Must-have skills:

• Node.JS
• AWS infrastructure (esp S3 + MediaConvert)
• PostgreSQL or another relational database
• MongoDB or other NoSql databases
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Good Understanding of TDD
• Commitment to Clean Code principles
• Understanding of CI tools and flows, esp Git flow

Very nice-to-have:

• Django 3
• A degree in a numerate subject (Computer Science/Physics/Math)

Nice to have:

• Front-end technologies (ReactJS + npm + WebPack)
• OAUTH2 flows, JWT and social media authentication
• Security
• Any DRM experience

General principles that make a candidate ideal:

• Clearly highly intelligent demonstrated via previous experience, education or even an out of work interest
• Someone with something peculiar about them, something you might not see everyday
• The client does not discriminate based on age. People with relatively few years of experience that have already achieved impressive things are particularly interesting to them
• Top University graduates will often obtain an interview as they've showcased significant ability to obtain a spot there
• The team is very driven in it's approach to work, it's important someone is in a position in life to have that drive and work ethic

For these early employees options are on the table so the right person is important to the client.