Senior Frontend Engineer
About ANVIL
ANVIL is a trusted partner in the defence industry, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance military capabilities and operational effectiveness. We extend our expertise to public safety, law enforcement, and national security organizations, accelerating mission-critical decision making through analytical tools, automations, and game-changing machine learning capabilities. ANVIL helps organizations discover, manage, enrich, fuse, and exploit the information available to them in support of Information Dominance and Decision Advantage
Job Type: Full Time Hybrid (Ottawa - 55 Murray Street Office)
Total Compensation: CAD $147,000 - $165,000 base salary - Placement within range based on experience and qualifications
Role (Description)
As a Senior Frontend Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and maintaining sophisticated user interfaces that power our analytical tools and data visualization platforms. You will architect scalable frontend applications, optimize performance for large datasets, and ensure our user interfaces deliver exceptional experiences for mission-critical workflows.
Furthermore, you will use your knowledge of industry best practices to provide strategic guidance to engineering leadership on how to most effectively design frontend architectures that scale with our growing customer base and evolving product requirements.
We value people who have an ingrained sense of accountability to the team around them. As an ideal candidate you are not only technically qualified, but you demonstrate a strong work ethic and take pride in your craft. You also collaborate and communicate effectively with the other talented and motivated members of our organization.
Responsibilities
Design and develop sophisticated, responsive user interfaces for complex analytical and data visualization applications
Build performant single-page applications (SPAs) using modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, or similar)
Optimize frontend performance for handling large datasets and real-time data updates
Develop real-time communication features using WebSockets and other streaming protocols
Implement robust state management
solutions for complex workflows
Establish and maintain automated testing strategies to ensure code quality and reliability
Implement secure coding practices and advocate for frontend security best practices
Partner with UX/UI designers to build intuitive interfaces that enhance user workflows and decision-making
Advise engineering leadership on frontend architectural decisions with a focus on scalability, maintainability, and performance
Mentor junior developers, participate in code reviews, and contribute to internal engineering standards and documentation
Collaborate in cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, end-to-end solutions
Prerequisites
7+ years of professional experience in frontend system design and implementation in a production environment. A degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science is a plus.
Eligible for Government of Canada Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
Mandatory Skills
Expert-level proficiency in modern JavaScript/TypeScript and ES6+ language features
Deep understanding of frontend architecture, modular design, and component-driven development
Expert knowledge of at least one major frontend framework (React, Vue, or Angular) with strong understanding of framework internals
Expert in HTML5, CSS3, and modern styling methodologies (Flexbox, Grid, responsive and adaptive design)
Hands-on experience configuring and optimizing modern build tools (e.g., Vite, Webpack, Rollup) and maintaining scalable project structures
Experience with state management libraries (Redux, Zustand, Recoil, or similar)
Proven ability to implement and maintain automated testing strategies (unit, integration, and E2E) using tools such as Testing Library, Jest, Vitest, Cypress, or Playwright
Strong understanding of web performance optimization, rendering pipelines, and use of profiling tools (Lighthouse, React Profiler, Chrome DevTools)
Solid grasp of frontend security best practices (XSS, CSRF, CORS, and content security policies)
Proficiency with Git-based workflows, CI/CD integration, and collaborative development practices
Excellent communication and technical leadership skills, with a proven ability to mentor other engineers and uphold engineering best practices
Desired Skills/Assets
Experience building data-intensive or visualization-heavy applications handling large datasets, streaming data, or real-time analytics
Familiarity with geospatial and mapping libraries such as Mapbox, Leaflet, or deck.gl
Experience with WebGL, Canvas, or advanced graphics rendering techniques for interactive visualization
Knowledge of data visualization frameworks and best practices for communicating complex data visually
Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and experience building inclusive, accessible interfaces
Familiarity with backend technologies (Node.js, Python, Go, etc.) and ability to collaborate effectively across the full stack
Experience with continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and frontend observability tools (Gitlab, Sentry, Datadog, OpenTelemetry)
Familiarity with containerized development environments (Docker) and modern deployment workflows
Passion for performance profiling, experimentation, and continuous improvement of frontend build and runtime systems
Active interest in staying current with emerging frontend technologies, ecosystem changes, and best practices
Why Join Us?
Our Mission
This is more than just a job; you'll be part of a team of dedicated professionals who share a common goal: to increase the safety and security of western democracies through the effective use of data. Our workplace is not just a job, it's a community of like-minded people working together to make a positive impact on the world we live in.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive salaries
Flexible health benefits package through Equitable
Industry-leading employer retirement contributions match
Work Environment
Hybrid work model combining remote flexibility with meaningful in-person collaboration
Modern office in the historic Carriageway building in beautiful downtown Ottawa
Access to downtown amenities, transit, and Ottawa's vibrant cultural scene
What You'll Experience
Work alongside dedicated professionals who value excellence and collaboration
Contribute to projects with real-world security impact
Join a culture where your expertise and ideas matter
Application Process
To apply for this role, please submit your CV and cover letter. The application process will likely include:
A preliminary call with our HR team which will be a chance for you to find out more about ANVIL and the role.
An initial interview to discuss your experience and suitability for the role.
A technical interview to assess your competencies.
