Ruby on Rails Developer - Remote - 1099

Transform Labs, a 31-year-old software engineering firm, is seeking a Ruby on Rails Developer with up to 5 years of experience to join our team as a 1099 contractor.

The application is built on Rails 6 / Ruby 2.7 and has accumulated significant technical debt over years of rapid growth. Your primary goal will be to stabilize the system, improve security, and prepare the architecture for future modernization.

Requirements

• Core: Ruby 2.7, Rails 6


• Frontend: React


• Database: PostgreSQL


• Infrastructure: AWS / Terraform


• Integrations: Sidekiq, Twilio, SendGrid.


• You must live in the U.S. No OPT or sponsorships, unfortunately.

What You’ll Do

• Stabilize & Maintain: Proactively fix performance bottlenecks (e.g., N+1 queries, memory bloat) and harden security vulnerabilities (CSRF, authentication).


• Refactor Legacy Logic: Untangle "Fat Controllers" and massive models (some with 50+ columns) into clean, testable Service Objects.


• System Integrity: Manage critical 3rd-party integrations, specifically our connection to ERP, Twilio, and SendGrid.


• Frontend Unification: Maintain a hybrid frontend of legacy ERB templates and modern React components.


• Infrastructure Support: Assist with AWS deployments and environment configuration (Terraform experience is a plus).
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• Rails Proficiency: Strong experience with Rails 5/6 lifecycles. You aren't afraid of a "Legacy" codebase; you see it as a puzzle to be solved.


• Database Chops: You know how to read a schema.rb file, understand why a table with no indexes is bad, and can write raw SQL when ActiveRecord isn't enough.


• Test-Driven Mindset: The system has complex business logic. You must be comfortable writing specs (RSpec) before changing code to ensure no regressions.


• React Familiarity: Ability to work within an existing React implementation without needing to rewrite the entire frontend.


• Professional Maturity: Ability to communicate technical risks ("If we don't fix this, the site goes down.") clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

Bonus Points

• Experience upgrading Rails apps (e.g., 6.0 -> 7.0).


• Experience with Terraform or AWS DevOps.


• Familiarity with RFC/ERP integrations.

Why Join Transform Labs

• Competitive pay at $50/hour as a 1099 contractor.


• Fully remote work with a flexible schedule.


• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful products and features, while growing your technical skills.


• Funny, smart, collaborative team environment.
  
  

About Transform Labs
Transform Labs builds innovative software solutions across healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and non-profits. With more than three decades of experience, we partner closely with clients to design and deliver complex, high-impact systems using Agile methodologies and cross-functional teams. Transform Labs is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.