Android Development Lead

Android Development Lead Location:Hybrid – Gurugram Department:Technology / Engineering Experience Level:8+ Years Employment Type:Full-TimeAbout the RoleWe are looking for a highly experienced and motivatedAndroid Development Leadto join our mobile team. In this role, you will be responsible for building and optimizing our Android client, ensuring seamless real-time communication, low-latency performance, and top-tier user experience. You’ll play a key role in bringing core messaging features to life — from real-time chat to encrypted group conversations and rich media handling.This is a hands-on role that offers the opportunity to shape the architecture, engineering practices, and product features of a high-scale messaging app used by millions of users worldwide.Key Responsibilities1. Architecture & App Development Design and implement scalable, maintainable Android architecture usingKotlinandmodern Jetpack libraries . Develop high-performance, real-time messaging features:chat screens ,typing indicators ,read receipts ,presence , anddelivery statuses . Build advanced media handling: support for image, video, audio sharing, background upload/download, in-app playback, etc. Integrate with real-time backends usingWebSockets ,Firebase , or custom protocols. Ensure offline support, message synchronization, and data consistency across sessions/devices.2. Security & Privacy Collaborate with backend/security teams to implementend-to-end encryption , secure local storage, andkey managementusing AndroidKeystore . Handle authentication flows, session management, and token security.3. Performance Optimization Continuously monitor and optimize app performance (memory, battery, network usage). Use tools likeAndroid Profiler ,LeakCanary ,StrictMode , andSystracefor performance tuning. Ensure seamless UX even under poor network conditions with proper error handling and retry strategies.4. Testing & Deployment Write comprehensiveunit, integration, and UI testsusing JUnit, Espresso, and MockK. Contribute toCI/CD pipelinesfor Android app releases. Participate incode reviews ,automated testing , andlinting .5. Collaboration & Documentation Work closely withproduct managers ,designers , andother engineersto define product requirements and implementation strategies. Provide technical mentorship to junior Android developers. Document key modules, APIs, and system behavior.Required Qualifications 8+ yearsof professional Android development experience. Strong command ofKotlinand in-depth knowledge ofAndroid SDK , architecture components, and Jetpack libraries. Experience building and maintaining large-scale consumer apps, preferably inreal-time messagingorcommunication domains . Deep understanding ofWebSockets , background services,network handling , andmultithreadingwithcoroutines . Experience withREST APIs ,Retrofit/OkHttp , and JSON parsing. Proficiency inJetpack libraries : ViewModel, LiveData/StateFlow, Room, WorkManager, Navigation. Familiar withsecure data storage ,Keystore , andapp security best practices . Strong knowledge of app lifecycle, background execution limits, Doze mode, and battery optimization.Preferred Qualifications Prior experience inmessaging apps , chat SDKs, or real-time communication. Experience withXMPP ,MQTT , or custom protocol integration. Knowledge ofJetpack Composeand declarative UI. Experience withFCM (Firebase Cloud Messaging)and custom notification handling. Exposure toWebRTC ,voice/video SDKs , or related media technologies. Understanding of analytics, crash reporting tools, and feature flag systems (e.g., Firebase, Sentry, Amplitude).