculation engine.
o Implementing backend logic for AI integration (connecting user's external AI via API keys for import, using a central AI for nutrition data mapping).
o Developing recipe export functionality (PDF, Excel, etc.).
o Refining role-based authorization.
• Collaborate with the project lead (expert in recipe structuring and nutrition) to ensure accurate implementation of domain logic.
• Potentially contribute to frontend development (Next.js) or work closely with a separate frontend developer.
• Maintain code quality, write tests, and manage database migrations (Alembic).
• Employ efficient development practices, leveraging modern tools including the latest AI code assistants (like GitHub Copilot or Cursor with Sonnett 3.7, ChatGPT 3o-mini-high, Grok3 or Gemini 2.5 pro) to optimize development time and resource usage, which is crucial for our non-profit nature.
Required Skills:
• Expert level Python programming.
• Proven, strong experience with FastAPI.
• Solid understanding and experience with SQLModel or SQLAlchemy/Pydantic.
• Proficiency with PostgreSQL databases.
• Experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs.
• Proficiency with Git version control.
• Ability to understand and work with complex data models and relational databases.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently based on detailed specifications.
Desirable Skills:
• Frontend development experience, particularly with Next.js.
• Experience with Alembic for database migrations.
• Experience with Docker and containerization.
• Experience with cloud platforms (Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is conceptually planned).
• Experience integrating with external APIs, especially AI services (LLMs like ChatGPT/Gemini).
• Experience using AI-powered code generation/assistance tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor).
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions planned).
• Experience working on non-profit or open-source projects.
What We Provide:
• Access to the current codebase on a Git repository.
• Comprehensive technical documentation detailing concepts, architecture, existing code, and future plans.
• Direct communication and clarification with the project lead (domain expert).
• The opportunity to contribute significantly to a unique and ambitious non-profit project with international scope.
A Note on Efficiency:
As a non-profit project aiming to deliver significant value without generating revenue, efficient use of development time is paramount. We highly encourage and expect the use of modern tools, including AI code assistants, to maximize productivity and focus efforts on building the unique features of this platform.
How to Apply:
If you are a skilled developer with strong FastAPI experience and are passionate about contributing to a meaningful non-profit project, we encourage you to apply. Please include in your application:
1. A brief description of your relevant experience, specifically highlighting your FastAPI projects.
2. Your approach to understanding and continuing an existing project.
3. Confirmation of your willingness and ability to leverage AI coding tools for efficiency.
4. Your availability and estimated hourly rate.
5. Any questions you might have about the project.
We look forward to hearing from you!