UX and Frontend Engineer - CrateDB Core and Cloud (m/f/x)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX and Frontend Engineer - CrateDB Core and Cloud (m/f/x)

Company: CrateDB

Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Job Type: Permanent employee

Category: Software Engineering / Frontend Development / UX Design

Date Posted: April 08, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Remote OK (Hybrid possible in Munich)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and implement intuitive user interfaces for CrateDB Core and CrateDB Cloud, ensuring a seamless user experience for developers and administrators.

• Champion and establish best practices in web development, including secure coding standards, efficient deployment pipelines, and scalable cloud architecture.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management to define feature roadmaps, prioritize technical debt reduction, and drive continuous improvement of the CrateDB platform.

• Contribute to the evolution of an open-source, distributed SQL database by integrating user feedback and technical advancements into the frontend and UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "UX and Frontend Engineer," the responsibilities heavily lean into product development and cross-functional collaboration, implying a need for strong communication and strategic thinking beyond pure technical execution. The emphasis on "easy-to-use user interface" and "best practices for web development" suggests a role that bridges user-centric design with robust engineering principles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with backend engineers, DevOps specialists, and product managers to deliver a user-friendly and efficient interface for both the on-premise CrateDB and CrateDB Cloud offerings.

• Define, document, and implement industry-leading web development standards, focusing on security, performance, and scalability for cloud-native applications.

• Partner with Product Management to translate product vision and user needs into actionable development plans, including feature prioritization and technical debt management.

• Conduct user research, design wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to visualize and test new interface concepts and user flows.

• Develop and maintain reusable UI components and libraries, ensuring consistency and efficiency across the CrateDB product suite.

• Implement frontend features using TypeScript and React, adhering to high-quality coding standards and ensuring robust application performance.

• Contribute to the continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline for frontend applications, optimizing deployment processes.

• Engage with the CrateDB open-source community to gather feedback, understand user pain points, and incorporate community contributions into product development.

• Troubleshoot and resolve frontend and UX-related issues, ensuring a stable and reliable user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility of "defining and implementing best practices for web development, deployment, and security" suggests a senior-level contribution, where the candidate is expected to not just follow but actively shape the technical direction of frontend development within CrateDB.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of proven experience in User Experience (UX) Design and Frontend Web Development, with a strong portfolio showcasing relevant projects.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Demonstrated expertise in user-centered design principles, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Frontend Development: Strong proficiency in modern JavaScript frameworks, particularly React, and deep understanding of TypeScript for building scalable and maintainable web applications.

• Web Development Fundamentals: Comprehensive knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, and responsive design principles.

• Cloud Application Development: Experience in building and deploying scalable web applications designed for cloud environments.

• Database Familiarity: Understanding of database concepts, with specific familiarity with relational databases.

• Programming Languages: Technical experience in Python for scripting, backend integration, or tooling.

• Communication: Fluent English (written and spoken) for effective collaboration in an international team.

Preferred Skills:

• Cloud Provider Expertise: Technical expertise with major cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, including their relevant services for web application deployment and management.

• Open Source Contributions: Previous work experience in Open Source projects and a familiarity with contributing to or managing open-source initiatives.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development environments, such as Scrum or Kanban.

• CrateDB Knowledge: Familiarity with CrateDB itself, its architecture, and its core functionalities.

• UI/UX Tooling: Proficiency with design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• CI/CD Tools: Experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment tools and practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience and the mention of defining "best practices" strongly suggest this role is targeting mid-to-senior level engineers. The "nice to have" skills like cloud provider expertise and Agile experience are common expectations for engineers working on cloud-based products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UX/UI Design Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed UX/UI design projects, highlighting the problem statement, design process, user research, wireframes, prototypes, final designs, and measurable outcomes or learnings.

• Frontend Development Projects: Include examples of complex React/TypeScript applications built for cloud environments, demonstrating code quality, performance optimization, and integration with backend services.

• System Architecture Contributions: If applicable, provide examples of contributions to the architecture or deployment of scalable web applications within cloud platforms.

• Problem-Solving Demonstrations: Present how you have approached and solved complex technical challenges in previous roles, particularly those related to user experience or frontend performance.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Ability to document and visualize user flows, application workflows, and development processes.

• Best Practice Implementation: Evidence of establishing and adhering to coding standards, security protocols, and deployment procedures.

• Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you track, analyze, and report on frontend performance metrics and user engagement data to inform development decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX and Frontend Engineer role, the portfolio is critical. It should not only display visual design skills but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the development lifecycle, cloud deployment, and how UX decisions impact technical implementation and user adoption. Highlighting measurable improvements (e.g., reduced load times, increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores) will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior UX and Frontend Engineer with 5-10 years of experience in Munich, Germany, the estimated annual gross salary range is €70,000 - €95,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Munich, the demand for specialized tech skills, and CrateDB's offering of competitive compensation and stock options.

Benefits:

• Remote Workplace: Full flexibility to work remotely.

• Competitive Compensation: A salary package designed to attract and retain top talent.

• Flexible Working Hours: Adapt your work schedule to your personal needs and peak productivity times.

• Comprehensive Perks:

  • Flexible Holidays: Enjoy additional flexibility in managing your vacation time.
  • Fitness Programs: Support for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
  • Education Opportunities: Resources and funding for continuous learning and professional development.

• Employee Stock Options Plan: Opportunity to participate in the company's growth and success through equity.

Working Hours: The role is based on a standard 40-hour work week, with a strong emphasis on flexible working hours to accommodate individual productivity and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for similar roles in Munich, Germany. It accounts for the specified experience level (5-10 years) and the inclusion of an Employee Stock Options Plan, which often supplements base salary. The exact compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: CrateDB operates in the Database Management Systems and Open Source Software sectors, specifically focusing on distributed SQL databases designed for modern applications and cloud environments. This industry is characterized by rapid technological advancement, a strong community focus, and high demand for scalable, performant data solutions.

Company Size: CrateDB is an international open-source company, implying a dynamic and potentially fast-growing environment. While the exact current size isn't specified, companies in this sector often range from established startups to medium-sized enterprises, fostering a collaborative and agile atmosphere.

Founded: Founded with a vision to revolutionize SQL database management for developers, CrateDB has established itself as a key player in the distributed database space. Its journey involves continuous innovation, community engagement, and building a robust platform for data-intensive applications.

Team Structure:

• The UX and Frontend Engineering team likely operates within a broader engineering department, collaborating closely with backend engineers, DevOps, and Product Management.

• Reporting structures are typically flat in open-source companies, encouraging direct communication and influence. This role might report to an Engineering Manager or Head of Engineering.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: User feedback, analytics, and A/B testing are likely employed to inform design decisions and measure the impact of UX improvements.

• Iterative Development: Agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, are expected, allowing for flexibility, rapid iteration, and continuous delivery of features.

• Open Source Principles: Transparency, community contribution, and collaborative problem-solving are core to the development process, influencing how features are conceived, developed, and released.

Company Website: https://crate.io/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "About us" section highlights CrateDB's commitment to being an international open-source company revolutionizing SQL database management. This suggests a culture that values innovation, developer empowerment, and community engagement. The emphasis on exploring, traveling, and making friends points towards a vibrant, social, and team-oriented work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX and Frontend Engineer. This level implies not only advanced technical proficiency in UX design and frontend development but also the ability to mentor junior team members, influence technical strategy, and take ownership of significant product areas. The engineer is expected to be a key contributor to architectural decisions and best practice implementation.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to an Engineering Manager or a similar leadership position within the engineering department. There will be significant collaboration with Product Management and other engineering teams, fostering a cross-functional working dynamic.

Operations Impact: The UX and Frontend Engineer directly impacts the usability and adoption of CrateDB Core and Cloud. By creating intuitive interfaces and efficient workflows, this role significantly influences developer productivity, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the commercial success of CrateDB's offerings. A strong UX can be a key differentiator in the competitive database market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced React patterns, TypeScript, performance optimization, or specific cloud technologies.

• Leadership Development: Transition into a Tech Lead role, guiding frontend teams, mentoring engineers, and contributing more heavily to architectural decisions.

• Product Strategy Input: Gain more influence on product roadmapping and feature prioritization, leveraging UX insights to shape the future of CrateDB.

• Cross-Functional Expansion: Develop skills in areas like DevOps, backend integration, or product management through cross-team projects.

• Open Source Community Leadership: Become a recognized contributor or maintainer within the CrateDB open-source community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5+ years" experience requirement and the responsibility for defining "best practices" clearly indicate a senior-level position. The growth opportunities reflect a path for individuals who want to deepen their technical expertise, move into leadership, or broaden their impact within the company and its open-source ecosystem.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While CrateDB offers a remote workplace, they also have a physical presence in Munich, suggesting a hybrid work model might be accommodated for those in the vicinity. The mention of "Herzogspitalstraße c/o Mindspace 24" indicates a co-working space environment in Munich, which often provides a professional, collaborative, and well-equipped setting for team meetings and focused work.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is Munich, Germany. The company also operates internationally, suggesting potential for remote collaboration with global teams.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Flexibility: The primary offering is a remote workplace, allowing engineers to work from a location of their choice, promoting work-life balance and autonomy.

• Collaborative Tools: Expect to utilize modern collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Jira, Confluence) for seamless communication and project management across distributed teams.

• Technology Stack: Access to a modern technology stack including TypeScript, React, and cloud platforms, fostering an environment for cutting-edge development.

• Co-working Space Access (Munich): For those opting for hybrid work or visiting Munich, access to a professional co-working space provides opportunities for in-person collaboration and networking.

Work Schedule: The company offers flexible working hours, which is a significant advantage for operations professionals. This allows for asynchronous collaboration and accommodates different time zones and personal schedules, crucial for a globally distributed team and for maintaining focus on deep work tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of a remote-first approach with a physical presence in a co-working space in Munich offers a flexible work environment. The emphasis on flexible hours is particularly beneficial for roles requiring focused development time and collaboration across different time zones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in CrateDB.

• Technical Interview(s): One or more interviews focusing on UX design principles, frontend development skills (TypeScript, React), and problem-solving abilities. This may include live coding exercises or discussions about past projects.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, discussing your design process, technical implementations, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to explain your decision-making and how you addressed user needs and technical constraints.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager and potentially other team members to assess your fit within the team, your understanding of CrateDB's mission, and your approach to collaboration.

• Final Interview (if applicable): Potentially a final conversation with a senior leader to discuss your long-term vision and alignment with the company's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose projects that best demonstrate your skills in UX design, frontend development (React/TypeScript), and cloud application development.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges you faced, your solutions, and the outcomes achieved. Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, code snippets) effectively.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present data-driven results. Did your design improve conversion rates? Did your optimization reduce load times?

• Showcase Technical Depth: For frontend projects, be ready to discuss your code architecture, state management, API integrations, and performance considerations.

• Tailor to CrateDB: Highlight projects that align with CrateDB's focus on developer tools, databases, cloud platforms, or open-source contributions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Frontend Challenges: Expect coding challenges that test your proficiency in React, TypeScript, and potentially data manipulation or algorithm implementation relevant to UI development.

• UX Design Challenges: You might be asked to critique an existing interface, propose improvements for a given scenario, or design a small feature from scratch. Focus on your thought process and rationale.

• System Design/Architecture: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach building scalable, performant, and secure frontend applications for cloud environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review is crucial for this role. Candidates should prepare to walk through their projects, detailing their design thinking, technical implementation choices, and the measurable impact of their work. This is not just about showing pretty designs but demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the entire product development lifecycle.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Frontend Framework: React is the primary JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

• Language: TypeScript for enhanced code quality, maintainability, and scalability.

• Styling/UI Libraries: Potential use of component libraries (e.g., Material UI, Ant Design) or custom CSS solutions.

• State Management: Familiarity with state management solutions like Redux, Zustand, or React Context API.

• Version Control: Git (with platforms like GitHub or GitLab) for code management and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to track user behavior and application performance.

• Performance Monitoring: Tools for monitoring frontend performance, load times, and error rates (e.g., Sentry, Datadog).

• Dashboarding: Potentially using tools like Grafana or custom-built dashboards for visualizing key metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management: Tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello for managing development tasks and workflows.

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD for UX/UI design and prototyping.

• CI/CD: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) for automated builds and deployments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technologies listed are React and TypeScript, with a strong emphasis on skills relevant to cloud applications. The mention of Python for scripting suggests potential integration with backend services or tooling. Proficiency with Git is a universal requirement for software engineers.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Developer-Centricity: A core value of CrateDB is empowering developers by providing them with powerful, easy-to-use tools. This translates to a focus on creating intuitive interfaces and robust functionalities for the CrateDB platform.

• Innovation & Exploration: The company encourages exploring new technologies and approaches, reflecting its open-source roots and commitment to staying at the forefront of database technology.

• Collaboration & Community: Emphasis on working together, both internally within teams and externally with the open-source community, fostering a supportive and knowledge-sharing environment.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality software, demonstrated through best practices in development, security, and user experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with backend engineers, product managers, and DevOps teams. This involves regular communication, joint problem-solving, and shared ownership of product outcomes.

• Open Feedback Culture: In an open-source environment, feedback is crucial. The team likely values constructive criticism and open discussions to drive continuous improvement in both the product and team processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Regular sharing of insights, learnings, and best practices through internal demos, documentation, or informal discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is deeply intertwined with its open-source nature. This means valuing community, collaboration, and a developer-first mindset. The "explore, travel, make friends, eat, and code" slogan suggests a vibrant, personable, and globally connected team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing UX and Technical Constraints: Effectively translating complex database functionalities into simple, intuitive user interfaces while adhering to technical limitations and performance requirements.

• Evolving Cloud Landscape: Keeping pace with the rapid advancements in cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP) and adapting frontend architecture accordingly.

• Open Source Community Engagement: Managing feedback and contributions from a diverse open-source community while maintaining a clear product roadmap and development direction.

• Scalability and Performance: Ensuring the frontend application remains performant and scalable as CrateDB and CrateDB Cloud grow in complexity and user base.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Frontend Techniques: Opportunities to master cutting-edge React patterns, state management solutions, and performance optimization strategies.

• Cloud Architecture: Deepen knowledge of cloud provider services (AWS, Azure, GCP) and best practices for building and deploying cloud-native applications.

• Open Source Contribution: Gain experience in contributing to and potentially leading aspects of a significant open-source project.

• Product Strategy: Develop a stronger understanding of product management, roadmap planning, and how UX influences business outcomes.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior engineers and contribute to the growth of the frontend team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles involving complex software, cloud integration, and open-source communities. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing technical skills, expanding into product strategy, and developing leadership capabilities within a dynamic tech environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for CrateDB Cloud, starting from user research to final implementation?" (Focus on process, UX methodologies, and collaboration)

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities between user experience goals and technical constraints. How did you resolve it?" (Highlight problem-solving, negotiation, and technical understanding)

• "How do you ensure your frontend code is scalable, maintainable, and secure, especially in a cloud environment?" (Discuss best practices, TypeScript, testing, and security considerations)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CrateDB and our mission to revolutionize SQL database management?" (Show genuine interest and research into the company)

• "How do you approach collaboration with backend engineers and product managers?" (Emphasize communication, teamwork, and cross-functional alignment)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or chronological order. For each project, use a consistent structure: Problem, Your Role, Solution (Design & Tech), Outcome/Learnings.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, interactive prototypes (if possible), and well-annotated code snippets where appropriate.

• Narrative: Focus on the "why" behind your decisions. Explain your thought process, the research that informed your choices, and the trade-offs you made.

• Metrics: Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible (e.g., user satisfaction scores, task completion rates, performance improvements).

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the candidate's ability to articulate their design process, technical choices, and the business impact of their work. Demonstrating an understanding of CrateDB's product and its open-source nature will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX and Frontend Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the CrateDB careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating strong UX design principles, React/TypeScript frontend development, and experience with cloud applications. Showcase your ability to translate complex requirements into user-friendly interfaces.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience in UX and frontend development, specifically mentioning TypeScript, React, and any experience with databases or cloud platforms. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical solutions, and project outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration, problem-solving, and your understanding of CrateDB's mission.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CrateDB's products (CrateDB Core and CrateDB Cloud), its open-source community, and its company values. Understand their position in the database market.

⚠️ 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.