Job Responsibilities

Architectural & Cross-Platform Responsibilities

• Front-End Technology Leadership: Own the overall front-end architecture for web, mobile, and internal tools, ensuring the design is scalable, modular, and maintainable . Define architectural patterns and guidelines (e.g. component-based design, state management, caching strategy) that apply across platforms.
• Technology Stack Decisions: Evaluate and select appropriate frameworks, libraries, and development tools for each platform. Make informed choices (e.g. React, Angular or Vue for web; React Native, Flutter or native SDKs for mobile) that balance innovation with stability and team expertise. Regularly review and update stack components to leverage the latest improvements (such as new build tools or transpilers).
• Reusable Design System: Establish a unified design system and component library to be used across web and mobile applications for a consistent look and feel. Ensure UI components are reusable and standardized, so that all front-end apps present a cohesive user experience . This includes defining common styling guidelines, UI components, and ensuring consistency between the website and mobile app.
• Security and Compliance: Implement front-end solutions with robust security in mind. Ensure adherence to security best practices (e.g. protecting against XSS/CSRF, secure storage of tokens, input validation) and compliance with data privacy regulations relevant to the insurance industry. Safeguard customer information on the client side and incorporate measures like encryption for sensitive data in transit.
• High-Level & Low-Level Design: Create and document High-Level Designs (HLD) and Low-Level Designs (LLD) for front-end systems and features. Outline the front-end architecture diagrams, component interaction, data flow with backend APIs, and integration points. For complex features, provide detailed LLDs (e.g. sequence diagrams, component breakdowns) to guide developers in implementation.
• Cross-Platform Performance Optimization: Define performance budgets and optimize front-end performance across all clients. Strategies include code-splitting, lazy loading, asset optimization, and caching to achieve fast load times and smooth interactivity. Continuously monitor performance (web Core Web Vitals, mobile app startup time and frame rates) and guide the team in improving these metrics.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure a high standard of front-end code quality. Establish coding standards, UI testing strategies, and code review practices for all front-end teams. Work with QA engineers to implement automated testing (unit, integration, end-to-end) for front-end components, and ensure that web and mobile UIs are thoroughly tested across browsers/devices.
• Troubleshooting & Support: Act as the go-to expert for resolving complex front-end issues. When critical bugs or performance issues arise in production (whether on the web platform or in the mobile app), provide hands-on debugging and solutions. Optimize and refactor existing code where needed to improve stability and maintainability.
• Innovation and R&D: Stay abreast of the evolution of frontend technologies and emerging industry trends. Proactively research new architectural approaches (e.g. micro-frontend architecture for modular web apps) and modern frameworks or tools that could benefit the product. Evaluate the potential of trends like Progressive Web Apps, WebAssembly, or newer JavaScript frameworks, and prototype solutions to assess their fit for our needs . Provide recommendations to adopt improvements that keep our front-end stack modern and efficient.

Web Platform (Customer-Facing Website)

• Architect the Web UI: Design and oversee the architecture of our customer-facing website where users learn about and purchase insurance policies. Ensure the web app is built with a responsive, mobile-first design that works seamlessly across all modern browsers and devices. Emphasize SEO-friendly architecture (e.g. Server-Side Rendering or pre-rendering for key pages) to maximize discoverability and traffic.
• Feature Development & Integration: Guide the web development team in implementing user-facing features (quote flows, policy management dashboards, etc.) with an intuitive UI/UX. Integrate web interfaces with backend services and APIs in an efficient manner (minimizing API calls, using GraphQL or batching where appropriate). Ensure data displayed (policy details, quotes, etc.) is updated in real-time through websockets or polling when necessary, providing a dynamic single-page app experience.
• Performance & Optimization (Web): Continuously optimize the website for fast performance and high conversion rates. Implement techniques like CDN usage, asset minification, bundle analysis and optimization, and using modern build tools (Webpack/Vite) for efficient loading . Monitor web performance metrics (load time, Time to Interactive, First Input Delay, etc.) and optimize the UI to meet Core Web Vitals targets.
• Accessibility & Cross-Browser Compatibility: Ensure the web platform is fully accessible and usable by all customers, including those with disabilities. Enforce WCAG accessibility standards in the UI (proper ARIA roles, keyboard navigation, screen-reader support). Also guarantee cross-browser compatibility by testing and fixing issues on different browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, etc.) and various screen sizes.
• UX Collaboration: Work closely with UX/UI designers in the web team to review design proposals, provide feedback from a technical perspective, and ensure designs are feasible within the chosen technical framework. Contribute to making trade-off decisions (for example, when animations or interactive elements might impact performance, propose alternatives). Ensure that the final implementation of the web UI remains faithful to the intended design and branding.

Mobile Application (Customer-Facing Mobile App)

• Mobile App Architecture: Design the architecture of our mobile application (for iOS and Android) which allows customers to manage their insurance on-the-go. Decide on the appropriate development approach – whether it’s native development for each platform or using a cross-platform framework (like React Native or Flutter) – based on long-term scalability and team expertise. If cross-platform, define how shared code vs platform-specific code is organized; if native, ensure both apps follow consistent design principles and parity in features.
• High Performance Mobile UI: Ensure the mobile app delivers a native-like, high-performance user experience. Optimize for quick launch times, smooth transitions, and minimal lag. Guide developers in using platform-specific optimizations (e.g., efficient list rendering, background thread use, memory management) and in leveraging device capabilities (camera, biometric auth, etc.) without compromising performance or security.
• Offline Capability & Reliability: Architect the app to handle intermittent connectivity gracefully – e.g., caching critical data, enabling offline modes for certain features, and syncing data when a connection is available. Ensure the app handles errors or network failures in a user-friendly way. Incorporate robust logging and crash analytics to monitor app stability (aiming for a high crash-free user rate).
• Integration and APIs (Mobile): Work with backend teams to shape APIs that cater to mobile needs, such as more granular or combined endpoints to reduce network calls on mobile networks. Ensure efficient data transfer and usage (e.g., using compression, handling pagination for large datasets like policy lists or transaction history). Also oversee integration of mobile-specific services such as push notifications and in-app updates, ensuring they are architected properly.
• App Store Deployment & Compliance: Oversee the technical preparations for app releases. Make sure the app meets all App Store and Google Play requirements (performance, privacy policies, proper use of SDKs). Review the build and deployment pipelines for automating app releases and ensure versioning and release processes are smooth. Stay aware of mobile OS changes (new iOS/Android versions, new device form factors) that could require architectural adjustments or updates to the app.

Internal Intranet Tools (Employee-Facing Applications)

• Internal Frontend Architecture: Architect and guide development of the internal web applications/tools used by our operations, support, and analytics teams. These could include admin dashboards, customer service portals, or analytics dashboards. Choose front-end technologies for these tools that align with our overall stack (for instance, if our public site is in React, likely use React for internal tools as well for consistency and reusability).
• Usability & Efficiency: Ensure that intranet tools have intuitive and efficient user interfaces that maximize employee productivity. Design UI layouts for complex forms or dashboards such that users (e.g., support agents processing claims) can accomplish tasks with minimal clicks and errors. Incorporate user feedback from internal users to continuously refine the tools’ usability.
• Integration with Backend/Internal APIs: Work closely with backend and IT teams to integrate intranet UIs with internal services or databases. Ensure these tools reflect real-time data (e.g., policy details, customer info) and allow staff to perform actions (approvals, adjustments) seamlessly. Consider using role-based access control, so the frontend only shows features or data that a given internal user role should access.
• Maintainability: Since internal requirements can evolve quickly, design the internal tools’ front-end architecture to be flexible and maintainable. This could involve modularizing features, using a micro-frontend approach for different internal modules, or simply clean separation of concerns in code. Ensure that adding new features (like a new report or a new workflow in the tool) can be done with minimal impact on existing functionality.
• Tool Performance and Reliability: Even though internal, these tools should meet performance standards – optimize load times for data-heavy pages (e.g., using virtualized lists for large tables of customers/policies) and ensure they can handle large data sets without crashing the browser. Implement thorough testing for internal tools as well, to prevent business disruptions caused by tool outages or bugs.

Required Technical Skills

• Frontend Expertise: Extensive experience (8+ years) in front-end development using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript/TypeScript. Deep understanding of core web fundamentals (DOM, browser rendering, performance tuning, responsive design techniques).
• Modern Web Frameworks: Hands-on proficiency with one or more modern web frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js for building single-page applications. Strong React experience is preferred, as React remains one of the most widely adopted front-end libraries . Familiarity with server-side rendering frameworks or meta-frameworks (e.g., Next.js, Nuxt) for SEO and performance optimization is a plus.
• Mobile Development: Strong knowledge of mobile app development. Experience building native mobile apps (iOS Swift/Objective-C and Android Kotlin/Java) and/or cross-platform apps (React Native, Flutter). Should understand the mobile development lifecycle, differences between platforms, and how to design a codebase for cross-platform sharing. Familiarity with mobile UI frameworks and native UI components, as well as the process for publishing apps to Apple App Store/Google Play.
• UI/UX and Design Systems: Demonstrated ability to implement pixel-perfect user interfaces and to work with design systems. Experience creating or maintaining a design system/style guide for front-end is important – including reusable UI components, standardized CSS (or CSS-in-JS methodologies), and design tokens. Should be comfortable using design tools and translating UX prototypes into code, while ensuring consistency in user experience across web and mobile.
• Performance Optimization & Tools: In-depth knowledge of front-end build and optimization tools (Webpack, Vite, Babel, esbuild, etc.) and strategies for optimizing performance. Proficient in using debugging and profiling tools (Chrome DevTools, Lighthouse, Xcode/Android Studio profilers) to analyze and improve performance. Should understand techniques like lazy loading, bundling and tree-shaking, optimizing network calls, and using CDNs/caching to improve speed .
• API Integration & State Management: Strong understanding of RESTful API integration and handling data in front-end. Experience with GraphQL and real-time data (WebSockets) is a plus. Should be adept at implementing state management (using Redux, Context API, Vuex, etc.) for complex applications, managing client-side state and caching effectively across pages/screens.
• Testing and CI/CD: Experience with front-end testing frameworks (unit testing with Jest, Mocha, or Jasmine; end-to-end testing with Cypress, Selenium, or Appium for mobile). Knowledge of setting up CI/CD pipelines for front-end projects – e.g., automated builds, test runs, and deployments for web (to staging/production environments) and mobile (continuous integration for app builds and facilitating deployments to stores).
• Version Control & Collaboration: Proficiency with Git and collaborative development workflows (pull requests, code reviews). Experience using project management and collaboration tools (JIRA, Confluence, etc.) to document designs and track progress.
• Front-End Security & Accessibility: Solid grasp of web security principles (CSP, OAuth token handling, preventing vulnerabilities like XSS/CSRF) and applying them in front-end code. Also, strong awareness of accessibility standards and implementing them (ARIA roles, color contrast, semantic HTML usage), ensuring our applications are usable by people with disabilities.
• Up-to-Date with Trends: Continuous learner who keeps up with the evolution of front-end tech. Aware of current and upcoming trends such as the rise of TypeScript, popularity of new frameworks (e.g. Svelte, Solid), emerging architecture patterns like micro-frontends and edge computing, and improvements in browser APIs. Comfortable quickly learning new technologies and assessing their maturity for production use.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Lead the front-end development teams (web and mobile) by providing technical direction and mentorship. Review code and designs, share best practices, and help engineers resolve complex technical problems. Foster a culture of clean code, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product Managers, Designers, Backend Architects, and DevOps to ensure front-end architecture aligns with product vision and backend capabilities. Participate in requirements discussions and planning, providing technical insights and ensuring that front-end considerations (like effort for a given UI feature, potential performance impacts) are accounted for in project plans.
• Project Planning & Execution: Collaborate with engineering managers and project leads to plan front-end development activities. Help break down epics into actionable technical tasks, estimate effort for front-end work, and identify dependencies. Ensure that front-end deliverables are on track and coordinate across teams to resolve any blockers (for example, API dependencies or design clarifications).
• Architectural Governance: Serve as the guardian of front-end architecture by conducting architecture reviews and audits of the front-end codebases. Make sure that implementations adhere to the prescribed architecture and coding standards. Where multiple teams contribute to the front-end, enforce consistency and guide the integration (for example, if multiple web modules or micro-frontends are used, ensure they conform to shared standards).
• Documentation & Communication: Clearly document architectural decisions, diagrams, and guidelines for the front-end. Conduct training sessions or tech talks for team members to understand the architecture. Communicate complex technical concepts in simple terms to stakeholders or leadership when needed – for instance, explaining why a certain framework or refactor is necessary in the context of business goals.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Encourage and evaluate new ideas from the team. Stay updated on industry best practices and proactively propose improvements to our front-end stack or processes. For example, if a new testing tool can improve quality or a new library can reduce load time, lead the effort to trial and adopt it. Ensure the team is not just executing tasks but also continuously modernizing and improving the product’s front-end.
• Hiring & Team Development: Play a key role in hiring for front-end talent. Interview candidates for technical skill fit, and help onboard new developers by educating them on our architecture and standards. Provide career guidance to existing team members, helping them grow into senior engineers or architects over time.

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication: Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas and decisions to both technical team members and non-technical stakeholders. Can articulate the rationale behind architectural choices in terms of business value and impact.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Strong leadership presence – able to inspire and lead by example. Collaborative mindset to work with cross-functional teams and bring together perspectives from design, product, and engineering. Skilled in mentoring and guiding teams through challenges.
• Problem-Solving: Analytical thinker who can quickly break down complex problems (like debugging a sporadic front-end bug or tackling a performance bottleneck) and devise effective solutions. Comfortable making decisions under uncertainty, using a mix of experience, data, and intuition.
• Adaptability: Embraces change and new challenges. In the fast-evolving front-end landscape, able to adapt to new technologies and frameworks and guide the team through transitions. Also flexible in adjusting plans when business requirements change, without losing sight of long-term architectural goals.
• Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail in the user interface, ensuring that the final product not only works well but also looks polished and professional. Cares about pixel-perfect implementation, consistency in design, and a smooth user experience. Also diligent in code details – catching edge cases and preventing defects.
• User-Centric Mindset: Always keeps the end-user experience in focus. Even as a deep technologist, empathizes with the user – whether it’s a customer using the mobile app or an employee on an internal tool – and drives the team to build interfaces that are intuitive, accessible, and delightful to use.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to zoom out and see the big picture of how front-end systems contribute to business success. Balances immediate project needs with a long-term vision for the product’s evolution. Skilled at planning ahead to ensure the front-end architecture can accommodate future requirements and scaling.

Effectiveness and Performance Indicators

• High-Performing Web & Mobile Apps: The customer-facing website and mobile app are fast, responsive, and reliable. Key metrics like page load time, Time to Interactive, and mobile app startup time consistently meet targets (e.g., Core Web Vitals in the “good” range). The mobile app maintains a high crash-free rate and positive app store ratings, indicating stability and performance.
• Seamless User Experience: A consistent and intuitive user experience across web and mobile platforms. This can be observed through improved user engagement metrics (longer session durations, higher conversion rates on purchase funnels) and positive user feedback. Fewer user complaints or support tickets related to UI issues or confusion.
• Architecture Scalability & Flexibility: The front-end architecture proves adaptable to new requirements. For example, when new insurance products or features are introduced, they can be integrated without major refactoring, thanks to a modular architecture. This is evidenced by development velocity – new features are delivered quickly and with minimal bugs, showing that the architecture is not a bottleneck.
• Code Quality & Maintainability: High code quality as indicated by metrics like test coverage, static code analysis, and low defect rates. Few critical bugs escape to production, and those that do are resolved quickly. The front-end codebases (web, mobile, intranet) remain clean and organized, making onboarding of new developers faster and reducing the cost of maintenance.
• Effective Team Collaboration: Smooth collaboration between front-end and other teams, facilitated by the architect’s guidance. For instance, backend APIs are well-aligned with front-end needs (few iterative changes needed), and design handoffs to development are efficient with minimal rework. The architect’s presence reduces miscommunication and ensures a shared understanding of technical constraints and possibilities.
• Innovation & Technical Improvement: Over time, visible technical improvements in the front-end stack. Examples include successful implementation of a design system (with high adoption across teams), introduction of performance enhancements (like migrating to a faster build tool or implementing a new caching strategy) that yield tangible benefits, or adopting a new framework/module that improves developer productivity. The architect is seen as driving these positive changes.
• Mentorship and Team Growth: The front-end development team shows skill growth and confidence. Junior developers improve their capabilities under the architect’s mentorship (e.g., able to take on more complex tasks), and the team as a whole follows best practices consistently. High team morale and low turnover in the front-end team can be an indirect indicator of effective leadership and a healthy development culture.

Recommended Maturity and Seniority Level

• Experience: Typically 8–12+ years of software development experience, with a significant focus on front-end engineering. Within this, at least 3–5 years of experience in a lead/architect capacity overseeing complex web and/or mobile applications.
• Proven Track Record: The candidate should have a demonstrated history of architecting and delivering successful UI applications (both web and mobile) ideally in direct-to-consumer or other high-user-volume contexts. Experience in the fintech, insurance, or e-commerce domain is a plus, showing an ability to handle transaction-heavy or form-intensive applications.
• Seniority: This individual operates at the level of a Principal Engineer/Architect or similar, capable of decision-making with minimal guidance. They should be comfortable influencing and guiding other senior engineers and be recognized as an expert in front-end technologies. The role requires both technical depth and strategic insight, so a mature perspective on balancing short-term vs long-term technical decisions is essential.