Lead Engineer - Fullstack ( React & Node )

Guardian; Chennai; On-site; INR 2,400,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian is seeking a Lead Frontend Engineer in Chennai to drive frontend architecture, build scalable React/Next.js apps, and mentor the team. You will work on state management, performance optimization, and API integration with backend services, while ensuring accessibility and security.

The role requires strong hands-on expertise in React/Next.js, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern tooling, with collaboration across UX/UI and backend squads. Chennai location, full-time role.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of frontend-focused software development experience.
• Strong React.js and Next.js with JavaScript/TypeScript.

Responsibilities

• Design and build scalable frontend applications in React/Next.js.
• Collaborate with UX/UI and backend teams for API integration.
• Ensure performance, accessibility, and browser compatibility.
• Mentor teammates on frontend engineering practices.

Skills

React.js

Next.js

JavaScript

TypeScript

HTML/CSS

Frontend architecture

State management

REST APIs

Node.js basics

Testing tools

Git & CI/CD

Security & accessibility

Tools

Jest

React Testing Library

Cypress

Playwright

Git

Job description

Job Description:

Frontend Lead Engineer – React / Next.js with Node.js

Job Description:

Frontend Lead Engineer – React / Next.js with Node.js

Job Title: Lead Engineer IT – React / Next.js Full Stack Developer

Experience Required: 5–8 Years

Role Summary

We are seeking a strong Frontend Lead Engineer with deep hands‑on experience in React.js, Next.js, JavaScript/TypeScript, UI architecture, component-driven development, and modern web application engineering. The role will primarily focus on building scalable, responsive, secure, and high-performing frontend applications while also having working knowledge of Node.js-based backend services and API integrations.

The ideal candidate should be strong in frontend design patterns, reusable UI components, state management, performance optimization, accessibility, and integration with backend APIs. The candidate should also have practical understanding of Node.js to collaborate effectively with backend teams, support API development, and troubleshoot full-stack application issues.

Key Responsibilities

Frontend Development – React / Next.js

• Design and develop scalable, responsive, and high-performance web applications using React.js and Next.js.
• Build reusable, maintainable, and accessible UI components using component-driven development practices.
• Work extensively with JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML5, CSS3, and modern frontend tooling.
• Develop both client-side rendered and server-side rendered applications using Next.js.
• Implement application state management using Redux, Context API, or similar libraries.
• Ensure strong focus on Core Web Vitals, page performance, accessibility, responsiveness, and browser compatibility.
• Build clean, modular, and maintainable frontend code following engineering best practices.
• Collaborate with UX/UI teams to convert design specifications into functional, user-friendly interfaces.
• Consume REST APIs using Fetch, Axios, or equivalent libraries with proper error handling and asynchronous data management.
• Integrate frontend applications with authentication and authorization mechanisms such as JWT and OAuth2.
• Identify and resolve UI defects, performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and code quality gaps.
• Mentor team members on frontend engineering practices, code quality, reusable components, and design consistency.

UI Architecture & Engineering Standards

• Define frontend architecture, folder structures, coding standards, and reusable component strategies.
• Drive adoption of component libraries, design systems, and consistent UI development practices.
• Review frontend code for maintainability, scalability, performance, accessibility, and security.
• Promote testable, modular, and loosely coupled frontend design.
• Support technical decision-making around frontend frameworks, libraries, build tools, and deployment patterns.

Backend & Node.js Knowledge

• Have working knowledge of Node.js-based backend services and API development.
• Understand REST API design, request/response handling, middleware concepts, routing, and error handling.
• Collaborate with backend teams to define API contracts and ensure smooth frontend-backend integration.
• Support debugging of frontend and API integration issues across environments.
• Basic understanding of microservices, asynchronous processing, and event-driven communication is preferred.
• Exposure to Express.js, NestJS, or similar Node.js frameworks will be an added advantage.

Data & API Integration

• Work with REST APIs and understand integration patterns with backend systems.
• Handle API response mapping, validation, loading states, error states, and retry scenarios on frontend.
• Understand JSON/XML payload structures and secure API consumption patterns.
• Collaborate with backend teams on API versioning, performance, pagination, caching, and security requirements.

Testing & Quality

• Write unit and integration test cases for frontend components and application flows.
• Use testing frameworks such as Jest, React Testing Library, Cypress, Playwright, or equivalent.
• Ensure quality through code reviews, static analysis, linting, formatting, and automated test coverage.
• Support defect analysis, root cause identification, and production issue resolution.

Cloud, DevOps & CI/CD

• Work with CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, GitLab, or similar tools.
• Understand build and deployment processes for frontend and Node.js applications.
• Work with source code repositories such as GitHub and Bitbucket.
• Basic understanding of Docker, Kubernetes, Azure, or AWS deployment environments is preferred.
• Support environment-level troubleshooting and production readiness activities.

Required Skills & Experience

• 5–8 years of software development experience with strong focus on frontend development.
• Strong hands‑on experience with React.js, Next.js, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, and CSS.
• Experience in building enterprise-level, responsive, accessible, and high-performance web applications.
• Strong understanding of frontend architecture, component-driven development, state management, and reusable UI patterns.
• Experience consuming REST APIs and integrating frontend applications with backend services.
• Working knowledge of Node.js and backend API concepts.
• Experience with testing tools such as Jest, React Testing Library, Cypress, or Playwright.
• Good understanding of secure coding, performance optimization, accessibility, and browser compatibility.
• Experience with Git-based source control and CI/CD practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to Node.js frameworks such as Express.js or NestJS.
• Experience with design systems, UI component libraries, and micro-frontend architecture.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Azure or AWS.
• Understanding of event-driven systems, microservices, and distributed application patterns.
• Experience working in regulated or high-security industries such as finance, healthcare, or insurance.
• Ability to work independently with minimal technical guidance and provide technical direction to team members.

Location:

This position can be based in any of the following locations: Chennai