Build Web App for PDF & Image Tools (with AI Hooks)

I need an experienced full-stack developer to create a modern web application that lets a Regular User upload, view, and manage PDFs and common image formats. The very first milestone must master high-quality OCR and reliable text/image redaction; afterward we will extend to merging, splitting, compression, format conversion, watermarks, protection, and batch processing.

The stack I have in mind is Next.js with React on the front end, Node.js with TypeScript for the back end, PostgreSQL for relational data, and S3-compatible object storage for user files. A clean, well-documented REST API must sit beneath the UI so future services—and AI features such as “chat with PDF”, summarization, and structured data extraction—can plug in with minimal effort.

Because only one role is needed at launch, access control can stay simple, but the codebase should be modular enough to add Admin or Guest flows later without rewrites. Please lean on proven libraries for PDF manipulation and image handling, and architect the project so heavy jobs can move to queue workers if throughput demands grow.

Successful delivery will include:
• A responsive Next.js interface that covers upload, file listing, progress feedback, and result previews
• Server-side endpoints (TypeScript) for OCR and redaction with clear input/output contracts
• Integration tests showing the API working on multiple files in a single batch request
• Docker-based setup scripts plus deployment notes for an AWS-style environment
• Concise README and inline documentation that make future AI feature hooks obvious

If this scope matches your expertise, let’s discuss your preferred PDF/image libraries, any performance considerations, and a realistic timeline for the first production-ready release.