---
title: 'Head of Development at AppNation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-development-appnation-istanbul-0k708sh8n85r'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Head of Development at AppNation

- **Company:** AppNation
- **Location:** İstanbul, Turkey
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-04-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/appnation/5caf2a1d-95c3-47cb-870e-ec623f56922f

## Job description

## About AppNation

We build AI-powered mobile apps that reach millions of users worldwide. Since 2021, AppNation has been creating products across AI, productivity, and mobile experiences. Our apps, including Genie, Translate AI, and Arch, have reached 90M+ downloads globally and ranked among the top apps in 30+ countries. We are a team of builders, designers, and engineers who move fast, take ownership, and create products used by millions.

## About the Role

We’re looking for a Head of Development to lead our engineering organization and build AI-powered mobile products used by millions worldwide. You’ll work across Backend, Mobile, Frontend, and QA teams, driving technical strategy and execution from architecture decisions to product delivery. You’ll raise engineering standards, foster an AI-first development culture, and partner closely with leadership to scale both our technology and our team.

## What You’ll Do

- Define and drive the engineering strategy, architecture, and technology roadmap across our products.
- Lead engineering execution across Backend, Frontend, Mobile, and QA teams, from planning to delivery.
- Raise engineering standards through hands-on technical leadership, code reviews, and mentorship.
- Build scalable, secure, and high-performing systems while continuously improving reliability and developer productivity.
- Leverage AI-powered development tools and workflows to accelerate delivery and engineering excellence.
- Partner closely with Product, Data, AI, Marketing, and leadership to align technology with business goals.

## What We’re Looking For

- 8+ years of software engineering experience, including 2+ years in an engineering leadership role.
- Strong expertise in Node.js, distributed systems, microservices, event-driven architectures, and cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, or Azure).
- Practical experience with Flutter or native iOS/Android, with a solid understanding of the mobile development lifecycle.
- Hands-on experience with modern engineering practices, including AI-powered development tools, CI/CD, and cloud infrastructure.
- Proven ability to lead engineering teams, make technical decisions, and deliver scalable, high-quality products.
- Strong communication skills, ownership mindset, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Why AppNation?

- Build and scale products reaching millions of users globally.
- Work with talented people in a fast-moving AI-first environment.
- Take ownership and see your impact directly in the products you build.
- Grow quickly with opportunities to lead projects and shape technical decisions.
- Enjoy competitive compensation and benefits, including private health insurance, meal and commute support, relocation support, and flexible working options.

Our Hiring Process Application Review → Interview → Technical Assessment → Final Interviews At AppNation, we set ambitious goals and challenge ourselves to build products that reach millions of people. We value curiosity, ownership, and continuous growth. If this role excites you and you're ready to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now, we're excited to meet you.

## About AppNation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: AppNation is a mobile app publisher that creates category‑leading AI‑powered apps, making advanced AI technology easy to use and accessible for everyone.
- **Entity Type**: Private (funding stage not publicly available)
- **Headquarters**: Şişli, İstanbul, Turkey
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Yalçın Özdemir (CEO), İbrahim Karahan (CTO), Saffet Arslan (CDO), Mustafa Ayten (COO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Mobile application development, artificial intelligence, consumer software
- **Target customers**: B2C – everyday consumers looking for AI‑powered photo/video editing, chatbot assistance, and home design tools
- **Mission**: To bring cutting‑edge, AI‑driven technology into the hands of everyday people, unlocking endless possibilities [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/)

## Products & Services
- **[Genie](https://www.appnation.co/)**: AI chatbot app that offers access to multiple large language models (ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude, Gemini, Grok) in a single interface – over 15 million downloads.
- **[Fotorama](https://www.appnation.co/)**: AI‑powered photo and video generation app, recognized as a Top 10 AI Photo App worldwide in the Rise of AI Apps Report 2025 by AppFigures.
- **[Arch](https://www.appnation.co/)**: AI‑powered home design tool that reached over 5 million downloads and ranked #1 design tool in more than 30 countries.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Total app portfolio exceeds 40 apps; cumulative user base includes over 15 million downloads for Genie, 5 million for Arch, and millions of AI predictions/tokens processed daily [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount expanded to 60+ team members (currently 69 total employees per Built In); consistent new app launches and feature updates (e.g., integrating DeepSeek into Genie in early 2025) [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/appnation)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Platform approach**: Standardized app‑development platform that enables rapid prototyping and publishing of multiple AI‑driven apps.
- **Multi‑model integration**: Genie aggregates five leading AI models, offering users a one‑stop chatbot experience.
- **Category leadership**: Multiple apps rank among the top in their respective App Store categories (photo, design, AI assistant).

## Strategic Focus
- Continue creating category‑defining AI mobile apps and expanding the technology platform that powers them.
- Deepen integration of emerging AI models (e.g., DeepSeek) and strengthen the existing portfolio’s market position.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as a forward‑thinking, innovative team that constantly challenges itself and the limits of technology [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/careers).
- **Work model**: Hybrid – open positions in İstanbul are listed as “Hybrid — Full‑time” on Lever; company also offers optional work‑from‑home days [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/appnation) [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/careers).
- **Perks**: Competitive compensation, private health insurance, access to learning platforms, and a supportive work environment with “better‑than‑average” benefits [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/careers).

## Sources
1. [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/) – Company homepage with product details and latest updates
2. [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/about) – About page with founding story, founders, and timeline
3. [appnation.co](https://www.appnation.co/careers) – Careers page with perks and open positions
4. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/appnation) – Active job listings showing hybrid roles
5. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/appnation) – Company profile with employee count, office location, and culture summary

## Other roles at AppNation

- [Marketing Manager (with ASO&ASA Expertise)](https://feeny.ai/job/marketing-manager-with-aso-asa-expertise-appnation-istanbul-x9agy90xc875) — İstanbul, Turkey
- [Staff Mobile Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-mobile-engineer-appnation-istanbul-p7a6ckr6en1b) — İstanbul, Turkey
- [Growth Marketing Manager (User Acquisition) - Mobile Subscription Products](https://feeny.ai/job/growth-marketing-manager-user-acquisition-mobile-subscription-products-sae9sx7spj9c) — İstanbul, Turkey
- [Product Designer  - AI Apps Studio](https://feeny.ai/job/product-designer-ai-apps-studio-appnation-istanbul-xnha4me9rdmw) — İstanbul, Turkey
- [Mid / Senior Product Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/mid-senior-product-manager-appnation-istanbul-xfw8pqvh0q1n) — İstanbul, Turkey