Design Engineer

Summary

Join Murmuration, a non-profit organization, as a Design Engineer to build user interfaces for data and research tools. You will design, build, and maintain responsive web experiences using React and modern frontend technologies. Collaborate with a cross-functional team to translate designs into accessible, performant components. Integrate interfaces with backend APIs and ensure smooth data presentation. Optimize frontend performance and stay current on the latest trends in data visualization and civic tech. This is a full-time, salaried position based anywhere in the U.S., offering a comprehensive benefits package and a salary range of $105,000-$130,000.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in UI engineering or full-stack roles with a strong focus on frontend
• Proficiency in React or similar component-based frameworks, with experience in building and managing production web applications
• Experience designing and developing full web applications that include data visualization components (e.g., dashboards, charts, maps, or interactive filters)
• Experience with Redux or similar state management libraries
• Familiarity with TailwindCSS or similar utility-first CSS frameworks for efficient, scalable styling
• Experience translating Figma or similar design files into production-ready code
• Strong design sensibility—typography, color, layout, and accessibility best practices
• Familiarity with integrating frontend code with backend APIs (REST/GraphQL)
• Exposure to light backend development or formatting data for frontend use
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, especially when optimizing frontend performance and rendering large datasets
• Proven track record of collaborating within small, agile teams—comfortable wearing multiple hats and contributing across disciplines
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical and design concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain clean, responsive user interfaces within the Research Division using React and modern frontend technologies
• Design interface layouts and interaction flows in Figma when needed, especially for new features or rapid prototyping
• Translate Figma designs into accessible, performant, pixel-perfect components
• Implement reusable component patterns and help evolve our internal design system
• Integrate interfaces with backend APIs and ensure smooth data presentation (without requiring complex wrangling or transformation)
• Work closely with research engineers, product, and data research teams to align on user needs and UX strategy
• Ensure interfaces follow best practices in accessibility, responsiveness, and performance
• Dig into the backend and work on upstream features or pipelines as needed
• Optimize frontend performance, ensuring smooth integration of real-time and static datasets into visualizations and interfaces
• Stay current on the latest trends and technologies in data visualization, frontend development, and civic tech to continuously improve Murmuration’s tools and workflows

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in civic tech, advocacy, or nonprofit sectors
• Exposure to performance tuning and optimizing large-scale web apps
• Familiarity with accessibility audits and testing tools (e.g., axe, Lighthouse)
• Experience contributing to or building design systems
• Knowledge of user testing practices and iterative design cycles

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental insurance with 100% of premiums covered for you and qualifying family members
• Retirement benefits with a 5% employer match
• A flexible unlimited PTO plan
• Generous paid parental leave
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• A company laptop
• A flexible remote work environment
• A home office setup stipend for all new employees
• Monthly reimbursement for remote work expenses
• A yearly professional development fund
• Mental health and wellness benefits through Calm and Better Help
• Yearly in-person staff retreats
• A welcoming culture that celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging