Software Engineer, UI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Software Engineer, UI

Company: Kelluu

Location: Helsinki, Joensuu, Tampere, Finland

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Software Engineering / UI Development

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Own the end-to-end development lifecycle of Kelluu's critical flight operations UI, directly impacting the scalability and efficiency of autonomous airship operations.

• Drive product roadmap definition for the UI, translating complex operator needs into intuitive, user-centric features that reduce cognitive load and enhance operational reliability.

• Develop and architect robust, high-reliability frontend systems using modern frameworks like Vue or React, with full-stack capabilities extending to Django and Python.

• Prepare for and embrace a leadership trajectory, with the expectation to grow into a team lead role, mentoring junior developers and shaping the future of the UI team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a key individual contributor with a clear growth path towards team leadership. The emphasis on "owning" the UI and "driving" the roadmap indicates a high degree of autonomy and strategic input expected from the candidate. The "hybrid" work arrangement, coupled with a focus on deliverables rather than location, suggests flexibility but also requires strong self-management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement user interfaces for Kelluu's internal flight operations platform, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for mission commanders, pilots, and ground crew.

• Collaborate closely with operations teams, engineers, and stakeholders to gather requirements, understand user pain points, and translate them into actionable UI development plans and technical specifications.

• Architect and build scalable, high-reliability frontend solutions using Vue or React, ensuring robust performance and stability under demanding operational conditions.

• Contribute to backend development using Django and Python, enabling full-stack capabilities and seamless integration of UI components with underlying systems.

• Define and manage the UI product roadmap, prioritizing features, and driving the technical direction of the UI based on operational needs and strategic company goals.

• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance UI usability, reduce operator stress, and increase operational efficiency through innovative design and automation.

• Take ownership of the UI's technical architecture, ensuring best practices in code quality, maintainability, and performance are consistently applied.

• As the UI team grows, take on responsibilities for mentoring junior developers, conducting code reviews, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

• Contribute to the development of AI-assisted development workflows and tools, aiming to increase team productivity and development speed.

• Ensure frontend applications are thoroughly tested, implementing comprehensive testing strategies to guarantee system reliability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual technical contribution and future leadership. The emphasis on "owning" the UI and "driving" the roadmap suggests a strategic role beyond typical UI development. The mention of "AI-assisted development workflows" and "high reliability systems" points towards a sophisticated technical environment and a need for forward-thinking development practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is highly beneficial for understanding core software development principles.

Experience: A minimum of 2-5 years of professional experience in frontend development is expected, with a proven track record of delivering impactful user interfaces. Experience in full-stack development, particularly with Python and Django, is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Frontend Frameworks: Proficient in Vue.js or React, with a strong understanding of their ecosystems and best practices.

• Backend Proficiency: Experience with Python and Django for full-stack development capabilities.

• UI/UX Fundamentals: Ability to translate user needs into intuitive and effective UI designs.

• High Reliability Systems: Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining systems where reliability is paramount.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, with the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Strong analytical skills, comfort with ambiguity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving ("figure things out" mentality).

• Self-Management: Ability to organize and manage one's own workload effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Language Proficiency: Fluent in written and spoken English.

Preferred Skills:

• Frontend Testing: Experience with various frontend testing methodologies and tools.

• Domain Interest: A genuine interest in aerospace, defence, or autonomous systems.

• End-User Collaboration: Prior experience working directly with end-users or customers to inform product decisions.

• AI-Assisted Development: Familiarity with AI-assisted development workflows and tools (e.g., Rabbit).

• Software Architecture: Understanding of software architecture principles and design patterns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize practical, hands-on experience with key technologies and a strong capacity for independent work and clear communication. The preferred skills indicate areas that would make a candidate stand out, particularly domain interest and experience with user-centric product development, aligning with the role's focus on operational impact.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UI/UX Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end UI development projects. These should highlight the problem statement, your design process, the technologies used (Vue/React, Django), and the impact achieved.

• Impact Metrics: Quantify the results of your work. For each case study, provide specific metrics such as improvements in user task completion time, reduction in error rates, increase in user engagement, or operational efficiency gains.

• System Integration Examples: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how your UI solutions integrated with backend systems or APIs, demonstrating your full-stack awareness.

• Code Samples (Optional but Recommended): Provide links to a GitHub repository or relevant code snippets that showcase your coding style, proficiency in Vue/React/Python, and adherence to best practices, particularly for high-reliability systems.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate an understanding of how to map complex operational workflows and translate them into intuitive user interfaces.

• Iterative Development: Illustrate your approach to iterative development, including how you gather feedback, make adjustments, and continuously improve UI features.

• Reliability & Testing: Showcase your approach to ensuring system reliability, including any testing methodologies or quality assurance processes you've employed.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UI-focused role with leadership potential, the portfolio should not only showcase technical skill but also strategic thinking and demonstrable impact. Quantifiable results are crucial for illustrating how the candidate's work directly contributes to operational efficiency and business goals, especially in a context demanding high reliability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: 4800 - 5500€ per month.

📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is competitive for a mid-level to senior Software Engineer specializing in UI development in Finland, especially considering the specialized domain (autonomous systems, defence) and the potential for team leadership. The range reflects the required technical expertise, the responsibility of owning a critical platform, and the company's Series A funding status, indicating growth and investment. The range is provided in Euros, aligning with the Finnish location and thus no regional salary research outside of Finland is necessary.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to quality healthcare services.

• Lunch Benefit: A subsidized meal program, enhancing daily work life.

• Culture, Sports, and Wellbeing Benefit (Epassi): A flexible benefit covering a wide range of activities promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

• Phone: Provision of a company mobile phone.

• Tools for Success: Access to the necessary tools and technology to perform optimally.

• Flexible, Distributed Work: Emphasis on results and deliverables over strict location requirements, offering autonomy in how and where work is done within a hybrid framework.

Working Hours: While not explicitly defined as strict hours, the "Flexible, distributed work" policy suggests an outcome-oriented approach, likely aligning with standard full-time expectations (e.g., 40 hours per week) but with flexibility in scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is attractive, combining essential healthcare and meal provisions with a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing and flexibility. The mention of "tools you need to do your best work" indicates investment in the employee's productivity and comfort. The "flexible, distributed work" aligns with modern work trends and is a key perk for attracting talent in competitive tech markets.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Deep-tech, focusing on AI, autonomy, and aerial intelligence within the aerospace and defence sectors. Kelluu operates in both defence and civilian markets, providing data and AI solutions for critical infrastructure monitoring, environmental analysis, and national security.

Company Size: Rapidly growing, post-Series A funding. This indicates a dynamic startup environment where individuals can have significant impact but also requires adaptability. The team is expanding, suggesting opportunities for growth and influence.

Founded: [Company Founded - Not Provided]. The company has achieved flight-proven technology and operational status, with thousands of hours of autonomous flight experience and active programs across multiple nations.

Team Structure:

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role involves close collaboration with operations teams, engineering, mission commanders, pilots, and ground crew. This emphasizes a strong need for interdisciplinary teamwork.

• Reporting: Reports to the FCS and RF Lead Systems Engineer, Jaakko Rantala, indicating a technical reporting line within systems engineering.

• Growth Potential: The UI team is expected to grow, with the successful candidate envisioned to lead this expansion and mentor new hires.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Operations: Kelluu leverages data extensively, using AI to extract insights and drive decision-making.

• Agile & Iterative: The fast-paced environment and "everyone wears a few hats" culture suggest an agile methodology with a focus on rapid iteration and adaptation.

• Smart Work Practices: Extensive use of AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency is a core tenet. Curiosity about working smarter is highly valued.

Company Website: https://careers.kelluu.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Kelluu presents itself as an innovative, ambitious, and mission-driven company operating at the cutting edge of deep tech. The dual-use nature of its technology (defence and civilian) adds a layer of responsibility and complexity. The culture values adaptability, proactive problem-solving, and leveraging AI for efficiency, appealing to engineers who want to make a tangible impact in a fast-growing, high-stakes environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Software Engineer (2-5 years experience) with a clear trajectory towards a Senior/Lead Engineer role. The initial focus is on individual contribution and deep ownership of the UI platform, followed by team leadership responsibilities.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the FCS and RF Lead Systems Engineer, Jaakko Rantala. This suggests a close working relationship with senior technical leadership within the systems engineering domain, providing direct mentorship and guidance.

Operations Impact: The UI developed by this role is described as the "platform that every mission depends on." Success directly translates to the scalability of operations, faster launch sequences, quicker problem resolution, and increased operational flight time. This signifies a high-impact position where technical contributions have immediate and critical business consequences.

Growth Opportunities:

• Team Leadership: The explicit goal is for the candidate to "grow into leading the team that builds it," providing a direct path to management and team-building responsibilities.

• Technical Specialization: Deepening expertise in UI architecture, high-reliability systems, and full-stack development within the unique domain of autonomous aerospace.

• Domain Expertise: Developing specialized knowledge in aerospace, defence, and AI-driven autonomous systems, a highly sought-after skill set.

• Strategic Influence: Contributing to the product roadmap and technical direction of a critical platform, influencing the future of Kelluu's operations.

• Mentorship: The opportunity to mentor junior developers as the team expands.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a significant growth opportunity for a UI engineer looking to move beyond individual contribution. The company is investing in its talent, offering a clear path to leadership and specialized expertise in a cutting-edge field. The emphasis on "owning" the product and "shaping the roadmap" provides substantial influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model. While specific office details aren't provided, the emphasis on flexibility suggests that while there are office locations, the focus is on output rather than mandatory daily attendance. This allows for a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work.

Office Location(s): The role is available in Kelluu's Finnish offices located in Helsinki, Joensuu, and Tampere. This provides geographical flexibility within Finland.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative: The environment encourages close collaboration with operations teams and fellow engineers, fostering knowledge sharing and open communication.

• Tool-Rich: Employees are provided with "the tools you need to do your best work," implying access to modern development hardware, software, and potentially specialized AI tools.

• Dynamic Pace: The "fast-moving environment" and "everyone wears a few hats" culture suggest a stimulating, hands-on workspace where initiative is rewarded.

Work Schedule: Flexible and distributed. The primary focus is on delivering results. This implies that while full-time commitment is expected, there's likely flexibility in daily working hours to accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity, as long as project milestones are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and flexible work environment is a key attraction for modern tech professionals. It signals trust from the employer and empowers employees to manage their work-life balance effectively, provided they maintain high productivity and strong communication. The physical office locations offer hubs for in-person collaboration when needed.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Call: A preliminary screening to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and motivation for the role.

• Assignment: A technical assessment, likely a coding challenge or a small project, designed to evaluate frontend skills (Vue/React), potential full-stack capabilities (Python/Django), and problem-solving approach.

• Interview with Leadership: In-depth discussion with Jaakko Rantala (FCS and RF Lead Systems Engineer) and Pauli (Head of Software) to evaluate technical depth, strategic thinking, and alignment with company vision.

• Team Meet-and-Greet: An opportunity to interact with potential future colleagues, assessing team dynamics and cultural fit from both sides.

• Reference Check & Offer: Standard background and reference checks leading to a formal offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: As requested, emphasize achievements and quantifiable results over a simple list of responsibilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your thought process for UI design, development, and problem-solving. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Highlight Relevant Tech: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your Vue/React and Python/Django experience, and any work on high-reliability systems.

• Tailor to Kelluu: If possible, draw parallels between your past projects and Kelluu's operational domain (aerospace, defence, autonomy, AI) to demonstrate understanding and enthusiasm.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your portfolio in a clear, organized manner, making it easy for interviewers to grasp your contributions and impact quickly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Proficiency: Be prepared for a coding challenge that tests your core frontend skills (Vue/React) and potentially some backend logic (Python/Django). Practice common algorithms and data structures.

• Domain Awareness: Familiarize yourself with Kelluu's business, the challenges of autonomous systems, and the importance of UI in mission-critical operations.

• Leadership Potential: Be ready to discuss your thoughts on team building, mentoring, and managing technical projects, even if you haven't held a formal lead role.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would approach ambiguous problems, analyze user needs, and prioritize features in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership potential. The portfolio review is explicitly stated to focus on impact, so candidates should prepare to demonstrate concrete achievements rather than just listing technologies. The assignment phase is a critical point to showcase practical application of skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Frontend Frameworks: Vue.js and/or React are the core technologies for UI development. Proficiency in at least one is essential, with experience in both being a strong asset.

• Backend Language/Framework: Python and Django are used for backend development, indicating a need for full-stack capabilities or at least an understanding of how the UI interacts with the backend.

• AI-Assisted Development Tools: Experience with tools like Rabbit or similar AI-powered development assistants is preferred, highlighting a commitment to leveraging advanced technology for efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not explicitly mentioned for this role, but the broader company context of scaling operations and utilizing AI suggests that integration with various backend systems and potentially workflow automation tools might be part of the overall technical landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is modern and robust, with a clear emphasis on Vue/React for the frontend and Python/Django for the backend. The inclusion of "AI-assisted development tools" signals a forward-thinking approach to software engineering, where candidates are encouraged to embrace and utilize cutting-edge technologies to enhance productivity.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A core value is building something that matters, with a focus on tangible results and direct contributions to operational success.

• Efficiency & Smart Work: Extensive use of AI and a continuous drive to "work smarter" are central. The team values innovation in process and tool utilization.

• Curiosity & Proactivity: A culture that encourages asking questions, exploring new approaches, and taking initiative ("figure things out rather than waiting for instructions").

• Collaboration & Trust: Strong emphasis on knowledge sharing, open communication, and mutual trust within the team.

• Adaptability: Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to navigate a fast-paced, evolving environment are highly valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Engineers work directly with end-users (operators, commanders) and other engineering disciplines, fostering a holistic understanding of the product.

• Open Communication: Encouragement to ask "stupid" questions and share knowledge openly.

• Iterative Feedback: The culture supports continuous improvement through feedback loops between development and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kelluu's culture appears to be a blend of a fast-paced, innovative startup with the seriousness and responsibility of operating in the defence and aerospace sectors. The values promote autonomy, continuous learning, and a strong sense of collective purpose. Candidates who thrive in dynamic environments and are motivated by impactful work will find this culture appealing.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Scaling Environment: The company is growing quickly, meaning processes and priorities can shift. Adapting to change and maintaining momentum will be key.

• High-Reliability Demands: Building and maintaining UI for critical flight operations requires an exceptionally high standard of reliability, demanding meticulous development and testing.

• Ambiguous Requirements: The nature of innovative deep-tech can sometimes lead to evolving or ambiguous requirements, requiring proactive problem-solving and clarification.

• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Integrating new technologies and AI tools while ensuring the stability of core operational systems.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: A clear path to team lead, offering opportunities to hone management, mentoring, and strategic planning skills.

• Deep Tech Immersion: Gaining specialized knowledge in AI, autonomy, aerospace, and defence technology.

• Cross-functional Skill Building: Opportunities to deepen full-stack capabilities and understand complex systems engineering.

• Industry Exposure: Working on cutting-edge technology with real-world impact, potentially leading to opportunities at conferences or professional development in specialized fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of a fast-growing deep-tech company and are framed as opportunities for growth. The emphasis on continuous learning and the clear path to leadership make this role attractive for ambitious developers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UI Strategy & Vision: "How would you approach redesigning our flight operations UI to enable a single mission commander to manage multiple airships simultaneously? What are the key considerations for such a system?" (Focus on modularity, scalability, cognitive load reduction, and user feedback mechanisms.)

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Describe a time you had to work with non-technical stakeholders to define UI requirements. How did you ensure their needs were met while maintaining technical integrity?" (Highlight communication skills, active listening, and translation of technical concepts.)

• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Imagine a critical bug is reported in the UI during an active mission. How would you diagnose and resolve it under pressure? What steps would you take to prevent recurrence?" (Emphasize diagnostic process, communication, prioritization, and root cause analysis for process improvement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Kelluu's mission and technology in the aerospace/defence sector? How do you see your UI development skills contributing to our goals?" (Showcase research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you approach working in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment where priorities can shift? Can you provide an example?" (Demonstrate adaptability and resilience.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Impact-Centric Narrative: For each project, start with the business problem or operational challenge, followed by your solution and the measurable results. Use data to back up your claims.

• Process Visualization: Walk through your design and development process, using wireframes, mockups, or code snippets to illustrate key decisions and technical implementations.

• Technical Depth & Breadth: Be prepared to discuss the technical choices you made (e.g., why Vue/React, specific state management patterns, integration methods) and demonstrate your full-stack understanding.

• Future Vision: For leadership discussions, articulate your vision for building and growing a UI team, including mentorship strategies and fostering a positive team culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just technical proficiency but also strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the business impact of UI development, especially within a high-stakes operational context. The portfolio presentation is a critical component for showcasing past achievements and potential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Software Engineer, UI position:

• Submit your CV and application through the provided application link on Kelluu's careers page.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight achievements and quantifiable impacts relevant to UI development, high-reliability systems, and any full-stack experience (Python/Django). Use keywords from the job description such as Vue, React, UI design, high reliability, and AI-assisted development.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your UI development process, technical skills (Vue/React), integration experience, and most importantly, the measurable impact of your work. Be ready to walk through these in detail.

• Research Kelluu: Understand their mission, technology (AI, autonomy, aerospace), and company culture. Prepare to articulate why you are a good fit for their specific environment and values.

• Practice Interview Questions: Rehearse answers to strategy, technical, and behavioral questions, focusing on demonstrating problem-solving, leadership potential, and alignment with Kelluu's operational focus.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.