Technical Product Owner

Hi, We're Franki

Franki is an AI-powered startup transforming how people discover and choose the next place they'll eat, drink and play. Our platform curates video-powered recommendations provided by a vibrant community of content creators and foodies who are passionate about sharing the best their city has to offer.

At Franki, we offer a dynamic and entrepreneurial work environment with tremendous opportunities for growth. As part of our team, you will be on the ground floor of a high-growth startup that is building the future of how people will find places and experiences that create meaningful connections.

About the Role

The Technical Product Owner (TPO) serves as the critical bridge between product vision and technical implementation. This role translates business requirements into detailed technical specifications, ensuring feasibility, scalability, and alignment with engineering best practices. The TPO is responsible for facilitating effective communication between product and engineering teams, streamlining the development process, reducing iterations, and improving estimation accuracy. By identifying technical constraints and dependencies upfront, the TPO enables more efficient feature delivery while maintaining high standards of quality and technical integrity across our mobile and backend platforms.

Note: Candidates residing in our preferred locations; AZ, CA, FL, GA, TX will be given first consideration.

What you'll do...

• Translate business requirements into clear, actionable technical specifications with defined acceptance criteria.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Product and Engineering, communicating constraints, tradeoffs, and progress.
• Validate technical feasibility before sprint planning.
• Lead technical discovery sessions and facilitate architecture discussions to identify optimal implementation approaches.
• Document API dependencies, integration points, and technical constraints upfront.
• Present complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Maintain a technical roadmap aligned with product vision.
• Track and report on requirement process effectiveness, including reduction in mid-sprint changes.
• Identify and address technical blockers, dependencies, and opportunities for improved development efficiency.
• You champion the Franki Values and also encourage positivity, inclusiveness, and mutual respect.

You might be a good fit if you...

• 5+ years of experience in software development, engineering, or technical product management
• 2+ years in a role bridging technical and product teams
• Proficient in Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and project tracking tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence)
• Strong understanding of modern mobile architecture, REST API design, and performance optimization techniques
• Knowledge of database design, data modeling, and cloud infrastructure/deployment processes
• Familiar with testing methodologies, quality assurance practices, and technical documentation standards
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experienced in collaborating with distributed teams across time zones
• Comfortable making decisions amid ambiguity and incomplete information

Bonus points if you...

• Experience with mobile application development (iOS and Android)
• Knowledge of security best practices in software development
• Prior experience in fintech, rewards, or social commerce platforms

The base salary range for this role is...

$95,000-$115,000 per year

Perks & Benefits

• Remote work: Our team works remotely across the US but primarily PST time zone; we travel together several times a year for company kick-offs and mid-year meetings.
• PTO: 15 days per year, plus additional PTO between Christmas and the end of the year (25th Dec - 31st Dec). Additionally, we recognize 11 public holidays per year.
• Medical, dental & vision: We cover 100% of Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance costs for employees.
• 401(k)
• Equipment: Computer & technology equipment applicable to your role.
• Monthly Stipend: $40 (Tax-free) to cover home office expenses

Statement of Equal Opportunity

At Franki, we value diversity in backgrounds and perspectives and depend on it to drive community and our innovative culture. That's why we're a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe that our products, our teams, and our business are stronger because of it. This means that no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran status, you're always welcome at Franki.