Lead Software Engineer, Frontend/Web App Software

Front Door Defense; San Carlos, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 224,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare premiums

PTO & holidays

401(k)

Job summary

Beacon AI in San Carlos, CA is seeking a Lead Frontend Engineer to drive the architecture and delivery of a live-data aviation web interface. The role combines technical leadership with ownership of high-impact UI features that integrate real-time data streams and historical datasets.

The successful candidate will have 9+ years building high-performance web apps using React and TypeScript, and will mentor the team while partnering with backend, product, and UX to ship scalable frontend solutions.

Qualifications

• Design and build React-based frontend features and systems.
• Integrate and visualize live and historical aviation data.
• Mentor engineers and enforce best practices through reviews.
• Collaborate with backend, product, and UX teams on decisions.
• Ensure tests, docs, and strong frontend standards.
• Create reusable components and internal libraries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the frontend delivery of the live-data web interface for aviation platform.
• Architect frontend systems handling real-time and archival data streams.
• Drive design decisions with product and UX across disciplines.
• Maintain high-performance, reliable frontend code with testing.

Skills

React

TypeScript

JavaScript

Frontend architecture

Live data

Mentorship

Performance optimization

Tools

Mapbox

Cesium

Jest

Job description

Lead Software Engineer, Frontend/Web App

Lead frontend architecture and delivery of the live-data web interface for aviation platform

Location: San Carlos, California

Compensation: $224,000 - 260,000 USD / year

About The Role

Lead Frontend Engineer

We're a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators building an AI platform to make flying safer, more efficient, and more capable. Backed by top investors, we've secured a dozen Department of Defense contracts and partnered with major airlines to deliver mission-critical systems. We operate without silos or heavy processes. Small, focused teams own what they build, ship quickly, and learn fast, pushing the boundaries of how humans and AI work together in aviation.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Lead Frontend Engineer to bring technical leadership, strong ownership, and strategic thinking to our frontend team. In this role, you will drive the development of high-impact web interfaces that integrate with our flight safety platform, enabling users to interact with complex aviation data and derive actionable insights. You will collaborate closely across disciplines and play a key role in advancing aviation safety and operational capability.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement React-based features while architecting frontend systems that handle large-scale, real-time and historical aviation data.
• Integrate, process, and visualize data from multiple sources, including live streams and archived datasets.
• Mentor engineers and drive best practices through code reviews and architectural discussions.
• Partner with backend engineers, product managers, and UX/UI designers to make informed design and implementation decisions.
• Ensure reliable, maintainable frontend systems through automated testing, clear documentation, and strong engineering standards.
• Build reusable components and internal libraries to accelerate future development.

What Will Make You Successful

• 9+ years of experience building and shipping high-performance, user-facing web applications.
• Deep expertise in React, TypeScript, JavaScript, state management, and modern web standards (HTML/CSS).
• Strong experience with asynchronous frontend patterns and efficient handling of live and historical data streams.
• Proven ownership of complex features or product areas, driving work from concept through delivery with a high degree of autonomy.
• Proactive, resourceful mindset with the ability to operate effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.
• Consistently sets and upholds a high technical bar through design decisions, code quality, mentorship, and hiring input.
• Ability to analyze and optimize frontend performance for scalability, responsiveness, and reliability.

Bonus Points

• Passion for aviation and a desire to improve air travel efficiency and safety.
• Experience with geospatial or mapping tools such as Mapbox or Cesium.
• Deep experience with live data streaming and playback systems.
• Experience with video streaming technologies and real-time media delivery.

Work Location

This is a hybrid role based in San Carlos, CA, with 3+ days per week onsite and the option to work remotely on remaining days.

Perks & Benefits (Full-Time Employees)

• Healthcare: 100%* of employee medical premiums covered; 25% for dependents
• Time Off: 3 weeks PTO plus 13+ paid company holidays
• 401(k): Offered (no current employer match, but we are committed to enhancing this benefit in the future)

Due to U.S. export control regulations, we can only hire U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted asylum or refugee status). We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa transfers. All work must be performed in the United States.

Beacon AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit harassment or discrimination of any kind in the workplace and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.