Engineering
Lead Front-End Engineer
Join Expanse, a fast-growing startup transforming how people work with AI, as our Lead Front-End Software Engineer. Your work will be instrumental in shaping the core product that users interact with every day.
Key Details
Role Type
Senior SWE / Tech Lead
Experience
7+ years, with 3+ years leading SWE teams
Base Salary
NZ applicants $140K-170K (Non NZ range adjusted to location)
Equity
Yes, negotiated on top of base salary
Work Location
Hybrid / Remote
The Position
This is a hands-on senior role for an ambitious, user-focused technologist who wants to make a significant impact on the future of AI.
As our Lead Front-End Engineer, you'll architect and guide the development of Expanse's React/TypeScript-based front-end, collaborating closely with Product, Design, and Backend teams to deliver an unparalleled user experience.
What You'll Do
Lead the front-end team in building elegant, high-performance React/Next.js/TypeScript UI
Partner with Product and Design to plan, prototype, and implement intuitive user flows
Integrate with backend APIs to bring data to life in dynamic, real-time interfaces
Optimize performance, accessibility, and responsiveness for all devices
Establish front-end architecture, best practices, and UI development frameworks
Build reusable UI components, style guides, and documentation for consistency at scale
Mentor and grow a talented team of front-end engineers that follow modern best practices
Proactively identify and tackle technical debt, bugs, and performance bottlenecks
Proactively tackle bugs, bottlenecks, and technical debt to ensure a smooth user experience
Our Ideal Candidate
7+ years shipping production-grade React/Next.js/TypeScript applications, with 3+ years leading software engineering teams
Genuine interest in AI/LLMs and prompt engineering
Mastery of modern web standards, CSS, cross-browser compatibility, and UI performance
Expert command of front-end ecosystem including Redux, Next.js, Jest, Storybook, etc.
Deep understanding of UX principles, accessibility, responsiveness, and design systems
Experience building rich text editors (e.g., Slate, Lexical) a bonus
Familiarity with backend engineering, RESTful APIs, and GraphQL a plus (You just love front-end!)
Experience with unit testing, integration testing, E2E testing, and CI/CD pipelines
Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail
Passion for polished, performant, and delightful user experiences
Excellent communication skills to collaborate cross-functionally and champion the user
Adaptable, self-aware, and leads by example
Bachelor's in Computer Science or equivalent experience
Why You'll Love Expanse
Be part of a passionate, talented team on a mission to make workplace AI accessible globally
Tackle exciting technical challenges at the forefront of AI, NLP, and knowledge management
Own your work, grow your skills, and make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced, collaborative startup
Competitive compensation, generous equity, professional development, and perks to support your wellbeing
Inclusive, diverse, supportive culture that empowers you to do your best work