Host Guest
Description
About Host Guest
Host Guest is a U.S.-based startup launched in 2024 and officially registered in Georgia in 2025. We?re building a safe, human-centered housing platform that connects students and cultural travelers with verified host families across the United States. Our focus is on affordability, trust, and belonging especially for international and out-of-state students who often struggle to find secure, welcoming accommodations in new cities. Host Guest is not just a tech platform. It?s a mission-driven solution rooted in empathy, security, and real human connection.
We are currently preparing for our official launch in August 2025, and our platform has already been developed using Laravel, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and MySQL. However, it requires deep refinement. The codebase is functional but disorganized. We are entering a crucial stage to clean, optimize, and elevate our web and mobile experience before we launch nationally.
The Role
We are hiring a Full-Stack Developer based in the U.S, who can immediately take ownership of refining both the frontend and backend of our platform. You will work closely with our product and operations lead, UX/UI interns, and a future product manager to bring structure, polish, and usability to a platform that?s already built, but not yet launch-ready.
This is not a position for someone learning on the job. We need someone who can confidently assess a messy codebase, understand the existing architecture, and apply clean, modern solutions across the stack. Your work will directly impact whether Host Guest becomes a trusted name in U.S. student housing.
Key Responsibilities
- Refactor existing code to improve structure, clarity, and performance
- Debug and resolve backend and frontend issues affecting usability
- Optimize database queries and overall performance (MySQL)
- Implement new frontend components using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Work within the Laravel (PHP) framework to improve backend functionality
- Collaborate with UX/UI interns and the Product Manager to translate user needs into elegant, responsive features
- Prepare the platform for cross-browser and cross-device consistency
- Guide and document the technical handoff and development process for future scaling
- Support implementation of third-party integrations (e.g., ChatGPT AI assistant, facial recognition signup)
Qualifications:
- Based in the United States
- Minimum 3?5 years of professional experience as a Full-Stack Developer or in both frontend and backend roles
- Expert-level proficiency in: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Laravel (PHP framework), AWS and MySQL
- Strong understanding of user flow, responsive design, and technical optimization
- Experience with AWS deployment and maintenance
- Familiarity with AI integrations (e.g., ChatGPT API) and facial recognition tools
- Demonstrated ability to work across an existing codebase and optimize for clarity, speed, and structure
- Ability to debug and improve legacy code efficiently
- Strong communicator, especially with non-technical stakeholders
Tools Used at Host Guest
- Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Backend: Laravel (PHP)
- Database: MySQL
- Integrations: ChatGPT, Facial Recognition
- Infrastructure: AWS
- Project Management: Asana
- Communication: Google Workspace & Slack
Compensation
We are open to both full-time salaried or highly structured contract agreements based on your experience and availability. Compensation will reflect your level of contribution and will be finalized after an initial technical scoping discussion.
Estimated range: $3,000?$5,000/month or equivalent project-based contract.
Why Join Host Guest?
Our platform is built on the belief that connection creates belonging. You won?t just be coding, you?ll be laying the foundation for a product that helps real people feel at home in unfamiliar places. With a remote team, clear structure, and ambitious launch goals, you?ll have space to lead, grow, and leave your fingerprint on a solution built to scale.
