We’re building Embrin, a next-generation newsletter studio built around ArcXP, the digital experience platform developed inside The Washington Post and is now used by some of the most innovative media companies in the world.

At d.labs, we’ve been working side by side with top publishers to reimagine how editorial teams engage millions of readers. Now, we’re turning that expertise into a product with global reach.

We’re looking for a developer with a founder-like DNA, a builder, not just a coder. Someone who wants their fingerprints all over the product, from architecture to user experience.

This role is special because from day one you won’t just be writing code. You’ll be shaping Embrin’s direction, technical architecture, and roadmap alongside the CEO and Embrin’s CTO. Your voice will carry real weight in how we solve problems and scale. You’ll be working at the intersection of d.labs’ product expertise, ArcXP’s platform scale, and The Washington Post’s innovation pedigree. This is a rare chance to operate inside a global network of world-class publishers and technologists.

At d.labs, you’ll collaborate directly with senior architects, designers, and product leaders who have built and scaled platforms across fintech, SaaS, and publishing. You’ll be learning from the best, and they’ll expect the same from you. And while you’ll have the excitement and influence of building from scratch, you’ll also have the support and credibility of a proven venture studio. It is the sweet spot between the backing of a reputable organisation and the raw energy of an early-stage product.

What you'll be doing 🛠️

• Own features end-to-end: From requirements gathering → architecture design → implementation → deployment
• Design before building: Create system diagrams, database schemas, and API specifications. Present trade-offs and get alignment before coding
• Build production-ready solutions: Not prototypes. Security, performance, error handling, observability from day one
• Make architectural decisions: Choose the right tools, design clean abstractions, establish patterns others will follow
• Work autonomously within guardrails: Weekly syncs with CEO/CTO for strategic alignment, but daily execution is yours to own
• Ship iteratively: Small, frequent releases with tight feedback loops from real users
• Collaborate asynchronously: Clear written communication, thorough PR descriptions, documentation that doesn't need verbal explanation

What we're looking for 👨‍💻

Must-haves:

• 5+ years full-stack development, with deep Next.js expertise
• Strong Supabase experience: RLS policies, complex auth flows
• Production PostgreSQL experience: complex queries, indexing strategies, migration management
• Proven ability to architect full features independently—from data model to deployment—with clear documentation (diagrams, ADRs, technical specs)
• Product-minded engineering: you understand user workflows, can translate requirements into technical solutions, and build functional UIs with shadcn/ui and modern React patterns
• Security-first mindset: authentication, authorization, input validation, secure API design