Principal Software Engineer – Front-end Development

Whitecap; Georgia; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

White Cap seeks a senior frontend architect to lead the technical vision, architecture, and execution of frontend applications and the enterprise design system. You will bridge engineering and UX design to ensure scalable, accessible, and high-performance UI components across all digital products.

In this role, you will guide design token governance, collaborate with design and product teams, and help shape the long-term frontend technology roadmap.

Qualifications

• PhD with 15+ years of specialized experience OR MS/MA with 10+ years in a related field.
• Deep expertise in frontend architecture and enterprise design systems.
• Experience mentoring senior frontend engineers and communicating with executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical vision, architecture, and execution of frontend apps and the enterprise design system.
• Ensure UI components are scalable, accessible, and high performing across products.
• Collaborate with UX/UI design leaders, product managers, and engineering to govern design tokens and component lifecycles.
• Contribute to long-term architectural roadmaps for frontend technologies and the unified design system.
• Mentor senior frontend engineers and communicate complex technical concepts to leadership.

Skills

Frontend architecture

Design systems

Technical leadership

UX collaboration

JavaScript/TypeScript

React/Next.js

Web Components

Education

PhD in related field

MS/MA in related field

Tools

React

Next.js

Vite

Webpack

CI/CD pipelines

Design tokens tooling

Figma (design token automation)

Job description

A position at White Cap isn’t your ordinary job. You’ll work in an exciting and diverse environment, meet interesting people, and have a variety of career opportunities. The White Cap family is committed to Building Trust on Every Job. We do this by being deeply knowledgeable, fully capable, and always dependable, and our associates are the driving force behind this commitment.

Job Summary

Responsible for helping lead the technical vision, architecture, and execution of frontend applications and the enterprise design system for omnichannel and e-commerce. Blends deep hands-on engineering with enterprise-level technical leadership by bridging the gap between engineering and UX design. Ensures UI component scalability, accessibility, and high performance across all digital products.

Major Tasks, Responsibilities and Key Accountabilities

Contributes to building and maintaining an enterprise-scale, multi-brand component library that supports UI consistency and developer efficiency. Partners closely with UX/UI design leaders, product managers, and engineering teams to govern design tokens and component lifecycle standards. Develops new IT strategies and improves existing IT procedures to increase efficiency, enhance workflows, and improve customer satisfaction. Contributes to the long-term architectural roadmap for frontend technologies and the unified design system. Ensures that priorities align with organizational goals and customer expectations. Guides and mentors senior frontend engineers, fostering a culture of technical growth and continuous improvement. Interfaces with senior leadership and communicates complex technical concepts in clear, business-focused language.

Nature and Scope

Collaborates and consults with executives on complex and multi-dimensional business matters. Evaluates novel problems to determine solutions characterized by technical depth and breadth and the understanding of industry and business dynamics. Decisions and guidance at this level produce high risk and high impact actions that change the strategic course of the business. Influences business decisions made by leadership. Recommends operational strategies and plans with direct impact on results. Acts as a strategic advisor to top management. Typically operates with broad latitude in a complex environment. Provides technical training to others as needed at all levels of the organization. Mentors staff and advises management on key technical strategies. This position does not have supervisory or management responsibilities.

Work Environment

Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable. Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles. Typically requires overnight travel less than 5% of the time.

Education and Experience

Typically requires a PhD degree and 15+ years of specialized experience in a related field OR MS/MA and generally 10+ years of experience in a related field. Maintains a deep level of technical expertise that drives business and executive decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mastery of JavaScript/TypeScript, semantic HTML, and modern CSS/CSS-in-JS strategies.
• Production experience with React and Next.js (SSR/ISR, routing/app router, middleware, caching/CDN strategies) and a Node.js/TypeScript BFF.
• Extensive experience with modern JS frameworks (such as React, Vue, or Web Components).
• Proven track record configuring build tools (e.g., Vite, Webpack), package management (npm, monorepos), and CI/CD pipelines for UI libraries.
• Strong familiarity with design workflows and tools like Figma, specifically regarding design token automation.
• Built or migrated headless commerce experiences; strong command of API-first and composable architectures.

If you’re looking to play a role in building America, consider one of our open opportunities. We can’t wait to meet you.

White Cap and its affiliates serve as a one-stop shop, providing concrete accessories and chemicals, tools and equipment, building materials and fasteners, erosion and waterproofing products, and safety products to professional contractors by meeting their distinct and customized supply needs in non-residential, infrastructure, and residential end markets. White Cap operates approximately 500 branches across North America with more than 11,000 employees supporting approximately 200,000 customers. For more information about White Cap, visit about.whitecap.com.