Chief Frontend Engineer

Who we are

Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies.
About the Role

We're looking for a hands-on Chief Frontend Engineer to own a suite of 10+ bespoke UIs for users from interceptor drone navigators to security forces operators. You will own the core architecture, modules, component library, design system, and LLM skills/rules for Picogrid's frontends. You will help shape the product vision for our suite of interfaces built on top of Legion, and you will mentor a team of full-stack developers. This is a high-impact, high-autonomy role where you'll shape real-time geospatial UIs that integrate live video, maps, and controls for complex defense systems. You will work closely with product, design, and customers to turn ambiguous needs into shipping products at lightning speed. You will occasionally travel to the customer to help learn the real requirements and constraints and iterate with them in the field. The role is frontend-heavy (React / TypeScript), but you should be comfortable working across the stack when needed.

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience building production frontend applications with React and TypeScript (or equivalent modern web stack).
• Experience optimizing web applications in resource and bandwidth constrained environments
• Experience building offline-first web applications
• Demonstrated ability to own complex features/products end-to-end in production.
• Strong intuition for UI/UX.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, taking fuzzy problems and driving toward concrete solutions with minimal high-leverage scope.
• Strong ownership mindset focused on shipping customer value and delivering robust, usable solutions.
• Full-stack or generalist experience, comfortable contributing to the backend when needed.
• Experience mentoring or leading engineers.
• Experience and opinions about best practices for building with LLMs and quickly spinning up new prototypes based on a strong component library and design system

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with real-time, data-heavy, or geospatial applications (e.g., maps, tracking, control systems, fleet management).
• Experience with Deck.gl, Mapbox/MapLibre
• High-agency, go-getter who enjoys high-ownership roles and shaping product/architecture in a fast-moving startup environment.
• Collaborative and motivated by working on mission-critical, real-world problems.
• Experience building ATAK integrations or other Android development.

Why join us?

• Base salary range: $220,000 - $280,000 per year. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid.
• Significant stock options with a high potential upside as an early-stage company
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
• Relocation assistance provided
• Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid parental leave for both parents
• Lunch provided when working in-office and fully stocked kitchenette
• Remote/hybrid-friendly work environment
• Free EV charging at the HQ
• Unique office in El Segundo, CA stocked with quality coffee, snacks, and craft beer

Export Control Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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