Senior Frontend Engineer

About ANVIL ANVIL is a trusted partner in the defence industry, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance military capabilities and operational effectiveness. We extend our expertise to public safety, law enforcement, and national security organizations, accelerating mission-critical decision-making through analytical tools, automations, and game-changing machine learning capabilities. ANVIL helps organizations discover, manage, enrich, fuse, and exploit the information available to them in support of Information Dominance and Decision Advantage. Job Type: Full Time Remote (Hybrid option available for those in the Ottawa area - 55 Murray Street Office) Total Compensation: CAD $125,000.00 - $165,000.00 base salary - Placement within range based on experience and qualifications Vacancy Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy at ANVIL. We are actively hiring for this role Role (Description) As a Senior Frontend Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and maintaining sophisticated user interfaces that power our analytical tools and data visualization platforms. You will architect scalable frontend applications, optimize performance for large datasets, and ensure our user interfaces deliver exceptional experiences for mission-critical workflows. Furthermore, you will use your knowledge of industry best practices to provide strategic guidance to engineering leadership on how to most effectively design frontend architectures that scale with our growing customer base and evolving product requirements. We value people who have an ingrained sense of accountability to the team around them. As an ideal candidate you are not only technically qualified, but you demonstrate a strong work ethic and take pride in your craft. You also collaborate and communicate effectively with the other talented and motivated members of our organization. Experience 7+ years of professional experience building production React applications, including technical leadership on at least one of themExperience architecting and scaling frontend applications, including the foundational decisions about module boundaries, state management, rendering strategy, and data flowExperience establishing frontend engineering standards on a team, such as coding patterns, component library design, review practices, or testing strategiesExperience mentoring other engineers through pairing, design review, and code reviewExperience with modern CSS (CSS Modules, Tailwind, or equivalent), including responsive and accessible designExperience integrating with REST APIs, including complex asynchronous flows and error handlingStrong working experience with unit and integration testingStrong working experience with Playwright for testing full user workflows, including strategies to keep test suites reliable at scale Skills & Competencies Expert proficiency in React, including hooks, concurrent features, rendering behaviour, and framework internals, with the depth to reason about performance and correctnessExpert proficiency in modern JavaScript and TypeScript, including ES6+ language featuresStrong understanding of frontend architecture, modular design, and building applications from composable components at scaleExpert knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, and modern styling methodologies (Flexbox, Grid, responsive and adaptive design)Strong understanding of web performance optimization, rendering pipelines, and profiling tools (Lighthouse, React Profiler, Chrome DevTools)Working knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and a track record of shipping accessible interfacesExperience configuring and optimizing modern build tools (e.g., Vite, Webpack) and maintaining scalable project structuresExperience with state management libraries (Redux, Zustand, or similar) and the judgment to know when not to use oneSolid grasp of frontend security practices (XSS, CSRF, CORS, and content security policies)Proficiency with Git workflows, CI/CD integration, and collaborative development practicesStrong written and spoken communication, with the ability to explain technical decisions and tradeoffs to engineering, product, and executive audiencesDemonstrated technical leadership through setting direction, mentoring peers, and building consensus by expertise rather than authority Preferred Qualifications & Competencies Experience building applications that handle large datasets, streaming data, or live analyticsExperience building live communication features using WebSockets or other streaming protocolsExperience with WebGL, Canvas, or advanced graphics rendering techniques for interactive visualizationExperience with knowledge management systems, case management systems, or relevant defence industry applicationsExperience with CI/CD pipelines and frontend observability tools (GitLab, Sentry, Datadog, OpenTelemetry)Familiarity with containerized development environments (Docker) and modern deployment workflowsFamiliarity with Agile or Scrum methodologies and working in sprintsExperience working in or closely with defence, public safety, or national security organizations Key Responsibilities Frontend Architecture & Technical Strategy Architect the frontend for complex, demanding workflows, including those that handle large datasets or live data updatesSet the technical direction for the frontend platform, including framework and library choices, module boundaries, state management patterns, and rendering strategyEvaluate new frontend technologies and advise engineering leadership on adoption tradeoffs across cost, risk, and maintainability over timeOwn performance budgets and rendering strategies, including the UI patterns needed for large datasets and live updatesPartner with backend architects to shape API contracts that serve frontend needs and user workflows Engineering Standards & Quality Establish and uphold frontend coding standards, patterns, and review practices across the engineering teamDefine the testing strategy across unit, integration, and full workflow layers using React Testing Library and Playwright, and keep coverage of critical user flows strongTreat accessibility (WCAG 2.1), performance, and security as product requirements rather than finishing touchesLead by example in code review, improving quality and consistency Mentorship & Technical Leadership Mentor intermediate and junior engineers through pairing, design reviews, and feedback on their growthLead technical design discussions and architectural reviews for significant frontend workHelp other engineers grow into the standards you establish Communication & Advocacy Represent frontend in product, design, and engineering leadership forums, including in roadmap planning conversationsTranslate technical tradeoffs into language that product owners and engineering leadership can act onSpeak up for user experience, performance, and accessibility when scope, timeline, or architectural pressure push against themContribute to sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives with realistic scoping and honest assessments of risk and dependenciesCommunicate development progress, blockers, and strategic frontend direction clearly and proactively Why Join Us? Our Mission This is more than just a job; you'll be part of a team of dedicated professionals who share a common goal: to increase the safety and security of Western democracies through the effective use of data. Our workplace is not just a job; it's a community of like-minded people working together to make a positive impact on the world we live in. Compensation & Benefits Competitive salariesFlexible health benefits package through EquitableIndustry-leading employer retirement contributions match Work Environment Hybrid work model combining remote flexibility with meaningful in-person collaborationModern office in the historic Carriageway building in beautiful downtown OttawaAccess to downtown amenities, transit, and Ottawa's vibrant cultural scene What You'll Experience Work alongside dedicated professionals who value excellence and collaborationContribute to building the team behind technologies with real-world security impactGround-floor opportunity to shape people operations as ANVIL scalesJoin a culture where your expertise and ideas matter Application Process To apply for this role, please submit your CV and cover letter. The application process will likely include: A preliminary call with our team, which will be a chance for you to find out more about ANVIL and the role.An initial interview to discuss your experience and suitability for the role.A practical exercise to assess your approach to common scenarios in the role. ANVIL welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. Use of AI in Recruitment: ANVIL does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. All applications are reviewed by members of our recruitment team.