Principal Agentic Engineer (Front-end)

Apply Digital Ltd.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agentic Delivery

Inclusive culture

AI Upskilling

Generous PTO

Custom benefits

Flexible work

Job summary

APPLY seeks an experienced frontend technologist to lead high-performance apps using TypeScript, React, and Next.js, with a focus on AI-powered features and scalable design systems.

You will translate product and UX inputs into precise specs for agents, mentor engineers, and partner with backend teams to deliver integrated frontend solutions in a hybrid work model from Canada.

Qualifications

• Proven TypeScript/JavaScript expertise and modern frontend frameworks.
• Extensive React/Next.js experience with workflow design.
• Experience with spec-driven development and API design.
• Hands-on AI tooling, agents and prompt engineering skills.
• Work with LLMs, vector stores and RAG-powered apps.
• Proven leadership at Staff/Lead level and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead frontend design and high-performance implementation.
• Translate backlog into detailed spec-driven tasks for agents.
• Architect frontend solutions that integrate with backend/AI systems.
• Mentor engineers and guide delivery timelines.
• Collaborate with product, UX, and clients; ensure scalable, accessible code.
• Drive integration with Google Cloud, APIs and design systems.

Skills

TypeScript & JavaScript

React & Next.js

Spec-driven development

RESTful APIs

AI coding agents

Prompt engineering

LLMs experience

Vector stores & RAG

Google Cloud Platform

Git & CI/CD

Staff/Lead leadership

Tools

Google Cloud Platform

Contentful

Contentstack

Algolia

Cloudinary

Vertex AI

Git

CI/CD

Job description

ABOUT APPLY

APPLY is the Agentic Customer Experience (ACx) partner for the world's most ambitious consumer and entertainment brands. We bring together deep domain expertise across Retail, CPG, Sports, and Media with AI-native delivery capability, designing and delivering agentic solutions that turn CX vision into commercial reality. We are the partner of choice for brands like Arc'teryx, NFL, Lululemon, and Kraft Heinz. For more information, visit applydigital.com.

LOCATION: APPLY is hybrid/remote friendly. The preferred candidate should be based in Canada, working in hours that align to ET (Eastern Timezone) or PT (Pacific Timezone).

THE ROLE:

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of high-performance frontend applications using TypeScript, React, and Next.js.
• Organizing, distributing and translating backlog requirements from Product, UX and other disciplines, into detailed spec driven requirements for Agents to implement.
• Synthesise user stories, site maps, content strategy, components and design systems, brand strategy, etc, into specifications that coding Agents will implement.
• Designing and implementing digital solutions that have proper SEO/GEO, accessibility, performance and content management integrations.
• Integrations with key Composable platforms such as Contentful, Contentstack, Algolia, Cloudinary, etc.
• Experience implementing enterprise grade design systems, content models and component libraries.
• Apply spec-driven development to ensure clarity, consistency, and high-quality delivery.
• Architect frontend solutions that integrate seamlessly with backend services and AI-powered systems.
• Design user experiences that help users express goals, constraints, and context clearly to AI agents.
• Design and implement frontend experiences that leverage: AI-powered APIs and LLM-driven features and RAG-based experiences and AI-assisted workflows
• Collaborate with backend teams to consume RESTful APIs effectively.
• Ensure frontend systems are scalable, maintainable, accessible, and well-documented.
• Provide mentorship and technical leadership to frontend engineers.
• Partner with Project Managers and stakeholders to manage delivery risks and timelines.
• Communicate complex frontend and AI concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, including clients.

REQUIREMENTS

• Strong experience with TypeScript and modern JavaScript.
• Extensive experience with React and Next.js.
• Proven experience with spec-driven development.
• Experience creating and consuming RESTful APIs.
• Hands-on experience with AI coding agents (e.g., Copilot, Claude Code).
• Strong prompt engineering skills.
• Experience working with LLMs (e.g., Gemini 3, Claude Opus, GPT-4.x/5.x).
• Experience with vector stores and RAG-powered applications.
• Experience using Agent Development Kits (e.g., Google ADK).
• Experience building applications deployed on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Familiarity with Vertex AI and Google Gen AI APIs.
• Experience with Git and CI/CD workflows.
• Strong system design fundamentals, including API design, data flow, caching strategies, and performance considerations for production-scale applications.
• Proven leadership experience at a Staff or Lead level, including mentoring engineers and leading delivery of complex frontend systems.
• Generalist engineering strength, with comfort understanding backend systems and how frontend architecture integrates into distributed systems.
• Demonstrated curiosity and passion for Generative AI, with a desire to make it a core career focus. And
• Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience collaborating effectively with fully remote, distributed teams.
• Experience in a consultancy or professional services firm.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-moving, agency-style environment.

NICE TO HAVES

• Experience with BMAD Method or similar spec driven development frameworks.
• Experience with AI agent design patterns, task planning, and reasoning.
• Experience with agent observability and debugging.
• Familiarity with layered and distributed architectures.
• Experience with Terraform.
• Experience with backend technologies to support full-stack collaboration.
• Experience with eCommerce platforms or complex frontend ecosystems.

$170,000 - $220,000 a year

LIFE AT APPLY

People are at the core of everything we do at APPLY. We provide you with modern tools, systems and approaches, value your time, safety, and health, and strive to build a work community where you can thrive and grow. Here are a few benefits we offer to support you:

Agentic Delivery: Our people work in a modern way to deliver client outcomes. Broaden your skills on a range of engagements with international brands that have a global impact.

An inclusive and safe environment: We're truly committed to building a culture where you are celebrated and everyone feels welcome and safe.

AI & Strategic Upskilling: Accelerate your professional growth with generous training budgets and mentorship, with a specific focus on Agentic AI expertise and the critical human skills required for the future of work.

Generous vacation policy: Work-life balance is key to our team’s success, so we offer flexible personal time off (PTO); allowing ample time away from work to promote overall well-being.

Customizable benefits: Tailor your extended health and dental plan to your needs, priorities, and preferences.

Flexible work arrangements: We work in a variety of ways, from remote, to in-office, to a blend of both.

APPLY is a safe, respectful, and inclusive community where differences are celebrated. We are committed to equal opportunity and fostering a workplace where everyone belongs. Learn more in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) section. For recruitment accommodations, please email [e-mail].