Lead - Software Engineer

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

On in Zurich seeks a senior frontend architect to own the frontend architecture across web and mobile platforms. You will steer technical strategy, mentor engineers, and drive cross-team collaboration with product, design and strategy to shape the platform roadmap.

You will lead architectural transitions, ensure high uptime, and champion performance, accessibility, and modular design across Flutter and React-based stacks.

Qualifications

• 6+ years designing, deploying, and supporting production web/mobile apps.
• Strong experience in system architecture and multi-platform delivery.
• Proven track record guiding cross-functional squads in incubator/scale-up environments.

Responsibilities

• Own web and mobile frontend architecture for the platform.
• Mentor engineers and drive architectural excellence.
• Lead cross-team initiatives aligning with organizational goals.
• Partner with Product, Design, and Strategy to shape the roadmap.
• Define benchmarks for design, health, accessibility, and performance.

Skills

Frontend architecture

TypeScript

React

Flutter

System design

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's in CS

Tools

Next.js

GraphQL

Apollo Federation

MCP

Job description

In Short

Based in our Zurich office, this role serves as the technical anchor for frontend engineering within a dedicated cross‑functional incubator spanning product, design, strategy, and engineering. The position charts technical direction across web and mobile platforms without relying on predefined roadmaps, balancing hands‑on craft with architectural leadership to build the foundations of next‑generation digital experiences. Reporting directly to the Engineering Director, this role drives the evolution of our digital landscape from early ideation through to resilient, production‑grade systems.

Your Mission

• Lead Technical Strategy & Autonomous Execution- Own web and mobile frontend architecture for our primary innovation platform. Navigate ambiguity independently, break down complex, multi‑faceted spaces into transparent milestones, and deliver end‑to‑end initiatives with high autonomy.
• Champion Technical Excellence & Mentorship- Guide and mentor engineers within a cross‑functional environment. Cultivate an inclusive engineering culture centered on candid feedback, co‑create architectural decisions, and elevate team capability through modern workflows, tooling, and emerging paradigms such as AI coding agents and Model Context Protocol (MCP).
• Drive Cross‑Team Alignment & Innovation- Steer impactful technical initiatives that align platform deliverables with wider organizational goals. Partner with sister engineering groups, operational stakeholders, and leadership to share reusable patterns, learnings, and architectural frameworks.
• Co‑create with Cross‑Functional Partners- Partner closely with Product, Design, and Strategy to evaluate technical feasibility, prioritize high‑impact experiments, and shape the product roadmap from discovery to scalable release.
• Raise Architectural & Operational Standards- Define benchmarks for system design, code health, accessibility, and performance. Direct the technical transition of legacy frameworks (e.g., Flutter to modern React / Next.js architecture) while ensuring high uptime, robust observability, and platform resilience.

Your Story

• A solid academic foundation in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical industry experience.
• Proven experience (typically 6+ years) designing, deploying, and supporting production‑scale web and mobile applications, backed by strong expertise in system architecture.
• Demonstrated track record navigating fast‑moving environments (such as tech incubators, high‑growth scale‑ups, or rapid‑iteration product squads) with autonomous problem‑solving.
• Deep knowledge of modern multi‑platform web and mobile technologies (e.g., TypeScript, modern React, Flutter, Swift, or Kotlin), alongside a clear, pragmatic perspective on architectural trade‑offs.
• Direct experience guiding platforms through significant architectural shifts and refactoring initiatives (such as Flutter to React) with zero downtime and controlled dependencies.
• A blend of refined visual craft‑delivering precise UI/UX details‑with rigorous engineering standards around modularity, accessibility, and speed.
• Broad familiarity with modern API federation (e.g., GraphQL / Apollo Federation) and emerging agentic protocols (such as MCP).
• A collaborative mindset dedicated to elevating peers through active mentorship, transparent technical critique, and inclusive team‑building.
• Fluency in English with strong interpersonal and technical communication skills.

Your Team

We drive transformation. The Digital Engineering team works across the entire organization to create innovative experiences, from e‑commerce platforms to internal tools. Our mission is to shape On's digital future, enhancing customer interactions and supporting business growth with creative and forward‑thinking solutions.

What We Offer

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination. Start date contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.