Lead Native App Developer

Posted 4 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Auckland, NZL
In-Office
Senior level
Agency
The Role
Lead design and delivery of native iOS/Android apps across the full lifecycle. Write high-quality, testable code, integrate with APIs, optimize performance, collaborate with design, estimate work, debug and triage defects, and coach the team while contributing to continuous improvement.
Summary Generated by Built In

At AKQA (part of WPP) our Technology discipline sets the approach and standard for native app delivery and governance, helping deliver a world-class application through a mature agile methodology, and setting a high standard for delivery and governance so clients gain the greatest possible value from their investment.

As a Lead Native App Developer, you will bring deep native iOS and/or Android experience into a collaborative, multidisciplinary team. You’ll help build and evolve a world-class mobile application, balancing craft, quality, and pace, while supporting the team with clear thinking and practical guidance.

As part of AKQA, you’ll work in an innovative and inclusive culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. You’ll have the opportunity to learn and grow within a creative and technically advanced team, with access to ongoing personal and professional development. Our hybrid in-studio/WFH model supports balance and flexibility, and we’re committed to your career growth as well as your work/life balance.


ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • Deliver native mobile development end-to-end across the full app life cycle.
  • Define the work needed to implement solutions; assess and communicate feasibility and delivery impact.
  • Estimate accurately, report progress clearly, and deliver to deadlines.
  • Produce high-quality code that is performant, reliable, and maintainable.
  • Partner with Experience Design to deliver high-fidelity, platform-appropriate UI that meets requirements.
  • Integrate with external systems and APIs; optimise app and tool performance.
  • Debug confidently, explain app flow to others, and triage/fix defects.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement, grow new skills on the job, and share knowledge openly within the team.

QUALITIES & CHARACTERISTICS

  • 5+ years building native apps with Swift and/or Kotlin.
  • Strong grasp of common frameworks, libraries, and design patterns; solid iOS and/or Android SDK knowledge.
  • Experience with RESTful APIs, multi-threading, and writing unit-tested, testable code.
  • Comfortable with DevOps/continuous delivery and agile ways of working.
  • Proven track record delivering high-quality iOS and/or Android applications.
 
 

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Skills Required

  • 5+ years building native apps with Swift and/or Kotlin.
  • Strong knowledge of iOS and/or Android SDKs, common frameworks, libraries, and design patterns.
  • Experience integrating with RESTful APIs and external systems.
  • Experience with multithreading and writing unit-tested, testable code.
  • Comfortable with DevOps/continuous delivery (CI/CD) and agile ways of working.
  • Proven track record delivering high-quality iOS and/or Android applications.

AKQA Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AKQA and has not been reviewed or approved by AKQA.

  • Parental & Family Support Policies include fully paid parental leave for all parents, adoption support, and family leave for caregiving needs. Additional supports such as subsidized backup childcare and regional enhancements reinforce family care.
  • Healthcare Strength Health coverage offers multiple plan options with full preventive care, mental‑health resources, and dental and vision coverage. Some regions provide 24/7 virtual doctor access and supplementary healthcare budgets for services not covered by insurance.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Time‑away provisions include generous paid holidays with increases over tenure and a companywide year‑end closure. Special, study, and event‑based leave (e.g., weddings, moving) broaden the range of available time off.

AKQA Insights

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The Company
HQ: London
2,068 Employees
Year Founded: 2001

What We Do

AKQA is the frontier agency, uniting imagination, design, craft and technology to create new forms of value. For more than three decades, we've helped brands imagine what’s next and make what matters, from pioneering digital to defining the next era of AI. Operating across 19 countries and 30 locations, we work with organisations to build intelligent systems, digital products, connected ecosystems and immersive experiences that shape culture, deepen brand relevance and unlock growth. AKQA is a WPP agency.

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