Jiga, a YC-backed startup (W21) building a B2B marketplace for industrial materials in Africa, is hiring full-stack engineers proficient in MongoDB, React, and Node.js. They're looking for individuals passionate about building a transformative product with significant real-world impact, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and eager to contribute to a rapidly growing company. Experience with Typescript and Next.js is a plus.
Svix, a webhooks service provider, is seeking a US-based remote Developer Marketer. This role involves creating technical content like blog posts, tutorials, and sample code to showcase Svix's capabilities and attract developers. The ideal candidate possesses strong writing and communication skills, a deep understanding of developer needs and preferences, and familiarity with webhooks and related technologies. Experience with content creation and developer communities is highly valued. This is a full-time position offering competitive salary and benefits.
Hacker News users generally expressed skepticism towards the "Developer Marketer" role advertised by Svix, questioning its purpose and practicality. Some saw it as a glorified content creator or technical writer, while others doubted the effectiveness of having developers handle marketing. A few commenters debated the merits of developer-focused marketing versus product-led growth, suggesting the former might be unnecessary if the product is truly excellent. The high salary range listed also drew attention, with some speculating it was influenced by Svix's Y Combinator backing and others arguing it reflects the difficulty of finding someone with the required skillset. Overall, the prevailing sentiment was one of cautious curiosity about the role's definition and potential success.
Summary of Comments ( 0 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43088567
HN commenters discuss Jiga's unusual hiring approach, which emphasizes learning MongoDB, React, and Node.js after being hired. Some express skepticism, questioning the practicality of training experienced engineers in specific technologies and the potential for attracting less qualified candidates. Others are more optimistic, viewing it as a refreshing alternative to the overemphasis on specific tech stacks in typical job postings, potentially opening opportunities for talented individuals with strong fundamentals but lacking specific framework experience. The discussion also touches on the potential for lower salaries due to the training aspect and the overall cost-effectiveness of this hiring strategy for Jiga. Several commenters share personal anecdotes of successfully transitioning to new technologies on the job, suggesting that Jiga's approach could be viable.
The Hacker News post discussing Jiga's hiring of Mongo/React/Node engineers generated a modest amount of discussion, with a focus on the compensation offered and the nature of the work.
One commenter questioned the salary range of $80k-$120k, considering it low for a YC-backed company, particularly for experienced engineers in a high-cost-of-living area. They speculated whether the company might be based outside a major tech hub, thus explaining the lower salary band. This spurred a discussion about salary expectations and the potential trade-offs between working for a well-funded startup versus a more established company.
Another user expressed concern about the advertised “impactful” work on “global issues” related to industrial supply chains. They voiced skepticism about the actual impact a single engineer could have in such a complex field, suggesting it might be overstated marketing language. They also questioned whether the work would genuinely involve tackling significant global challenges or primarily focus on internal tooling and optimization. This prompted a brief exchange with another commenter who argued that such work could indeed be impactful, even if indirectly, by improving efficiency and transparency within the industry.
A separate comment focused on the required experience level. The commenter observed that the listing seemed targeted towards less experienced engineers given the specified range. They wondered whether this indicated a preference for junior developers or simply reflected the budgetary constraints of an early-stage startup.
Finally, one comment simply mentioned having interviewed with the company previously. They did not provide further details about their experience, leaving it open to interpretation whether it was positive or negative.
While the number of comments is limited, they touch on important considerations for potential applicants, such as salary expectations, the true nature of the work, and the company's stage of development. The comments reflect a healthy skepticism and a desire for more clarity regarding the advertised opportunity.