Principal Frontend Engineer

Stellenbeschreibung:

Cleverbridge is the smarter way to sell globally. As a premium Merchant of Record (MoR), we simplify global software sales by combining powerful platform capabilities - including payments, subscriptions, taxes, and compliance - with expert services that fuel growth across the entire customer lifecycle. From onboarding and implementation to ongoing optimization and strategic guidance, our team works as an extension of our clients', helping them remove friction, reduce risk, and expand into new markets with confidence.

About the Role

This role defines and advances Cleverbridge's frontend architecture, standards, and technology direction. It exists to help teams build scalable, high-performance, and user-friendly web applications while aligning technical choices with business goals. The role contributes by turning architectural vision into practical guardrails, technical milestones, and coaching that enable multiple teams to deliver consistently.

Key Responsibilities

Own the overall architecture of frontend systems and define key architectural milestones and critical technical requirements.
Drive improvements in scalability, performance, and cross-team code reuse across frontend solutions.
Validate ideas through proofs of concept and translate business problems into practical frontend solutions.
Partner closely with product managers, design leadership, engineering managers, and senior frontend engineers on solution direction and technical decision-making.
Set coding standards and promote best practices for code quality, maintainability, accessibility, and performance.
Communicate complex technical topics clearly to non-technical stakeholders and create transparency around critical technical requirements.
Mentor engineers and support their growth in architectural thinking, technical decision-making, and community learning.
Stay current on industry trends and emerging technologies and introduce innovations that improve user experience and support company strategy.

Qualifications

Required

Strong proficiency in modern frontend development, including Next.js, TypeScript, React, and accessible, semantic HTML .
Strong understanding of software design and engineering principles, such as SOLID, DRY, YAGNI, and KISS .
Experience leading complex frontend initiatives as a principal, technical lead, project lead, or senior engineer .
Proven ability to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
Hands‑on experience with CSS, including pure CSS, preprocessors, and CSS-in-JS.
Strong knowledge of API design and service communication, including REST and GraphQL.
Experience interviewing and assessing engineering candidates.
Experience communicating technical concepts to diverse audiences and promoting engineering best practices.
Experience leveraging AI to accelerate software development while ensuring adherence to engineering standards and technical guardrails.

Preferred (Optional)

Experience with NestJs.
Experience building shared frontend platforms, design systems, or component libraries.
Experience optimizing performance for large-scale web applications.
Communication
Strategic thinking
Technical leadership
Problem-solving

Benefits of working at Cleverbridge

Flexible work options

Work hybrid or fully remote with flexible hours (varies by role and team)

Inspiring office environments

Collaborate in modern offices in the heart of Cologne and Chicago

Get gym reimbursement, join wellness challenges, and access other health benefits

Grow your skills with structured programs and a personal L&D budget

Employee support programs

Access 401(k), pension plans, volunteer time off, mentoring, and more

Referral program

Earn cash bonuses when your referrals join the Cleverbridge team

Cleverbridge is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.

At Cleverbridge, we believe in our people and their abilities to drive impact. That's why we offer a competitive salary, flexible working environment, and opportunities for growth and advancement.

Still have questions?

Get in touch with us! Whether it is a role-specific question or a question about life at Cleverbridge, we would love to chat with you and will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.