UI Engineering Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Engineering Lead

Company: Meltplan

Location: Bengaluru, India

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering / Technology

Date Posted: 2026-05-19T10:19:36

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the architecture and development of scalable, modern UI systems leveraging React, TypeScript, and Next.js for core applications.

• Lead the implementation of a microfrontend architecture using Module Federation to enhance modularity and scalability.

• Establish and maintain reusable component patterns and design systems using TailwindCSS to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Collaborate closely with product and design teams to translate user experience visions into functional, intuitive interfaces.

• Implement robust frontend testing strategies using Playwright and Vitest to ensure high-quality, performant, and accessible applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a highly experienced UI Engineer who will not only code but also define the technical direction for frontend development at an early-stage company in the construction technology sector. The emphasis on microfrontends and scalable design systems indicates a need for a strategic thinker capable of building for future growth and maintainability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect and build robust, scalable, and maintainable frontend applications using React, TypeScript, and Next.js.

• Develop and enforce reusable component patterns and design systems with TailwindCSS to ensure UI consistency and developer efficiency.

• Spearhead the implementation and evolution of a microfrontend architecture leveraging Module Federation for enhanced modularity and team autonomy.

• Collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, and other Engineers to define and deliver exceptional user experiences for both internal and external users.

• Integrate frontend applications seamlessly with Firebase services for backend functionalities and data management.

• Continuously optimize frontend application performance, accessibility, and responsiveness to meet high user experience standards.

• Establish and maintain comprehensive frontend testing pipelines using Playwright and Vitest to ensure code quality, reliability, and regression prevention.

• Actively participate in architectural discussions, contribute to frontend best practices, and mentor junior engineers.

• Create and manage reusable shared libraries and scalable frontend modules to accelerate development across the organization.

• Enhance the overall frontend developer experience and application maintainability through strategic technical decisions and process improvements.

• Work closely with backend and platform engineering teams to ensure efficient and effective API integrations and data flows.

• Contribute to code reviews, create technical documentation, and help define and uphold engineering standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on leadership role. This individual will be expected to contribute code, define technical strategy, and mentor others, particularly in areas of scalable architecture, microfrontends, and advanced testing. The focus on developer experience and maintainability suggests a commitment to building a sustainable and efficient engineering culture.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong educational foundation in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field is implied by the experience requirements and technical depth expected.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of professional work experience in frontend engineering, with a significant portion focused on building scalable web applications and leading technical initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience with React and TypeScript for building complex, modern web applications.

• Proven hands-on experience with Next.js for server-side rendering and static site generation capabilities.

• Demonstrated experience in architecting and building scalable frontend architectures that can support growth.

• Strong understanding and practical experience with Microfrontend architecture principles and implementation using Module Federation.

• Proficiency with the Vite ecosystem for fast build processes and development server.

• Deep understanding and practical application of TailwindCSS for efficient and scalable UI design systems.

• Experience integrating frontend applications with Firebase services (e.g., Authentication, Firestore, Cloud Functions).

• Strong knowledge of frontend performance optimization techniques and tools.

• Proven experience writing automated frontend tests using Playwright and Vitest to ensure application quality and reliability.

• Solid understanding of responsive design principles and web accessibility standards (WCAG).

• Familiarity with component-driven development methodologies and best practices.

• Experience working effectively in fast-paced product environments, common in early-stage companies.

• Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills for complex frontend issues.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in early-stage startups, demonstrating adaptability and initiative.

• Experience in B2B SaaS product development, understanding of enterprise user needs.

• Familiarity with other modern frontend frameworks or libraries that could complement the existing stack.

• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines for frontend applications.

• Experience with GraphQL for efficient data fetching.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "minimum 10 years of work exp" is a critical requirement that signals a need for seasoned expertise, not just proficiency. The company is looking for someone who can lead architectural decisions and mentor others, implying a senior-level individual contributor or an individual who can grow into a team lead role. The emphasis on specific technologies like Module Federation and TailwindCSS suggests a highly modern and forward-thinking tech stack.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of well-architected, scalable frontend applications with a focus on maintainability and performance.

• Examples of reusable component libraries or design systems developed, ideally using utility-first CSS frameworks like TailwindCSS.

• Demonstrations of microfrontend implementations, ideally using Module Federation, highlighting modularity and independent deployment.

• Case studies detailing complex UI challenges overcome, illustrating problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

• Evidence of integrating third-party services or backend technologies (like Firebase) into frontend applications.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've documented frontend architecture, component libraries, or development workflows.

• Demonstrations of your approach to optimizing the frontend development lifecycle, including build processes and testing.

• Evidence of participation in or leadership of code reviews, contributing to team-wide process improvements.

• Any contributions to defining engineering standards or best practices for frontend development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "minimum 10 years of work exp" and the emphasis on architecture and systems, a strong portfolio is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their projects, explain architectural decisions, and articulate the impact of their work on scalability, maintainability, and developer productivity. The "How to Apply" section specifically requests links to products shipped and examples of proud work, reinforcing this requirement.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (10+ years), the location (Bengaluru, India), and the nature of the role (Lead position at an early-stage tech startup), a competitive salary range is expected. For a Lead UI Engineer with this experience in Bengaluru, a range of ₹30,00,000 to ₹50,00,000 per annum (approximately $36,000 - $60,000 USD, subject to exchange rates) would be a reasonable estimate. This range accounts for both strong technical expertise and leadership responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: A salary package designed to attract and retain top talent in the engineering field.

• Meaningful Equity: Opportunity to own a stake in the company's growth and success through stock options or grants, reflecting the early-stage startup environment.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning, training, and attending industry conferences to stay current with frontend technologies.

• High Ownership: The culture fosters significant autonomy and responsibility from day one.

• Small Team, Zero Bureaucracy: Environment conducive to rapid decision-making and direct impact.

Working Hours: While not explicitly stated, a standard full-time work week of approximately 40 hours is typical for such roles. However, the startup environment may sometimes require flexibility to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate for Bengaluru is based on research of senior/lead frontend engineering roles in established tech companies and startups within India. It considers the significant experience requirement and the leadership aspect of the "Lead" title. The conversion to USD is for illustrative purposes and subject to significant fluctuation. The benefits are directly pulled from the "Why MeltPlan" section, emphasizing the equity and high-ownership culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Construction Technology (ConTech) and AI. MeltPlan aims to revolutionize the $14 trillion construction industry by providing an AI-powered planning engine that optimizes pre-construction decisions, mitigating rework and change orders. This is a critical area of innovation within a traditionally slow-to-adopt sector.

Company Size: Early-stage startup. The description implies a small, agile team with "zero bureaucracy." This means a flat hierarchy and direct impact for every team member.

Founded: The company is founded by experienced operators, including Kanav (co-founder of the $3Bn health-tech company Innovaccer) and Tanmaya Kala (former Project Executive at DPR Construction). This blend of tech startup scaling experience and deep construction industry execution expertise is a core part of their identity.

Team Structure:

• The engineering team is likely small and highly collaborative, given the "small team, zero bureaucracy" ethos.

• This UI Engineering Lead will be a pivotal early hire, shaping the frontend team and its practices.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making, leveraging AI for planning optimization.

• Agile development practices, typical for startups, focusing on rapid iteration and feedback loops.

• Emphasis on systems-level thinking and building scalable solutions from the ground up.

• Focus on solving real-world problems in the construction industry, translating complex challenges into elegant software solutions.

Company Website: meltplan.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "make construction boring by making planning more intense" is a strong indicator of their culture: prioritizing thoroughness, data, and upfront problem-solving over reactive firefighting. The founders' backgrounds suggest a culture that values both technical excellence and pragmatic execution in a complex industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Lead UI Engineer, indicating a senior individual contributor role with significant technical leadership responsibilities. It sits at the top of the frontend engineering career path in a small organization, potentially serving as a precursor to a Head of Frontend Engineering or VP of Engineering role as the company scales. The expectation is for mastery of frontend architecture, system design, and the ability to influence technical direction.

Reporting Structure: As an early hire in a small team, the UI Engineering Lead will likely report directly to a CTO or Head of Engineering. They will have significant autonomy in defining their work and the frontend roadmap.

Operations Impact: The UI Engineering Lead will have a direct and substantial impact on MeltPlan's success by building the user-facing applications that drive customer adoption and internal efficiency. The quality and scalability of the UI will be critical for the company's ability to capture market share in the construction tech space. They will be instrumental in shaping the product's user experience, which is key to differentiating in a competitive market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Leadership: Opportunity to define and evolve the entire frontend technology stack, establish best practices, and build a high-performing frontend team from the ground up.

• Product Influence: Direct involvement in product strategy and roadmap discussions, allowing for significant influence on the direction of the company's offerings.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to a groundbreaking solution in the massive construction industry, potentially setting new standards for planning and AI integration.

• Startup Growth: Experience the rapid growth trajectory of an early-stage startup, with potential for significant career advancement and equity appreciation.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like microfrontends, advanced testing frameworks, and potentially explore adjacent areas like backend integration or DevOps as the company matures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "minimum 10 years of work exp" strongly suggests this is not an entry-level or mid-level position. It's for someone who has seen the lifecycle of building and scaling applications and can lead the charge. The growth potential is tied to the company's scaling trajectory, offering a chance to build a department and influence company-wide technical strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Bengaluru, India. This indicates a preference for in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and a structured work environment typical of established tech hubs.

Office Location(s): Bengaluru, India, a major hub for technology and innovation in India, providing access to a strong talent pool and a vibrant tech ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The "small team, zero bureaucracy" culture suggests an open and collaborative workspace where ideas are shared freely, and cross-functional interaction is encouraged.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern development tools, including high-performance workstations, necessary software licenses, and a well-supported infrastructure for development and testing.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with founders, product managers, designers, and other engineers, fostering a sense of shared purpose and direct contribution to company goals.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, likely with flexibility to accommodate project needs. The emphasis on "high ownership from day one" suggests a results-oriented culture where individuals are empowered to manage their time effectively to achieve objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement in Bengaluru suggests the company values in-person collaboration, especially at this early stage. This is common for startups aiming to build strong team cohesion and facilitate rapid, informal communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on GitHub, product links, and the "proudly built" example. This is designed to quickly assess your practical experience and passion.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions covering your experience with React, TypeScript, Next.js, Module Federation, TailwindCSS, and testing frameworks. Expect deep dives into architectural decisions, problem-solving scenarios, and system design challenges.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session, likely during a technical interview, where you will walk through your portfolio, explaining your contributions, architectural choices, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss scalability, maintainability, and performance.

• Culture/Values Fit: Discussions with founders or senior team members to assess alignment with MeltPlan's culture, including ownership, collaboration, and problem-solving approach.

• Final Round: Potentially a broader discussion on technical strategy and vision for the frontend at MeltPlan.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Wisely: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in React, TypeScript, Next.js, microfrontends, and scalable design systems. Prioritize projects that demonstrate architectural thinking and significant impact.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the technical challenges faced, the solutions implemented (especially architectural ones), and the measurable outcomes (e.g., performance improvements, developer efficiency gains, user satisfaction).

• Highlight Architecture: Be prepared to draw diagrams and explain your architectural decisions. For microfrontends, detail how Module Federation was used and the benefits it provided. For design systems, explain your approach to reusability and maintainability with TailwindCSS.

• Showcase Testing: Demonstrate your understanding of frontend quality by showcasing your use of Playwright and Vitest. Explain your testing strategy and how it contributed to a more stable application.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about trade-offs, alternative solutions, and how you'd handle specific scenarios in MeltPlan's context.

Challenge Preparation:

• System Design: Practice designing scalable frontend architectures, considering factors like state management, data fetching, routing, and deployment for microfrontends.

• Code Challenges: Be prepared for live coding or take-home challenges that test your proficiency in React, TypeScript, and modern frontend patterns.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think through how you would approach common frontend challenges, such as performance bottlenecks, cross-browser compatibility, or accessibility issues, specifically within a microfrontend architecture.

• TailwindCSS & Responsiveness: Be ready to discuss best practices for using TailwindCSS and ensuring a responsive, accessible user experience across various devices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes practical demonstration of skills through a portfolio. Candidates should view this not just as a resume review but as an opportunity to "show, don't just tell." The "How to Apply" section is a direct instruction for portfolio preparation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• React: The core JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

• TypeScript: For static typing, enhancing code quality and maintainability.

• Next.js: A React framework for server-side rendering, static generation, and API routes, enabling performant and SEO-friendly applications.

• Vite: A modern build tool and development server that offers significantly faster cold server starts and Hot Module Replacement (HMR).

• TailwindCSS: A utility-first CSS framework for rapid UI development and building custom design systems.

• Module Federation: A microfrontend architecture tool, enabling dynamic code sharing and independent deployment of frontend applications.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Firebase Analytics: For tracking user behavior and application usage.

• Performance Monitoring Tools: Likely integrated within Next.js or Firebase for tracking application performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Firebase: Serves as a backend-as-a-service, providing databases (Firestore), authentication, hosting, and potentially cloud functions for backend logic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is modern and highly focused on performance, scalability, and developer efficiency. The explicit mention of Module Federation and TailwindCSS indicates a preference for cutting-edge practices. Candidates should be well-versed in these specific technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Ownership: Expectation that individuals take full responsibility for their work, from conception to deployment and maintenance, driving initiatives forward with minimal oversight.

• Builder Mentality: A strong emphasis on creating, shipping, and iterating. The company values individuals who are hands-on and passionate about building tangible products.

• Data-Driven & AI-Focused: Core to MeltPlan's mission is leveraging data and AI to optimize decisions in construction. This value permeates decision-making across the organization.

• Efficiency & Optimization: As a company building an "engine" for planning, efficiency and optimization are paramount, both in the product and in internal processes.

• Impact-Oriented: Focus on making a significant, real-world impact on a massive industry, rather than just incremental improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Lean & Agile: Characterized by small teams, fast decision-making, and direct communication channels, minimizing bureaucracy.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration between engineering, product, and design is essential to translate complex industry problems into user-friendly solutions.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: In a small team, open and constructive feedback is crucial for continuous improvement of both individuals and the product.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of technical expertise and learnings to elevate the entire team's capabilities, especially in areas like new architectural patterns or tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Builder Mentality" and "High Ownership" are key cultural pillars. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The company's mission also suggests a culture that values innovation and the application of advanced technology (AI) to solve traditional industry problems.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scaling a New Technology Stack: Building a robust, scalable frontend from scratch using modern but potentially less established patterns like Module Federation requires careful planning and execution.

• Bridging the Gap: Translating complex construction planning concepts into intuitive and user-friendly software interfaces for a diverse range of users.

• Early-Stage Startup Environment: Navigating the inherent uncertainties, rapid changes, and resource constraints common to startups.

• Defining Best Practices: Establishing and enforcing frontend best practices, architectural standards, and quality metrics in a nascent engineering team.

• Attracting and Retaining Talent: As the company grows, building and leading a strong frontend engineering team will be a significant challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Microfrontends: Gain extensive practical experience with Module Federation and microfrontend architectures, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Lead Architectural Design: Shape the future of MeltPlan's frontend architecture, influencing long-term technical strategy and scalability.

• Industry-Specific Solutions: Develop a deep understanding of the construction industry's planning challenges and how technology can provide solutions.

• Mentorship and Team Building: Opportunity to mentor junior engineers and build out a talented frontend team as the company scales.

• Equity Growth: Potential for significant personal financial growth through equity if the company is successful.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the startup environment and the specific technical focus of the role. The growth opportunities are framed around acquiring in-demand skills, gaining leadership experience, and benefiting from the company's potential success.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience with microfrontend architectures. What are the main benefits and drawbacks, and how would you implement Module Federation at MeltPlan?" (Focus on practical application, trade-offs, and specific MeltPlan context)

• "How would you approach building a scalable design system using TailwindCSS for a rapidly growing product? What are the key considerations for reusability and maintainability?" (Highlight your process, tools, and experience with utility-first CSS)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in MeltPlan and the construction tech industry specifically?" (Research MeltPlan's mission and the industry's challenges)

• "Describe a time you took significant ownership of a project. How did you drive it to completion, and what did you learn?" (Prepare an example demonstrating initiative and responsibility)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin by stating the problem the project solved and the key business or user outcomes achieved.

• Explain Architecture First: Detail the overall architecture, especially if microfrontends were involved, and then dive into specific components or features.

• Showcase Code Quality: Be prepared to discuss your testing strategy (Playwright/Vitest) and how you ensure code quality and maintainability.

• Quantify Results: Use metrics whenever possible (e.g., performance improvements, reduction in bugs, development time saved) to demonstrate the value of your work.

• Be Ready for Whiteboarding: Anticipate using a whiteboard or collaborative tool to draw diagrams and explain complex concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on showcasing practical experience with the specified technologies and architectural patterns. Demonstrating an understanding of the company's mission and the startup environment will also be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Engineering Lead position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful projects that highlight your expertise in React, TypeScript, Next.js, Module Federation, and scalable design systems (TailwindCSS). Ensure these showcase your architectural thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 10+ years of experience, leadership in frontend architecture, and specific exposure to the required technologies. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your GitHub & Product Links: Ensure your GitHub profile is clean and showcases relevant personal projects or contributions. Provide direct links to products you've shipped, making it easy for the hiring team to review your work.

• Draft Your "Proudly Built" Note: Craft a concise and compelling description of something you've built that you are particularly proud of. This is your chance to tell a story about your passion and impact.

• Research MeltPlan: Understand the company's mission, the construction tech industry, and the challenges they aim to solve. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.