Looking for a mentor (full stack software engineer - Py/TS)

E

Ejeckt

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Edited: it has been pointed out that mentor was the wrong choice of words. Just a snr consulting software engineer who can provide advice/direction both on technical and non-technical matters.

I'm building a full stack Django/Angular application with a microservices architecture for a SaaS startup. I already have a core backend, gateway and frontend and plans for many more services. The startup is a daughter organization to an existing SME that needs a (better) custom replacement for a bloated and old off-the-shelf product. I am the sole developer on this project, wearing all the hats from business analysis to project management to development and DevOps.

What I'm looking:
I'm looking for a Snr Dev who's been around the block. Once or twice a week I'd like to connect via remote desktop and discuss code, plan sprints, architect and design solutions, review bugs and troubleshoot, etc. I'd also like to setup an open channel of communication where I can ping you with questions. I'd be thrilled to pick your brain for some in-depth knowledge of Python, Django, JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, SQL (Postgres), Docker, Kubernetes, AWS and other best practices.

To be clear, I'm not looking for a senior developer to develop this software. This is for advice and guidance for a new SaaS startup only. Technical and non-technical guidance is expected - this is my first experience with building a software company and I'm looking for someone who has been in this position before. I also have equity in this startup which is why I'm hoping to find someone who can advise on more than just technical matters.

Unfortunately the budget for this isn't huge and I can only pay R600-R1000 per hour, depending on experience. One or two evenings a week, as I'm developing this "on the side" myself (schedules may be difficult and limited to mornings, evenings and weekends).
 
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Here's a kind warning to be prepared to be roasted in the responses you get here.

It's perhaps a bit naive to try pitch it as a mentorship when it seems like the majority of the hours will be purely technical. At the moment there's a high demand and scarcity for local experienced full stack developers even for companies willing to pay a pretty penny.

Anyways, I would be happy if I'm wrong and there's a developer out there whose looking for a passion project.
 
Charly said:
Here's a kind warning to be prepared to be roasted in the responses you get here.

It's perhaps a bit naive to try pitch it as a mentorship when it seems like the majority of the hours will be purely technical. At the moment there's a high demand and scarcity for local experienced full stack developers even for companies willing to pay a pretty penny.

Anyways, I would be happy if I'm wrong and there's a developer out there whose looking for a passion project.
Click to expand...

Good point- am ready for the roasting now :)

Mentorship may not be the right word, but I don't think all hours will be purely technical.

Thanks for the response. I realize it's a long-shot but I still feel I should try and see if the stars will line up.
 
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(OP has edited their post which seems more reasonable - see later replies)

I'll try and make this constructive and not just a roast.

Sorry, but this sounds strongly like a company who wants to profit from something that they're building and need to hire a senior developer but can't because they can't afford one. Lots of startups are in that position.

I am in support of mentoring. I do it in the company I work for. I even do it outside of the company, but I then want to see a strong non-profit / personal / study angle to the mentoring. I don't want to be doing free/subsidized work mentoring paid employees for a for-profit company, which is what it looks like you want.

You mention this is a daughter company of an existing SME, and that they need the solution. You also mention having "some" equity. This strongly suggests a "for-profit" motive. I can tell you from experience that you'll need to shell out cash /and/or equity to make this happen, and you will need to do it at a market related rate. Anything else and you won't get what you're looking for.

There are lots of ways that companies structure trying to "get development work for free". This is but one.

Try a different angle. If you say "we'll need a senior dev to come in a give advice/direction for X% of the company or Rx per hour and here are the details" you are likely to get a better response.

But I suspect that your problem isn't not having a mentor. Its a business problem. Which is not having the money you need or the skills you need to do the work you need to do.
 
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retromodcoza said:
Try a different angle. If you say "we'll need a senior dev to come in a give advice/direction for X% of the company or Rx per hour and here are the details" you are likely to get a better response.

But I suspect that your problem isn't not having a mentor. Its a business problem. Which is not having the money you need or the skills you need to do the work you need to do.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have edited my post to try and make it a bit more to the point and clear about what I'm looking for.
 
Your reviewed post seems much more reasonable. You may well pick up someone in that price range who might be :

-Retired from coding and would like to pick up a few hours a week (Pick someone with recent industry experience if they're like that though)
- Freelancer who's had some corporate/large co experience (they'll probably need this for the devops skills you want) who has limited free time
- A company who has some free senior resources that are in between projects
- A developer who moonlights for you after hours.

The last two are probably either rare of will be difficult to get or retain. You'll need to do some digging to get what you need.
 
Jhon Albert is a Full stack developer with many years of experience in different strategies for different platforms. He is also a Graphic Designer who loves to create or design some thing new.
 
jhony said:
Jhon Albert is a Full stack developer with many years of experience in different strategies for different platforms. He is also a Graphic Designer who loves to create or design some thing new.
Click to expand...
You registered right before you posted this and it's your only post. Also, your names seem very similar.

Are you referring to yourself in the 3rd person?
 
I am sure you will find someone on carbonite for this "mentorship"
I can only pay R600-R1000 per hour, depending on experience. One or two evenings a week
Click to expand...
 
jhony said:
Jhon Albert is a Full stack developer with many years of experience in different strategies for different platforms. He is also a Graphic Designer who loves to create or design some thing new.
Click to expand...
Who is Keyser Söze Jhon Albert?
 
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