React Native Mobile Engineer

Why Cognito?

We started Cognito because traditional textbooks were dry, revision sites were fragmented, and private tutors were inaccessible to most students. Today, over 1 million students use our platform to master GCSE and A-Level sciences and maths, completing hundreds of millions of questions. We've grown from a YouTube channel (now 40+ million views annually) into a comprehensive learning platform with 100,000+ monthly active users.

However, we're just getting started. We're expanding internationally and developing AI features that will make personalised education accessible to every student. Now we're bringing our proven platform to mobile - and you'd be the engineer to build it.

What you'll actually do

You'll be adapting our existing mobile web experience into a native mobile app using React Native and Expo. Our web platform is already proven with 100k+ MAUs - you'll focus on building an exceptional mobile experience rather than figuring out what to build. You'll work closely with our product designer who will provide detailed Figma designs, and collaborate with our engineers to understand existing patterns and determine what can be adapted versus rebuilt for mobile.

This means:

• Building our React Native app using Expo, delivering to both iOS and Android
• Owning the entire mobile delivery pipeline - EAS Build, CI/CD, TestFlight, Google Play Console, app store submissions, OTA updates, and release management
• Implementing Duolingo-style gamified learning experiences that combine learning science with engaging, habit-forming interactions
• Implementing mobile-specific features: offline support, push notifications, deep linking, and native device capabilities
• Setting up crash reporting and monitoring (Sentry or similar) to maintain app quality

You'll be our first mobile engineer, which means significant autonomy over technical decisions and the opportunity to shape how we build mobile from the ground up. You'll be building an app that's virtually guaranteed to reach hundreds of thousands of students - the demand is already there, proven by our web platform's growth.

Requirements

What we're looking for

• 3+ years of React Native and Expo experience - You've shipped production apps using Expo, handled app store submissions to both platforms, and are comfortable with EAS Build, EAS Submit, and OTA updates
• Strong React and TypeScript skills - You understand modern React patterns and can work effectively in a TypeScript codebase
• Experience with GraphQL APIs - Ideally Apollo Client, but experience with other GraphQL clients is transferable
• Good eye for design - You can implement pixel-perfect UIs from Figma while understanding iOS and Android platform conventions
• AI-native workflow - You actively use Cursor, Claude, MCPs, etc. throughout your development. This is how we work

The role works best if you're comfortable understanding existing codebases, collaborating with web developers to adapt patterns for mobile, and working autonomously once you understand the system.

How we work

• Fully remote across the UK - typical hours 9am-5:30pm with flexibility around what works for you
• AI-forward - We expect you to use AI tools throughout your workflow. It's part of how we stay fast and competitive
• Fast-paced but sustainable - We ship quickly and iterate based on real student feedback, but we're not a burnout culture
• Light on process - No unnecessary meetings or bureaucracy. Short ad-hoc calls when needed, daily standups, and focus on shipping
• Direct impact - Your work will be used by hundreds of thousands of students. You'll see the difference you're making

Benefits

Working here

• Salary - Competitive salary with regular reviews
• Holiday - 25 days + bank holidays
• Equipment - We'll provide whatever you need to do your best work, plus physical iOS and Android devices for testing
• Flexibility - Typical hours 9am-5:30pm, but flexible around what works for you
• Modern work culture - No unnecessary meetings or bureaucracy, focused on building things that matter

How to apply

To apply for this role, please complete the application form.

We'll aim to review applications and get back to you within two weeks, not counting the Christmas break (22nd December - 5th January).

Our hiring process:

1. Application review - We'll review your CV, work examples, and application responses
2. Initial conversation - Either a 10-15 minute screening call or a short video about a project you've worked on
3. First interview - Conversation with the team to discuss your experience and approach
4. Next steps - Depending on how things go, this might include additional interviews or a paid technical assessment

The exact process will vary depending on the candidate and how conversations develop - we prefer to keep things flexible rather than rigidly structured.