We’re seeking a technologically curious and open-minded Principal Front End Engineer to join the team here at Flatfile. In this role, you'll have the chance to significantly shape our front-end engineering team, own key aspects, and contribute to our core platform's user interface. This role is pivotal in achieving company goals as we enter the new frontier of data exchange. This is a unique role, one that offers the opportunity to solve complex, unique problems alongside a team of world-class engineers. If you're passionate, open to feedback, and eager to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of technical possibilities, this role is for you.

This role reports to: H Jordan, Engineering Lead of Data Experience

This role may be listed at other companies as:

• Staff Front End Engineer

• Senior Front End Engineer

• Lead Front End Engineer

Why are we hiring for this role now?

Hi, I’m H 👋. I’ve always had a passion for creating and building, and I got into engineering because of this love of problem-solving. Initially, I started my career in consulting, as I loved tackling unique challenges. However, after some time in that industry, my path led me to Flatfile; after a while, the issues I was solving became repetitive, and I wanted to work somewhere with diverse problems that nobody had seen before: from data streaming to creating hyper-optimized UI/UX, to building beautiful products for both technical and non-technical users; this team does it all.

A pivotal realization in my career was that a well-engineered product requires the collaboration of all departments, not just engineering. At Flatfile, we embrace values like curiosity, pride in our work, seizing opportunities for improvement, accountability, humility in seeking feedback, and transparency in communication.

Our Front End team collaborates cross-functionally on a daily basis, and this level of interaction is something I love about this role. We talk to Design, Customer Success, Sales, and more to prioritize product features, plan future work, provide code demonstrations, and add new features. In other words, you won’t run out of things to do here!

Flatfile is the place for those eager to step out of their comfort zone, use cutting-edge technology, and aren't afraid to take risks. If you're seeking a role where you can genuinely influence product development and are comfortable with the challenge of continuous learning, consider reading on.

The job

As a Principal Front End Engineer, you'll be at the heart of Flatfile's mission to deliver a top-tier, performant product experience. Your day-to-day will involve building high-quality, sustainable codebases, researching new technologies, and continuously improving our front-end applications. You'll be a key player in ensuring our product is not just functional but a joy to use

Your role extends beyond coding to include leadership and strategic guidance. You'll work closely with other engineering leaders to shape Flatfile's architectural direction, and make complex technical decisions that will help accelerate growth. Expect to be involved in product feature prioritization, mentoring and teaching, and actively contribute to team betterment. There’s no shortage of day-to-day tasks.

We’ll know this is the right role for you if, in due time, you can confidently propose new product and technical strategies, actively engage in product goal setting, and help educate and skill-up the team around you. Your influence will be evident both in the product's progress, and the success and impact of your team members.

Collaboration is key. You'll work daily with your engineering teammates, as well as directly with our CEO, David. By partnering and having regular interactions with our Head of Design, VP of Customer Success and Support, and Build Operations teams, we’re ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach to product development.

Your main responsibilities:

• You’ll take ownership of many aspects of the frontend interactive data experience of Flatfile. This involves managing and enhancing the core aspects of our product, ensuring a seamless and efficient user interface.
• You’ll identify and address complex UI challenges, particularly in collaborative data interaction and real-time event streaming. 
• Focus your time on developing high-performance React components capable of handling large data sets efficiently; we have files that come through Flatfile upward of a million rows, and we need to get these processed quickly, and beautifully. 
• Actively improve front-end development processes and workflows. Drive a continuous improvement culture, optimize efficiency, and ensure our technology stays at the forefront of industry standards.

• You have experience working in one or more of the following industries: a developer-first company, an API or open-source-based company, or a high-growth SaaS startup.
• You possess experience leading complex front-end development projects with a track record of successful delivery and providing technical leadership.
• You have an in-depth understanding of front-end architectural patterns, best practices, performance optimization, and experience using creativity to solve technical challenges.
• You're passionate about seeking and implementing new designs, tools, and methods, constantly looking for ways to improve our technology and the quality of software.
• You're technologically curious, staying updated with industry trends and advancements in front-end development, and incorporating relevant knowledge into your work.
• You demonstrate values of curiosity, pride in your work, seizing opportunities for improvement, accountability, humility in seeking feedback, and transparency in communication.

• You don’t want to decide on the best-paved road to build for Flatfile and expect a lead or manager to make the final call on what that is. Our leads (and managers) give plenty of commentary and feedback on decisions and how they’re made, but you ship what you want to build and are accountable for it.
• You refrain from engaging in or find it challenging to handle debates about the future state of products; we need someone who can have an opinion yet remain open-minded.
• You would prefer to avoid challenging the status quo or pushing the boundaries of technical possibilities, as this role demands continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies.
• You’ve never worked in a fast-paced environment. We move quickly. And a lot of places say that, but trust us, we really do. If you’re one who gets frustrated when priorities change rapidly, we’re not the place for you.

• We're looking for someone with 7 years of experience in front-end development - with extensive focus on React, TypeScript, and related technologies which are highly considerate of performant, and accessible user interfaces.

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents Flatfile's reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Colorado.

Staff Front End Engineer Salary: $185,000 - $200,000 annually

Principal Front End Engineer Salary: $205,000 - $225,000 annually

Equity: this role is eligible to participate in Flatfile's equity plan

Reasons you’ll love working here

🫂 Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for you and your dependents

🏦 401k match. 100% matching for up to 3% and a 50% match for the next 2%

💸 Equity options for all full-time employees

🏠 100% remote work environment

🏖️ Flexible paid time off, with a recommended minimum of 3 weeks

🎨 $10,000 home office makeover with personal access to an interior designer

🛜 $150 per month toward cell phone and wifi

💻 The best tools to do your work, including a Mac laptop and top-of-the-line hardware.

🏥 24/7 access to a Health Advocate & free annual membership to One Medical

👶 12 weeks of paid family leave

And much more!

Flatfile believes a diverse and inclusive environment is key to building a great company. As such, Flatfile is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming for people from all walks of life; we do not discriminate based on race, color, gender identity, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we are invested in growth that empowers everyone to succeed.