Senior Claris FileMaker Developer

Senior Claris FileMaker Developer (Remote)

Are you the "go-to" FileMaker expert? The person who enjoys architecting complex systems, mentoring junior developers, and creating solid technical plans from which great projects are built?

We're Portage Bay Solutions, a successful, growing, and fully remote team looking to add a FileMaker veteran to our staff. This isn't just a "head-down coding" job; you'll have opportunities in various areas and will help our whole team get better.

Many of our projects incorporate both FileMaker and web apps, so solid experience with front-end web development is a big bonus.

The Nuts and Bolts

• PAY: $90,000 - $110,000 per year + benefits (We do not have health care)
• POSITION: Full-time, 40 hours/week (W2 position, not contract)
• LOCATION: Fully remote - work from anywhere you have a solid WiFi connection. (Though MUST be based in a North American time zone)
• FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE: Your schedule is mostly up to you, though you will need to be available to connect with the team and clients during standard Pacific Time Zone business hours.
• WEEKENDS: Generally not required, though may be necessary in emergencies.
• TRAVEL: Not required, though there may be opportunities to attend conferences or visit clients on-site

A Bit About Us

We're a small, Seattle-based, fully-remote team of custom software developers who have been helping businesses succeed with FileMaker for over 30 years. Our team is currently spread across three time zones. We're a personable group who values camaraderie and clear communication.

But don't let the casual vibe fool you; we are serious about our craft. We hold ourselves accountable and deliver high-quality applications for our clients nationwide. We support legacy FileMaker solutions, create new builds, handle integrations, and build web applications and mobile apps.

You will often be the sole developer and lead on a project, responsible for both the budget and client relationship. At other times, you'll work with one of our project managers and possibly a second developer. In all situations, we're a tight-knit bunch who are always available to help each other out, review code, and share solutions.

We communicate daily through email, Teamwork, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, and Google Meet.

Traits We're Looking For

• You can jump right in. You have the experience to tackle complex projects and new-to-you systems without needing your hand held. You'll often be the primary developer and client contact, handling consultation, design, development, and delivery.
• You work readily with a team. Sometimes your assignments will be overseen by a project manager. You'll also be part of discussions and troubleshooting sessions with other developers. You'll contribute to our technical blog and be part of our FileMaker DevCast video podcast.
• You listen and collaborate. You find the right solution, not necessarily the most complex one. You listen to understand real needs, not just what a client is asking for.
• You're open to feedback and redirection. You ask for clarification before going too far down a rabbit hole, ensuring your work stays on track.
• You triage and plan wisely. You'll typically be working on 3-6 client projects at a time, and you care about a smooth process as much as a polished final product.
• You work within budgets and scope. You'll have a voice in creating realistic time estimates and will be part of keeping projects within their scope and budget.
• You're a conscientious developer. You write clean, straightforward, and commented code. You value documentation and don't cut corners.
• You're a natural mentor. You like to share knowledge, do code reviews, help others grow, and contribute to shaping our best practices.
• You're curious and a lifelong learner. You're comfortable saying, "I don't know, but I'll find out." You value keeping your skills sharp.
• You're organized and detail-oriented. To confirm your attention to detail, please begin your cover letter (if you choose to submit one) with this exact phrase, "I am a pragmatic problem-solver who is attentive to details." (Yes, this is a test)

Your "Must-Have" Tech Stack & Skills

We're hiring for a senior-level role - proven FileMaker experience is a requirement. It's a bonus if you also have front-end web skills.

CORE FILEMAKER MASTERY:

• Minimum of five years developing and supporting complex, custom Claris FileMaker Pro applications across a variety of projects and clients.
• Deep understanding of relational database design, complex scripting, data separation models, and security.
• Proven ability to step into existing solutions to troubleshoot, optimize, and take over development.
• Expertise with the full platform: FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, FileMaker Go, WebDirect, Claris Connect, and Claris Studio.
• Strong API integration skills (working with JSON, cURL, etc.)

FRONT-END WEB SKILLS APPRECIATED:

• While FileMaker is your primary tool, you also bring a solid foundation in front-end web development.
• Experience with VueJS, TailwindCSS, and Bootstrap.
• Proficiency in Vanilla JS and common array methods.
• Good knowledge of HTML semantics, CSS Grid, and Flexbox.
• Experience with version control.
• Huge plus: Experience with FM BetterForms.

Sound Like You? Let's Talk.

To apply, please answer the following questions. (Applications that ignore these will be skipped.)

• Do you live in a North American time zone? This is a requirement.
• Proof of Work: Provide a screenshot of a FileMaker script you are proud of and tell us what it does. Your script doesn't need to be complex - it should be clean, well-commented, and solve a problem. (Please blur any sensitive client info.)
• Scenario: You're assigned a task with a 5-hour estimate. You're 2 hours in and realize it's more complex than anticipated and will likely take another 10 hours. What do you do next?
• Mentorship: When you mentor a junior developer, what's a bad habit you help them unlearn?

Cover Letter (Optional): We'd love to hear from you. If you decide to submit a letter, use it to answer this one question: Why are you interested in our collaborative team model, not just a purely coding position? (Remember to include the 'secret phrase' from within the job post)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90, $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Work from home

Application Question(s):

• Do you live in a North American time zone? This is a requirement.
• Provide a screenshot of a FileMaker script you are proud of and tell us what it does. Your script doesn't need to be complex - it should be clean, well-commented, and solve a problem. (Please blur any sensitive client info.)
• You're assigned a task with a 5-hour estimate. You're 2 hours in and realize it's more complex than anticipated and will likely take another 10 hours. What do you do next?
• When you mentor a junior developer, what's a bad habit you help them unlearn?

Language:

• English (Required)

Work Location: Remote