Principal Frontend Development Engineer (Contract)

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of web applications using React and Next.js, translating designs into reliable, user-friendly interfaces.
• Improve frontend performance, including page loading, rendering, and responsiveness.
• Ensure consistent functionality across devices, screen sizes, and browsers.
• Design solutions for complex frontend modules, build reusable components, and maintain coding standards.
• Provide technical guidance and collaborate with product, design, and backend teams to deliver features and resolve production issues.

Requirements

Education (Mandatory)

• Bachelor's Degree or above in Computer Science / Engineering / Software Engineering
• Experience working with Chinese technology ecosystems and e-commerce platforms
• Working experience is highly advantageous on any of these:
• - Alibaba Cloud
• - WeChat ecosystems
• - Tencent Cloud
• - China-based payment integrations
• Strong experience working with and leading teams in China and Southeast Asia.
• Working experience with BATX (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent Xiaomi) firms in China would be preferred
• 15+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• 8+ years specializing in frontend development experience with React, including technical ownership of complex web applications.
• 4+ years in a Staff Engineer, Principal Engineer, Technical Lead, or Architect role.
• Experience developing products for Chinese and international markets.
• Contributions to open-source projects.
• Technical publications, patents, or conference speaking engagements.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-scale frontend architecture initiatives.
• Prior experience in multinational technology organizations is highly desirable
• Sound understanding of responsive design, browser behaviour, and frontend performance optimisation.
• Ability to write maintainable code, explain technical decisions, and guide other engineers.

Frontend Technologies

Expert-level experience in:

• JavaScript (ES6+)
• TypeScript
• HTML5
• CSS3 / SCSS

• React.js (Practical experience with Next.js, including server-side rendering and static site generation)

• Next.js
• Vue.js (preferred)
• State management frameworks (Redux, Zustand, MobX, Pinia)

Technical Skills

Architecture & Design

Strong experience with:

• Micro Frontends
• Domain-Driven Design concepts
• Design Systems
• Component Libraries
• API Integration
• Responsive Design
• Frontend Security Best Practices
• Performance Optimization

Cloud & DevOps

Experience with:

• AWS, Azure, or Alibaba Cloud
• Docker
• Kubernetes
• CI/CD Pipelines
• GitHub Actions
• GitLab CI
• Monitoring and Observability Tools

Language Requirements

• Professional proficiency in English.
• Native level proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written) as this role requires extensive communication in Mandarin to communicate technical concepts effectively with global stakeholders based in China and Greater China (Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan)

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong architectural vision.
• Influential technical leader with excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Strong mentoring and coaching capabilities.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to drive alignment across multiple engineering teams.
• Strong business acumen and customer focus.