App engineer for end-to-end app development and operation

Native app development with Swift and Flutter, combined with Java backend development and Kubernetes operation. Single owner accountability from concept through production-ready MVP to long-term maintenance.

I build and operate app systems where the backend matters as much as the frontend. You get native app development for iOS and Android paired with production-grade backend infrastructure. No handovers, no MVP factories—just one engineer accountable for the complete app lifecycle.

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  • No web apps.
  • No MVP factories.
  • No handovers.

App and backend development from a single owner

End-to-end app development means building both frontend and backend as a unified system. Swift app development for iOS when platform quality matters. Flutter app development for cross-platform reach with native performance. Java backend development with PostgreSQL and Kubernetes for production infrastructure.

Native app development requires backend systems that can handle real usage. I build app backends using Java, deploy them on Kubernetes, and run PostgreSQL databases that scale beyond MVP stage. App operation and maintenance covers monitoring, updates, and incident response. Long-term app systems need infrastructure that someone actually operates, not just delivers.

Concept

  • Product thinking before writing code
  • Clear scope definition and tradeoffs
  • Technical architecture for long-term stability

Build

  • Swift for iOS stability, Flutter for cross-platform
  • Clean code with long-term maintainability in mind
  • Proper testing and controlled release process

Operate

  • OS updates and compatibility maintenance
  • Bug fixes and security patches after release
  • Monitoring, incident response, and accountability

Production-ready MVP, not pitch-ready prototype

A production-ready MVP means code that can handle real users from day one. Scalable MVP development includes proper backend infrastructure, not placeholder services. Single owner app development ensures one person is accountable when things break at 3 AM.

Most MVPs fail because they confuse "minimal" with "temporary." Production-ready MVP development means building less, not building badly. The app runs on real infrastructure with monitoring and backup systems. The backend handles actual load patterns, not demo scenarios. Security and data protection work from launch, not "we will add that later."

  • Infrastructure that handles real users, not demo traffic
  • Backend systems designed for operation, not just development
  • Security and monitoring built in, not bolted on later
  • Code that can be maintained, not rewritten after six months

Who it's for

Good fit

  • You need a real product, not a prototype
  • You value long-term stability over quick delivery
  • You want one person accountable for the outcome
  • You understand quality takes time

Not a fit

  • MVPs or prototypes for investor pitches
  • Web apps or progressive web apps
  • Projects requiring handover to another team
  • Testing something small before committing

Process

End-to-end app development follows a lifecycle, not a handoff chain. Each phase builds on the previous one. The app lifecycle continues past launch—operation is not an afterthought.

1

Discovery

Understanding your product and technical constraints. What problem are we solving, and for whom? What are the real constraints—technical, business, regulatory? What does success look like in measurable terms?

Output: Scope document
2

Spec

Detailed technical plan and milestone breakdown. How will the app and backend work together? What are the critical paths and dependencies? Where are the technical risks that could derail the project?

Output: Milestone plan
3

Build

Implementation with regular progress updates. Swift app development or Flutter app development, depending on platform requirements. Java backend development with PostgreSQL. Kubernetes deployment configuration. Testing against real-world scenarios.

Output: Release checklist
4

Operate

Ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and updates. App operation and maintenance means actual responsibility for uptime. Kubernetes backend monitoring and scaling. Security patches and OS compatibility updates. Long-term app systems require ongoing attention, not just initial setup.

Output: Operations runbook

Proof

I build and operate my own apps in production.

  • Running production apps with real users
  • Years of experience maintaining live services
  • Direct experience with App Store and Play Store operations

FAQ

Native app development provides performance, offline capabilities, and platform integration that web apps cannot match. Swift app development for iOS produces stable apps that integrate properly with the Apple ecosystem. Flutter app development delivers native performance on both iOS and Android from a single codebase. Web apps require constant compromises around offline functionality, performance, and device integration. Long-term app systems need native foundations because users expect apps to work like apps, not like websites in a wrapper.

App operation and maintenance means accountability for uptime and problems. Monitoring the Kubernetes backend for errors and performance issues. Responding when something breaks, not forwarding tickets. Deploying OS compatibility updates when Apple or Google release new versions. Maintaining security patches for the app and backend. Handling App Store requirements and policy changes. Running PostgreSQL backups and testing recovery procedures. It means being the person who gets called when production is down, and having the infrastructure to fix it.

Java backend development using frameworks like Spring Boot for API services. PostgreSQL databases for reliable data storage and complex queries. Kubernetes deployment for container orchestration and scaling. The backend is not an afterthought—it gets built alongside the native app development. App and backend development happen together because they depend on each other. The API design affects what the app can do. The app requirements determine how the backend must perform. Single owner app development means one person understands both sides and how they fit together.

Production-ready MVP development means the app can handle real users, not just investors in a demo. The infrastructure runs on actual servers with monitoring, not on a laptop. Security works from day one—authentication, data encryption, API security. The backend can scale when usage grows, not just handle test traffic. Code quality allows for maintenance and changes, not just "it works once." App operation and maintenance processes exist before launch. A production-ready MVP might do less than a pitch prototype, but what it does actually works under real conditions.

Both, depending on what makes sense. If you have a backend that works and can scale, native app development can integrate with it. If the existing backend cannot support mobile requirements—wrong API design, performance issues, scaling problems—then Java backend development creates a new system. Sometimes a hybrid approach works: keep some existing services, build new ones for mobile-specific needs. The decision comes from technical requirements, not preference. End-to-end app development means choosing the architecture that actually works for the complete system.

Long-term app systems require documentation and operational runbooks from the start. You get access to all code repositories, infrastructure configurations, and deployment procedures. Kubernetes configurations are documented and version-controlled. Database schemas and migration procedures are clear. Monitoring and alerting systems can transfer to another operator. The goal is not vendor lock-in. However, single owner app development works best when that ownership continues. Frequent handovers break accountability and knowledge continuity. We discuss long-term plans during discovery.

Swift app development for iOS provides the most stable and maintainable path for Apple platforms. It integrates properly with iOS APIs and gets first-class support for new features. Flutter app development works for cross-platform when you need both iOS and Android. It produces real native apps with good performance, unlike web-based hybrid approaches. Both technologies have mature ecosystems and long-term viability. React Native could work too, but Flutter offers better performance characteristics and Swift offers better iOS integration. The choice depends on your specific platform requirements and long-term maintenance considerations.

Let's talk

Reach out if your project meets these criteria:

  • Do you need a real product, not a prototype?
  • Are you ready to invest in quality and long-term stability?
  • Do you value accountability over quick delivery?
Book a call

If your project fits, you can also reach me at contact@theappengineer.com.