About Us:

Collaborative autonomy is how self-tasking teams of machines will solve hard human problems, and HavocAI is an unquestioned leader in collaborative autonomy. We set the standard for autonomous surface vessels for a wide range of defense and commercial maritime missions. Success requires us to grow quickly, and we’re looking for teammates who are passionate about solving hard problems, about pushing the envelope, and about preventing conflict and saving lives. Ambition is welcome to apply within.

About the Role

HavocAI is seeking a Frontend Team Lead to lead the development of the user interfaces that power our platform. This role combines hands-on frontend engineering with technical leadership, team mentorship, architecture ownership, and cross-functional execution.

In this role, you will lead a frontend team focused on building high-performance, data-driven web applications, including map-based and visualization-heavy interfaces. You will work closely with backend, platform, product, design, and autonomy teams to deliver reliable, scalable frontend systems that support real-time data, complex workflows, and mission-critical operations.

The ideal candidate is deeply technical, performance-focused, and excited to lead a team building interfaces that operate in real-world environments. You should be comfortable setting technical direction, mentoring engineers, making architectural decisions, and still contributing directly to the codebase.

What You’ll Do

Lead Frontend Engineering

Lead the design and development of scalable, performant user interfaces using React and modern frontend technologies
Set technical direction for frontend architecture, state management, data flow, and component design
Build complex workflows and UI components for data-rich, operational applications
Develop interfaces that support real-time data, situational awareness, and operator decision-making
Contribute directly to implementation while guiding the team through technical tradeoffs and execution

Team Leadership & Mentorship

Mentor frontend engineers and help raise the technical bar across the team
Lead code reviews, design discussions, sprint planning, and technical planning for frontend work
Help break down ambiguous product and technical requirements into clear execution plans
Promote engineering best practices around performance, testing, maintainability, accessibility, and reliability
Partner with engineering leadership to support team growth, hiring, onboarding, and development

Data Integration & Performance

Integrate frontend systems with backend services via REST, GraphQL, and real-time data interfaces
Optimize rendering performance for large datasets, map-based views, streaming data, and real-time updates
Ensure responsive, reliable performance across devices, browsers, and operating environments
Identify and resolve frontend performance bottlenecks across the platform
Build systems that remain usable and dependable in mission-critical workflows

Architecture & Maintainability

Own and evolve frontend architecture, including state management, data flow, build tooling, testing strategy, and component organization
Build and maintain reusable component libraries, design systems, and shared UI patterns
Ensure frontend systems are scalable, maintainable, testable, and easy for other engineers to extend
Establish patterns that support multiple products, mission workflows, and customer-facing applications
Drive technical consistency across frontend codebases and applications

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with backend, platform, autonomy, product, and design teams to deliver end-to-end features
Collaborate with UX/design to ensure high-quality implementation and operator-focused user experiences
Translate complex operational requirements into intuitive, reliable frontend workflows
Work with stakeholders to balance speed, usability, performance, and technical quality
Represent frontend engineering in product planning, architecture reviews, and roadmap discussions

What We’re Looking For

7+ years of frontend engineering experience, including experience leading frontend projects or teams
Strong expertise in React and modern JavaScript or TypeScript
Experience building data-driven, high-performance web applications
Strong understanding of frontend architecture, state management, data flow, and performance optimization
Experience working with APIs, asynchronous data flows, and real-time or frequently updating data
Experience building reusable component libraries, design systems, or shared UI frameworks
Ability to mentor engineers, lead technical discussions, and drive frontend best practices
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering, product, and design
Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven, highly collaborative environment
Strong ownership, technical judgment, and willingness to remain hands-on

Nice to Have

Experience building map-based or geospatial applications using Mapbox, Leaflet, Deck.gl, or similar tools
Familiarity with WebGL or advanced visualization frameworks
Experience with automated testing frameworks such as Jest, Cypress, Playwright, or similar tools
Understanding of design systems, accessibility, and reusable component architecture
Experience with real-time systems, data streaming applications, or operational dashboards
Experience supporting defense, autonomy, robotics, maritime, aviation, or mission-critical software environments
Experience leading frontend teams in a high-growth startup environment

What Success Looks Like in 12 Months

A high-performing frontend team with clear technical standards, strong execution, and growing ownership
Scalable, high-performance frontend systems supporting real-world operations
Reliable, intuitive interfaces for complex data, maps, workflows, and mission-critical decision-making
Improved frontend performance, responsiveness, maintainability, and system consistency
Strong collaboration across engineering, product, design, autonomy, and platform teams
Reusable UI components, design patterns, and frontend systems adopted across the platform
A frontend architecture that can scale with HavocAI’s products, customers, and operational needs

Benefits:

100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families
Life Insurance (Employer Paid)
Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)
Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum
Equity Package
Work / Home Office Stipend
Global Entry
16 Week Paid Parental Leave
Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values:

Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.
Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.
Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.
Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.
Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.
Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.