Principal Frontend Engineer

About the role

HavocAI is seeking a Principal Frontend Engineer to design and scale real‑time, map‑based interfaces that let operators command autonomous vehicles across air, surface and subsurface domains. The role focuses on high‑frequency telemetry, geospatial rendering performance, and resilient connectivity for mission‑critical systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the frontend architecture for high‑frequency real‑time data streams in React.
• Design and optimise the map layer system, handling large feature sets and interaction states.
• Implement core features, set coding standards, and conduct thorough code reviews.
• Identify and mitigate performance and architectural risks early.
• Mentor senior engineers on real‑time and geospatial engineering practices.
• Collaborate with the Head of Frontend and senior team to drive scaling decisions.

Eligibility

• 10+ years of frontend engineering experience, including staff or principal‑level impact.
• Proven track record building and scaling high‑volume, real‑time applications.
• Deep expertise with React and TypeScript and strong performance‑tuning skills.
• Experience with map libraries such as MapLibre, Mapbox GL or Deck.gl.
• Hands‑on knowledge of real‑time communication protocols (WebSockets, MQTT, gRPC‑web, SSE).
• Strong software architecture fundamentals and excellent communication abilities.

Skills

• React, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3
• Mapbox GL / MapLibre / Deck.gl for geospatial visualisation
• WebSockets, MQTT, gRPC‑web, Server‑Sent Events
• Browser performance optimisation (render, memory, CPU, GPU)
• Client‑side data architecture using workers, batching and caching
• Design for degraded or intermittent connectivity

Benefits

• 100% employer‑paid health, dental and vision insurance for employee and families
• Employer‑paid life insurance and 401(k) matching
• Unlimited PTO with a minimum two‑week guarantee
• Equity participation and work‑from‑home office stipend
• Global Entry, 16‑week paid parental leave, and monthly health & wellness stipend