What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Frontend Engineer position at Code Metal?
About Code Metal
Code Metal is redefining code translation for mission-critical industries, helping defense partners move more quickly and reliably from algorithm to silicon. Our platform accelerates deployment of DSP, RF, communications, and embedded signal processing algorithms onto heterogeneous compute targets, including GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, and edge SoCs. We also support automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor partners deploying complex algorithms onto constrained hardware with speed and rigor.
We are hiring a Principal Frontend Engineer who will be a critical part of how we build and ship. You'll own frontend architecture for our TypeScript/React application, set technical standards, and design scalable UI patterns for complex geospatial workflows (Cesium). You'll mentor engineers, partner with leadership on priorities, and write production code daily. This is a hands-on, coding-heavy role — if you lead by doing, we want to hear from you.
The Role
Code Metal is redefining code translation for mission-critical industries, helping defense partners move more quickly and reliably from algorithm to silicon. Our platform accelerates deployment of DSP, RF, communications, and embedded signal processing algorithms onto heterogeneous compute targets, including GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, and edge SoCs. We also support automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor partners deploying complex algorithms onto constrained hardware with speed and rigor.
We are hiring a Principal Frontend Engineer who will be a critical part of how we build and ship. You'll own frontend architecture for our TypeScript/React application, set technical standards, and design scalable UI patterns for complex geospatial workflows (Cesium). You'll mentor engineers, partner with leadership on priorities, and write production code daily. This is a hands-on, coding-heavy role — if you lead by doing, we want to hear from you.
The Role
- Set front-end architecture and technical standards for a TypeScript/React application.
- Design scalable UI patterns for complex geospatial workflows (Cesium) and surrounding app features.
- Establish best practices for state management, component architecture, performance, testing, and maintainability.
- Partner with engineering leadership to plan, prioritize, and deliver high-impact product work.
- Mentor engineers through code reviews, architecture discussions, and practical implementation guidance.
- Drive execution: this role is hands-on and coding-heavy, not a “pure strategy” position.
- 8 years building and scaling front-end systems; deep React TypeScript expertise.
- Strong architectural judgment: you can balance “build fast” with “don’t paint us into a corner.”
- Track record leading complex UI work (interactive, data-heavy apps; performance matters).
- Experience working with design systems / component libraries (we’re using MUI).
- Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment with minimal process overhead.
- Excellent communication: you can align teammates around patterns and decisions without slowing delivery.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance
- GIS / geospatial domain experience (Cesium, mapping frameworks, geo interactions, coordinate systems, etc.).
- Experience with visualization libraries (not required; product is more geospatial UI workflows than pure D3).
- Backend familiarity (API design, debugging cross-stack issues).
- Prior work on simulation platforms, gaming-adjacent UI paradigms, or real-time systems.
- Active U.S. security clearance (Secret or Top-Secret)
- Pay depends on experience, but we strive to be at the upper end of the salary range
- Health care plan with 100% premium coverage, including medical, dental, and vision
- 401k with 5% matching
- Paid Time Off (uncapped vacation, plus sick and public holidays)
- Flexible hybrid or remote work arrangement
- Relocation assistance for qualifying employees