Bright Carbon Ltd. – IT recruitment of senior Node.js developers

Tsiala Jobava

Introduction

BrightCarbon Ltd., a Manchester-based marketing agency, needed to strengthen its internal technical capacity as demand for automated presentation tools grew. They were developing proprietary PowerPoint and Google Slides add-ins aimed at streamlining design workflows and improving user experience. To support these initiatives, the company required experienced backend developers proficient in Node.js which is the core technology powering their server-side logic. The tech stack, including Node.js, Azure, and Microsoft Graph, was defined internally by BrightCarbon based on existing architecture and long-term scalability needs.

In early 2024, BrightCarbon partnered with DevsData LLC to fill two remote senior Node.js developer roles with highly specific technical and cultural requirements. DevsData LLC was selected for its proven ability to recruit top-tier engineers for complex, cross-functional roles and for its speed in delivering tailored hiring solutions across international markets.

The process was completed in just under eight weeks, resulting in two successful hires who are now actively supporting the development of new presentation automation features.

Client overview

BrightCarbon is a leading UK presentation design agency that specializes in compelling slide creation, interactive e-learning, animations, and advanced presentation training. With over a decade of experience and 5000+ clients worldwide, the company helps businesses communicate ideas visually and effectively. Their services cater to sales, learning, and development (L&D), and internal communications teams at an enterprise scale.

As BrightCarbon’s digital offerings matured, the company faced growing demand for more sophisticated, tech-enabled solutions, particularly in automating PowerPoint design and animation workflows. Their existing setup could no longer support the scale or complexity of new client needs, which included building and maintaining proprietary add-ins for PowerPoint and Google Slides. To stay competitive and accelerate innovation, BrightCarbon recognized the need to strengthen its in-house development capacity, with a particular focus on backend systems that could support advanced automation and seamless integration with third-party tools.

Before engaging DevsData LLC, BrightCarbon tried to fill the roles through a mix of internal recruitment efforts and traditional local hiring agencies. However, these channels fell short in identifying candidates who matched both the technical requirements, such as Node.js and Microsoft Graph, and the cultural attributes needed for a distributed, cross-functional team. This talent gap created a bottleneck in their roadmap, prompting them to seek a partner with broader reach and deeper specialization in international tech recruitment.

Faced with these challenges, BrightCarbon turned to DevsData LLC, known for its precision in identifying top-tier developers for particular roles. With a strong international network, a data-driven screening approach, and deep experience in tech recruitment, DevsData LLC quickly became the go-to partner for building BrightCarbon’s technical foundation.

Project scope & objectives

The partnership with DevsData LLC focused on hiring two senior Node.js developers to:

• Develop and maintain backend infrastructure for PowerPoint/Google Slides integrations.
• Build internal tools to automate repetitive design and animation tasks.
• Optimize existing Node.js backend systems for scalability and performance.
• Integrate Microsoft Graph and Azure services securely and efficiently.
• Support frontend and UX teams with cross-functional collaboration.
• Contribute to the future roadmap, including VR features and data-driven custom add-ins.

These roles were seen as critical to the company’s long-term strategy of delivering scalable, tech-enhanced design solutions.

Challenges & constraints

The recruitment process for BrightCarbon Ltd. presented several significant challenges that required a highly focused approach. One of the primary constraints was a strict geographical requirement: all candidates had to be based in Bulgaria. Although BrightCarbon is a UK-based company, it had previously established internal operations and remote workflows in Bulgaria, making it a preferred location for legal, logistical, and managerial consistency. The client was particularly concerned about maintaining team cohesion and ensuring smooth collaboration across time zones – something they had successfully achieved in past engagements with Bulgarian developers. This narrowed talent pool demanded a precise, localized sourcing strategy to identify candidates who not only met the technical criteria but also aligned culturally with BrightCarbon’s distributed team.

Additionally, the roles demanded a specialized and rare skill set. While strong Node.js expertise was non-negotiable, candidates also needed hands-on experience with Microsoft Graph API, MongoDB, and Azure, technologies that are not frequently found together in a single profile. Finding candidates with both depth and breadth across this stack was particularly challenging.

Beyond technical qualifications, cultural alignment was crucial. BrightCarbon operates in a highly specialized space at the intersection of design, e-learning, and visual storytelling. In this environment, developers must understand not only code but also the creative context in which their work will be used. The hired developers would be working closely with a hybrid team of designers, instructional content creators, and frontend developers, making strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a cross-disciplinary, visually driven setting essential. Understanding the creative process and being able to translate technical ideas into design-enhancing tools was just as crucial as backend expertise.

Compounding these challenges was the fact that the hires would be onboarded entirely remotely, which meant they needed to be proactive, self-sufficient, and able to contribute independently from day one. Finally, the project’s time sensitivity added pressure – BrightCarbon had internal deadlines tied to its Q2 2024 roadmap, so the recruitment process had to be completed quickly without compromising on quality.

Strategic recruitment approach

DevsData LLC compressed a 5-stage pipeline built for rare-stack filtering in a narrow market.

Initial scoping and role definition

Collaborated with BrightCarbon’s Head of Product and internal developers to define the exact technical and cultural requirements of the roles. This included clarifying the preferred tech stack (Node.js, Azure, Microsoft Graph), team structure, and the level of autonomy expected from candidates in a fully remote setup.

Talent sourcing

Utilized DevsData LLC’s proprietary talent database of over 65000 vetted profiles and activated our extended network across Bulgaria. We focused on Node.js developers who had additional experience with backend system architecture, Azure services, and Microsoft Graph API, prioritizing quality over volume to ensure relevance.

Screening and vetting

DevsData LLC conducted in-depth 1:1 interviews to assess each candidate’s core backend development skills, system design capabilities, and hands-on experience with similar projects. Technical evaluations covered critical areas such as backend scalability, MongoDB proficiency, DevOps integration, and familiarity with cloud infrastructure. In parallel, the team carefully evaluated candidates’ communication styles, collaboration approaches, and their ability to integrate seamlessly into BrightCarbon’s hybrid team culture, comprising designers, instructional content experts, and developers.

Client interviews and trial task

Shortlisted candidates were invited to complete a paid trial assignment that simulated a real-world use case involving backend logic for a PowerPoint plugin. This practical assessment allowed BrightCarbon to evaluate code quality, documentation, and problem-solving capabilities in context.

Offer and negotiation support

DevsData LLC managed all aspects of the offer process, aligning compensation expectations, outlining contractual terms, and ensuring candidates were comfortable with the remote work structure, flexible hours, and communication cadence. This helped reduce negotiation cycles and facilitated quick, smooth onboarding.

Results & impact

BrightCarbon and DevsData LLC formed a recruitment collaboration that yielded significant, measurable results in a short period. Two senior Node.js developers were successfully onboarded within eight weeks, meeting the client’s schedule and enabling the organization to progress with crucial product milestones.

“The new hires significantly improved backend performance. Within just three months, backend uptime increased by 30%, and the volume of automation-related support tickets dropped by 40%, thanks to proactive code optimizations and better system stability.”

Their contributions were instrumental in helping BrightCarbon stay on track with its Q2 2024 roadmap, including the successful launch of new PowerPoint automation features designed to streamline client workflows.

From a team perspective, the integration of remote developers into BrightCarbon’s largely UK-based, design-driven environment was seamless, despite the unique demands of the visual communications and e-learning industry. The new engineers quickly adapted to working alongside a creative team where design aesthetics, instructional clarity, and user experience are as important as technical performance. They actively participated in virtual meetings, contributed meaningfully during sprint planning sessions, and even joined the company’s twice-yearly UK meetups, reinforcing cross-functional collaboration and long-term team cohesion.

Encouraged by the outcome, BrightCarbon has already expressed interest in working with DevsData LLC again for future technical hires, signaling the beginning of a longer-term recruitment partnership.

Conclusion

This collaboration showcased not only DevsData LLC’s recruitment skills but also their unique ability to step into BrightCarbon’s world, blending creativity and tech, and find people who truly fit. In a market where the right talent is rare and the stakes are high, DevsData LLC didn’t just deliver candidates – they brought in developers who felt like a natural extension of the team, added value from day one, and played a key role in accelerating BrightCarbon’s innovation roadmap.

If your organization is looking for specialized backend or full stack developers with specific regional requirements, reach out to DevsData LLC at general@devsdata.com or visit www.devsdata.com for more information.

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Tsiala Jobava Copywriter and Marketer

Tsiala Jobava is a talented marketing specialist from Georgia. Tsiala holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Georgian American University and a master’s in Marketing and Communication from Barcelona Business School. She has built a diverse career, working as a copywriter and in marketing and PR, before returning to her first passion – writing. Along the way, she has gained valuable experience in social media management, content creation, and brand development.

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