Talent Network: Principal Front-End Engineer

About Toptal

Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. We take the best elements of virtual teams and combine them with a support structure that encourages innovation, social interaction, and fun.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior/Principal Front-end Engineer to join the Toptal Resume team, a small, high-velocity team building an AI-powered career services platform. This is a hands-on, execution-heavy role for someone deeply experienced with React, Next.js, TypeScript, modern CSS, performance, and complex front-end product development. This role is ideal for someone who combines strong front-end craft with pragmatic product delivery.

Tasks and Deliverables

• Build and maintain high-quality front-end features in React, Next.js, and TypeScript.
• Own complex user-facing product flows in the Toptal Resume application.
• Build performant, accessible, responsive UI components with strong attention to usability and polish.
• Optimize front-end performance, including rendering behavior, loading experience, bundle size, and Core Web Vitals.
• Work with modern CSS patterns; Tailwind CSS experience is strongly preferred.
• Build and evolve reusable front-end patterns, component structures, and UI foundations.
• Integrate front-end features with backend APIs and collaborate on API contracts.
• Provide occasional support in Node.js / Next.js backend areas when needed.
• Review code and give practical, high-signal feedback to other engineers.
• Use AI development tools daily to increase delivery speed, improve code quality, and explore implementation options.
• Collaborate closely with product, design, backend, and engineering leadership.
• Work independently, communicate progress clearly, and take accountability for delivery.

Required Experience

• Senior or Principal-level front-end engineering experience, with a strong delivery track record.
• Deep production experience with React, Next.js, and TypeScript.
• Strong CSS fundamentals; experience with Tailwind CSS or similar modern styling approaches.
• Proven ability to build polished, responsive, accessible user interfaces.
• Strong understanding of front-end performance optimization and Core Web Vitals.
• Experience building consistent, reusable UI components and front-end patterns.
• Strong client-side state management experience in complex interactive applications.
• Solid understanding of REST/API integration and front-end/backend contracts.
• Some ability to work with Node.js or Next.js backend code when necessary.
• Strong code review skills and ability to distinguish maintainable, scalable front-end code from brittle implementation.
• Ability to make and own technical decisions, not just execute tickets.
• Fast, independent, methodical working style with strong written and verbal English communication.
• Daily use of AI development tools such as Claude Code or similar tools.

Nice to Have

• Experience with complex form-heavy or document-oriented products.
• Experience with Rails-backed applications or Rails/Next.js architectures.
• Experience with Turbo monorepos.
• Experience with observability and front-end monitoring tools such as Sentry, DataDog, or similar.

Engagement Highlights

• Work on an AI-powered career services platform with real users and direct impact.