Job Title
Mac Mini Server Setup + Flask Production Dashboard for Manufacturing Plant
Job Description
We are an oilseed crushing and refining company in Turkey. We need a backend developer to set up a Mac Mini as an always-on local server running a production monitoring dashboard for our factory floor.
What You'll Build
Phase 1 (2 weeks — fixed price):
Mac Mini headless server setup — SSH access, static IP on local network, auto-boot on power loss, process auto-restart via launchd
WhatsApp integration via Clawdot — configure Clawdot automation tool to monitor a dedicated WhatsApp group, trigger on incoming production reports, and parse structured messages into data fields
Data parser + validation engine (Python) — parse 10 production fields from WhatsApp messages, validate against defined ranges, flag anomalies, store in SQLite
SQLite database — schema for shift-level production data (processed seed, produced oil, produced meal, quality parameters), daily backups to USB/cloud
Flask dashboard (dark theme) — single-screen HTML/CSS dashboard showing production summary, quality indicators, 7-day rolling history table, color-coded thresholds (green/yellow/red), auto-refresh every 60 seconds
Finance tab — read-only view with daily/monthly totals and CSV export
Error handling — missing data displays "VERİ YOK" (no data), stale data banner after 12h, duplicate message handling, malformed message logging
Technical Environment
Hardware: Mac Mini M2 (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
OS: macOS (latest)
Backend: Python 3, Flask
Database: SQLite
Automation: Clawdot (we will provide credentials and documentation)
Dashboard: Server-rendered HTML/CSS, no frontend frameworks
Network: Local plant network, ethernet connection, accessed via browser from any device on the network
Language: Dashboard labels in Turkish, code/comments in English
Data Fields You'll Handle
Each shift report contains: processed seed (tons), produced oil (tons), produced meal (tons), residual oil in meal (%), meal moisture (%), meal protein (%), oil FFA (%), oil color, oil sediment (%). System must validate all fields against defined ranges and calculate oil yield and meal yield automatically.
What We Provide
Detailed blueprint document with full specifications (schema, validation rules, threshold logic, dashboard layout, error handling matrix)
Clawdot credentials and access
Mac Mini hardware (already purchased or will purchase to your spec recommendation)
Domain expertise — you build, we validate
Ongoing Support (after Phase 1)
Monthly retainer for maintenance, bug fixes, and Phase 2 enhancements (TL valuation, cost-per-ton calculations, trend charts). Expected 5–10 hours/month.
Required Skills
Python (Flask) — 3+ years production experience
macOS server administration — headless setup, SSH, launchd, networking
SQLite — schema design, backups, data integrity
HTML/CSS — dark-themed, large-font dashboards for industrial/plant floor visibility
REST API / webhook integration — for connecting Clawdot triggers to your backend
Basic networking — static IP, firewall, local network access
Preferred Skills
Experience with WhatsApp Business API or automation tools (Clawdot, Make, Zapier)
Turkish language familiarity (dashboard labels are in Turkish)
Experience building monitoring dashboards for manufacturing or industrial environments
CSV export and data reporting
Not Required
Cloud/AWS (this is 100% local)
Frontend frameworks (React, Vue, Angular)
Machine learning or AI
Mobile development
Project Details
Type: Fixed-price (Phase 1), then hourly retainer
Phase 1 Budget: $3,000 – $5,000
Phase 1 Timeline: 2 weeks from start
Ongoing Retainer: $500 – $1,000/month (5–10 hours)
Location preference: Any timezone, but Turkey/Europe timezone preferred
Communication: English or Turkish
Screening Question
Before we interview, please answer briefly:
Have you set up a Mac Mini (or any macOS machine) as a headless always-on server? Describe the setup.
Have you built a Flask application that ingests data from an external trigger (webhook, API call, or automation tool) and displays it on a dashboard? Share a link or screenshot if possible.
What is your experience with SQLite in production environments?
Are you comfortable working with Turkish-language UI labels and character encoding?
Paid Test Task ($250)
Before full engagement, we will ask shortlisted candidates to complete a paid test:
Set up a Flask app that: (1) accepts a POST request with JSON body containing processed_seed, produced_oil, produced_meal, residual_oil, and oil_ffa, (2) validates each field against defined min/max ranges, (3) stores valid records in SQLite with timestamp, (4) serves a single dark-themed HTML page showing the last 7 entries in a table with color-coded status indicators (green/yellow/red). Include auto-refresh. Dockerize or use launchd for auto-start. Document the setup in a README.
Expected delivery: 48 hours. This mirrors the actual project scope.
How to Apply
Send a short proposal (not a template) that includes:
Your relevant experience with Flask + macOS server setups
A link to one similar project (dashboard, data pipeline, or server setup)
Your availability to start within the next 7 days
Your fixed-price quote for Phase 1
We will respond to qualified proposals within 48 hours.
Contract duration of 1 to 3 months. with 30 hours per week.
Mandatory skills: Python, Flask, SSH, SQLite