Creative Front-End Engineer (Data Visualization) - (NYC or Remote)
We're seeking engineers who think beyond charts and dashboards, individuals who can craft compelling interactive experiences that make complex information understandable, insightful, and visually engaging. We are seeking a Senior Front-End Engineer to create sophisticated, client-facing interactive data experiences for institutional users. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, design, and storytelling, transforming complex datasets into intuitive, elegant, and highly engaging interfaces. This is not a traditional dashboard development role. We're looking for someone who can build experiences similar to those found in editorial and data storytelling studios such as Polygraph, The Pudding, and Pitch Interactive, experiences that combine compelling narratives, custom interactions, and polished visual design. You'll work closely with product, design, and data teams to bring complex ideas to life through responsive web applications and interactive visualizations.
Responsibilities
- Design and build high-quality interactive data experiences for sophisticated end users.
- Develop custom data visualizations using D3 and modern front-end frameworks.
- Create rich interactions using SVG, Canvas, and WebGL technologies.
- Translate complex datasets into intuitive narrative or exploratory interfaces.
- Collaborate with designers and stakeholders to deliver polished, production-ready experiences.
- Optimize applications for performance, responsiveness, and accessibility.
- Contribute to front-end architecture and establish best practices for visualization development.
- Balance technical excellence with strong visual and user experience considerations.
Requirements
- Approximately 5–10 years of professional experience in front-end engineering (flexible for exceptional candidates).
- Strong experience with modern JavaScript and TypeScript.
- Deep expertise with React or Svelte.
- Significant experience building custom data visualizations using D3.
- Experience working with SVG, Canvas, and/or WebGL.
- Strong understanding of responsive design and modern UI development practices.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into elegant user experiences.
- Experience building polished, production-grade applications for external users.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Nice to Have
- Portfolio showcasing interactive storytelling, data journalism, or advanced visualization work.
- Experience with animation and motion design principles.
- Familiarity with GIS, mapping, or spatial data visualization.
- Experience working with institutional, financial, research, or enterprise datasets.
Contract Details
- Contract Length: 6 months (1099 contract)
- Hours: Full-time (40 hours a week, EST)
- Location: Hybrid in New York strongly preferred; exceptional remote candidates will be considered
- Extension Potential: Yes
- Conversion to Full-Time: Potential opportunity based on performance and business needs