Senior Frontend Engineer - Team Lead

Senior Frontend Engineer - Team Lead

Location: Santiago (Hybrid)1.

Purpose of the RoleThe Senior Frontend Engineer Team Lead leads technical execution and sprint delivery for a dedicated squad of 3 to 6 frontend engineers while driving user interface modernization across high-traffic, real-time platforms. Partnering with the Engineering Manager and Product team, this role serves as the squad's technical driver to drive technical excellence, decompose complex initiatives, and ensure seamless daily execution.Please note: This position focuses on technical leadership and delivery without direct reports. It is tailored for a senior practitioner who excels at architectural design, sprint facilitation, and hands-on execution rather than formal line management.2. Key ResponsibilitiesA. Technical Execution and Frontend ArchitectureArchitect and implement scalable and performant solutions using React, TypeScript, and core design systems.Establish high code standards through detailed code reviews, technical discussions, and clean code principles.Streamline real-time data flows and user journeys into clear, modular components and interactive dashboards.Optimize client-side performance, rendering speeds, asset loading, and network efficiency under heavy load.B. Team Leadership and Delivery CoordinationLead agile team ceremonies, such as stand-ups, backlog grooming, and sprint planning for 3 to 6 developers.Partner with Engineering Managers and Product leads to estimate, organize, and assign work matching squad capacity.Decompose complex user components and flows into modular technical tasks, user stories, and execution phases.Provide technical guidance to remove engineering blockers, keeping momentum strong without people management duties.C. Operations, Quality, and Cross-Functional AlignmentEstablish comprehensive testing strategies covering unit coverage (Jest), integration testing, and end-to-end suites (Cypress).Incorporate performance metrics and telemetry (e.g., Sentry, New Relic) to uphold application health and operational trust.Align frontend architectural direction with backend API contracts (GraphQL/REST) and inter-team dependencies.Solve complex user challenges by working with Product and UX to refine ambiguous ideas into production specifications.3. Key CompetenciesTechnical"T-shaped" profile with technical mastery in React, TypeScript, state management, and performance, while staying autonomous across related stack domains.Understands and models best practices across software delivery, testing frameworks, and structured task breakdown.Technical curiosity and problem-solving drive to unpack and resolve performance bottlenecks.InterpersonalFacilitates team rituals effectively to ensure daily stand-ups and refinements remain focused and highly actionable.Effectively communicates task status, trade-offs, and technical risks to management to eliminate delivery surprises.Maintains a positive and collaborative mindset during pairing and stakeholder interactions.Leadership and JudgmentTakes accountability for code quality, sprint milestones, and continuous technical execution.Accurate estimation and planning when dividing deliverables and forecasting delivery timelines.Mentor less experienced peers through pairing and constructive code reviews to promote engineering excellence.4. Minimum QualificationsProven experience of 5+ years in professional software engineering with a strong frontend emphasis (React, TypeScript, ES6+).Agile leadership experience running team ceremonies and steering technical delivery for small engineering squads (3–6 developers).Track record in technical lead roles operating with no direct reports, emphasizing hands-on delivery and task distribution.Mastery of the core stack including React, TypeScript, modern JavaScript, CSS/HTML layouts, and testing suites (Jest, Cypress, RTL).Demonstrated skill in breaking down high-level requirements into clear work items for engineers.Advanced language proficiency in written and spoken English for technical and conversational interaction.Desirable knowledge of design systems, GraphQL/REST APIs, operational monitoring tools, and CI/CD workflows.What we offer:Opportunity to work with cutting-edge tech stacks and Fortune 500 clients.Continuous professional growth and career development pathways.📋 What to Expect (Our Hiring Process):We value your time and believe in a transparent, fast-moving recruitment journey. Here is what our process looks like:Application & AI Screening: Submit your application. Our smart screening tools match your profile against core job requirements.Recruiter Video Call (30 mins): A 1-on-1 video call with a Talent Acquisition Specialist to discuss your background, career goals, and cultural alignment.Variacode Internal Technical Assessment & System Design Interview: A practical technical evaluation followed by an architecture deep-dive conducted by Variacode's internal Technical Lead team, focusing on System Design.💡 Pro-tip for candidates: Be prepared to draw and explain architectural diagrams live during the interview, we recommend practicing beforehand with tools like draw.io or Lucidchart.Client / Partner Interview: Meet directly with the client's engineering or leadership team to align on technical expectations, real-world project challenges, and team synergy.📌 Note: Depending on the client's internal process, they may request an additional client-specific technical assessment or coding exercise during this stage.Offer & Onboarding: Receive your formal offer, sign your agreement, and kick off your onboarding journey with Variacode!