Key Technologies for a Tech Lead (React + Node.js stack)
Frontend (React)
- React.js (Hooks, Context API, Redux or Zustand)
- TypeScript (preferred for large codebases)
- Component libraries (e.g., Material-UI, Ant Design, Tailwind CSS)
- Webpack/Vite, Babel
- REST API / GraphQL consumption
- Testing frameworks: Jest, React Testing Library
- Performance optimization techniques (e.g., lazy loading, memorization)
Backend (Node.js)
- Node.js (Express.js, NestJS is a bonus)
- REST API / GraphQL API development
- MongoDB / PostgreSQL / MySQL
- Authentication (JWT, OAuth)
- Caching (Redis)
- Logging and monitoring (e.g., Winston, Morgan, Log DNA)
DevOps / Other Tools
- Git, GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket
- Docker basics
- CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
- Cloud basics: AWS / Azure / GCP (at least deployment and hosting experience)
- PM tools: Jira, Trello, Click Up
- Collaboration: Slack, Teams, Notion
Key Responsibilities of a Tech Lead
1. Technical Leadership
- Own the technical design and architecture of projects.
- Conduct code reviews to ensure high-quality standards.
- Set and enforce coding best practices (e.g., linting, commit standards).
- Guide team in breaking down requirements into technical tasks.
2. Team Management
- Mentor junior developers and help with skill development.
- Assign tasks based on skill levels and availability.
- Be a bridge between project managers and the dev team.
- Encourage pair programming and collaborative problem solving.
3. Client & Project Communication
- Participate in client meetings to gather requirements and clarify technical feasibility.
- Translate business requirements into technical specs.
- Provide technical inputs during proposals or project estimations.
- Communicate project status, risks, and blockers.
4. Delivery Ownership
- Ensure project timelines and code quality are maintained.
- Proactively manage tech debt and plan for refactoring.
- Take ownership of deployments and production issues.
- Ensure proper documentation is maintained.
- Security best practices (especially if dealing with sensitive data).
5. R&D and Continuous Improvement
- Stay updated on new tech in the React/Node ecosystem.
- Evaluate and introduce tools/libraries that boost productivity.
- Suggest process improvements (e.g., agile practices, CI/CD improvements).
Optional but Valuable Responsibilities
- Conduct tech interviews and evaluate candidates.
- Help write SOPs (standard operating procedures) for repeated processes.