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Requirements and responsibilities
About Us:Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk.Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy .About the RoleHavocAI 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 DoLead Frontend EngineeringLead the design and development of scalable, performant user interfaces using React and modern frontend technologiesSet technical direction for frontend architecture, state management, data flow, and component designBuild complex workflows and UI components for data-rich, operational applicationsDevelop interfaces that support real-time data, situational awareness, and operator decision-makingContribute directly to implementation while guiding the team through technical tradeoffs and executionTeam Leadership & MentorshipMentor frontend engineers and help raise the technical bar across the teamLead code reviews, design discussions, sprint planning, and technical planning for frontend workHelp break down ambiguous product and technical requirements into clear execution plansPromote engineering best practices around performance, testing, maintainability, accessibility, and reliabilityPartner with engineering leadership to support team growth, hiring, onboarding, and developmentData Integration & PerformanceIntegrate frontend systems with backend services via REST, GraphQL, and real-time data interfacesOptimize rendering performance for large datasets, map-based views, streaming data, and real-time updatesEnsure responsive, reliable performance across devices, browsers, and operating environmentsIdentify and resolve frontend performance bottlenecks across the platformBuild systems that remain usable and dependable in mission-critical workflowsArchitecture & MaintainabilityOwn and evolve frontend architecture, including state management, data flow, build tooling, testing strategy, and component organizationBuild and maintain reusable component libraries, design systems, and shared UI patternsEnsure frontend systems are scalable, maintainable, testable, and easy for other engineers to extendEstablish patterns that support multiple products, mission workflows, and customer-facing applicationsDrive technical consistency across frontend codebases and applicationsCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with backend, platform, autonomy, product, and design teams to deliver end-to-end featuresCollaborate with UX/design to ensure high-quality implementation and operator-focused user experiencesTranslate complex operational requirements into intuitive, reliable frontend workflowsWork with stakeholders to balance speed, usability, performance, and technical qualityRepresent frontend engineering in product planning, architecture reviews, and roadmap discussionsWhat We’re Looking For7+ years of frontend engineering experience, including experience leading frontend projects or teamsStrong expertise in React and modern JavaScript or TypeScriptExperience building data-driven, high-performance web applicationsStrong understanding of frontend architecture, state management, data flow, and performance optimizationExperience working with APIs, asynchronous data flows, and real-time or frequently updating dataExperience building reusable component libraries, design systems, or shared UI frameworksAbility to mentor engineers, lead technical discussions, and drive frontend best practicesStrong communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering, product, and designAbility to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven, highly collaborative environmentStrong ownership, technical judgment, and willingness to remain hands-onNice to HaveExperience building map-based or geospatial applications using Mapbox, Leaflet, Deck.gl, or similar toolsFamiliarity with WebGL or advanced visualization frameworksExperience with automated testing frameworks such as Jest, Cypress, Playwright, or similar toolsUnderstanding of design systems, accessibility, and reusable component architectureExperience with real-time systems, data streaming applications, or operational dashboardsExperience supporting defense, autonomy, robotics, maritime, aviation, or mission-critical software environmentsExperience leading frontend teams in a high-growth startup environmentWhat Success Looks Like in 12 MonthsA high-performing frontend team with clear technical standards, strong execution, and growing ownershipScalable, high-performance frontend systems supporting real-world operationsReliable, intuitive interfaces for complex data, maps, workflows, and mission-critical decision-makingImproved frontend performance, responsiveness, maintainability, and system consistencyStrong collaboration across engineering, product, design, autonomy, and platform teamsReusable UI components, design patterns, and frontend systems adopted across the platformA frontend architecture that can scale with HavocAI’s products, customers, and operational needsBenefits:100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your familiesLife Insurance (Employer Paid)Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching) Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimumEquity PackageWork / Home Office StipendGlobal Entry16 Week Paid Parental LeaveMonthly Health and Wellness StipendOur 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.
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