Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Full-Stack Engineer (Global | Remote | English)

at Openenergytransition

๐Ÿข About Openenergytransition

Open Energy Transition is a unique remote-first non-profit dedicated to building open-source tools and data for energy and grid planning. Unlike typical tech companies, OET focuses on making energy planning transparent, reproducible, and accessible globally, aiming to establish open approaches as the standard by 2030. Working here means contributing to meaningful climate solutions through technology while being part of a mission-driven organization that values open-source collaboration.

About This Role

As a Senior Full-Stack Engineer at OET, you'll build and improve applications across the organization, including product-grade web apps, dashboards, data tools, and internal platforms that support energy modeling workflows and real-world decision-making. You'll work across the entire stackโ€”frontend, backend, and data layerโ€”to ship new capabilities, modernize systems, and enhance reliability and developer velocity. This role is impactful because your work directly supports transparent energy planning, helping communities and policymakers make data-driven decisions for a sustainable future.

๐Ÿ’ก A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a remote stand-up meeting to align with the team across time zones, followed by coding sessions to develop new features for a web app or dashboard using Python and JavaScript. You could spend time optimizing database queries, collaborating on open-source tools via GitHub, and attending virtual workshops to plan energy modeling workflows, all while contributing to OET's goal of making energy data accessible and transparent.

๐ŸŽฏ Who Openenergytransition Is Looking For

  • Has 6-10 years of senior experience shipping full-stack products end-to-end, with a proven track record in building cloud services, web apps, and managing databases.
  • Is fluent in Python and JavaScript, with deep familiarity in their environments (venv, conda/mamba, pixi), and ideally has a history of open-source contributions, especially in energy or climate-related projects.
  • Thrives in a remote, collaborative setting with Europe-friendly overlap, is passionate about non-profit work and open-source missions, and can handle a broad scope from user-facing dashboards to backend APIs and automation.
  • Holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience, and is adaptable to occasional travel for workshops or team events, with a start date flexibility around early/mid 2026.

๐Ÿ“ Tips for Applying to Openenergytransition

1

Highlight specific open-source contributions in your resume, especially those related to energy, climate, or data tools, as OET values transparency and community collaboration.

2

Tailor your application to emphasize experience with both Python and JavaScript in cloud-based environments, detailing projects where you managed databases and built full-stack applications from scratch.

3

Demonstrate your understanding of OET's mission by referencing their open-source projects or tools in your cover letter, showing how your skills align with making energy planning accessible.

4

If you have remote work experience, mention how you've maintained productivity and collaboration across time zones, as Europe-friendly overlap is preferred.

5

Prepare to discuss your salary expectations within the 40-130k EUR range, considering the non-profit context and remote nature of the role.

โœ‰๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're passionate about OET's mission to make energy planning transparent and open-source, linking it to your personal or professional values.", "Provide concrete examples of your full-stack experience, such as building web apps or dashboards, and how you've improved reliability or developer velocity in past roles.", "Mention any open-source contributions, especially if they relate to energy, data tools, or non-profit work, to show alignment with OET's culture.", 'Discuss your ability to work remotely with occasional travel, and your flexibility for a start date in early/mid 2026, to demonstrate commitment and adaptability.']

Generate Cover Letter โ†’

๐Ÿ” Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • โ†’ Explore OET's open-source tools and data repositories on platforms like GitHub to understand their current projects and technical stack.
  • โ†’ Read about their mission and impact in energy planning, including any case studies or blog posts on their website, to grasp their non-profit goals.
  • โ†’ Look into the broader energy transition landscape and how open-source approaches are used in grid planning, to contextualize your application.
  • โ†’ Check if OET has participated in workshops or events, as mentioned in the job details, to get a sense of their community engagement and travel expectations.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Technical deep-dive into your experience with Python and JavaScript, including specific environments like venv or conda, and how you've used them in full-stack projects.
2 Discussion of your open-source contributions: what projects you've worked on, your role, and how they relate to OET's goals in energy and grid planning.
3 Scenario-based questions on building or modernizing cloud services and web apps, focusing on database management, API design, and improving system reliability.
4 Questions about working in a remote, non-profit setting: how you handle collaboration across time zones, prioritize tasks in a mission-driven environment, and contribute to team events.
5 Inquiry into your understanding of energy planning tools and data, and how you'd approach building applications that support modeling workflows for real-world decision-making.
Practice Interview Questions โ†’

โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without mentioning open-source experience or contributions, as this is a key requirement for the role and company culture.
  • Focusing only on frontend or backend skills without demonstrating full-stack proficiency, as the role requires work across the entire stack.
  • Neglecting to address the remote and non-profit aspects, such as failing to show how you've succeeded in similar environments or why you're motivated by mission-driven work.

๐Ÿ“… Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

โœ“

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Openenergytransition!