I need a backend engineer who can spin up a clean Node.js code-base that talks to a MongoDB instance. The immediate goal is a lightweight starting point—think environment setup, connection logic, and a couple of sample endpoints—so I can extend it later. What I’m looking for • Node.js with Express (or Next.js API routes if you prefer) • MongoDB integration—clean models and a tested connection helper • Familiarity with React/Next so the structure plays nicely with a future frontend • Basic Python knowledge is a plus; I occasionally run small data scripts and may ask for quick tweaks Deliverables 1. Minimal repository (Git) with clear README and env sample 2. Working endpoints demonstrating MongoDB read/write 3. Brief walkthrough of how to add new routes or collections Keep it lightweight, clear, and well-commented so I can maintain it myself.