Orthogonal Verified
Software Development
Design Engineer
San Francisco, CAOnsiteFull TimePosted 5 days agoVisa sponsorship availableHidden Gem · YC Startup
Required skills
- React
- TypeScript
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Figma
- System Design
- API Design
- UI
- typography
Nice to have
- startup
- ownership
- curiosity
- simple solutions
- complex problems
- autonomy
Role summary
Orthogonal is seeking a Design Engineer to join their early-stage team. This role sits between design and engineering, focusing on building and maintaining a design system and component library using React and TypeScript. Responsibilities include translating Figma designs into production-ready UI, prototyping new interactions, ensuring front-end quality, and improving performance and accessibility. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience in front-end development, particularly in design-engineering or design-systems roles, with fluency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, React, and Figma. A solid grasp of system design, API design, and a bias toward ownership are also required. The role is based in San Francisco.
[**Orthogonal**](https://www.orthogonal.com/)is the discovery, orchestration, and payment layer for the internet. Through a single integration, agents can discover new capabilities, access services instantly, and pay for them seamlessly.
Founded by a team that built at the intersection of payments, APIs, infrastructure, and AI at Coinbase, Vercel, Google, and Amazon Robotics. We've raised a [$4.3 million seed round](https://www.orthogonal.com/blog/orthogonal-raises-4-3-million-seed-round), led by Pantera Capital and backed by Y Combinator, Pioneer Fund, Decasonic, Blast, Outbound, Surreal by Premise, and other strategic investors.
**What you'll do**
You would be one of the first engineering hires, working directly with the founders—You will sit between design and engineering.
- Build and maintain a design system and component library in React and TypeScript
- Turn Figma designs into production-ready UI, with close attention to typography, motion, and accessibility
- Prototype new interactions and product ideas in code, then ship them yourself
- Partner with engineers to keep the front end fast and maintainable
- Own front-end quality: review UI pull requests, catch visual regressions, and raise the bar
- Improve performance and accessibility across product surfaces
- Document patterns and tooling so the team can build consistently without you in the loop
**What we're looking for**
- 5+ years building production front-end interfaces, ideally in a design-engineering or design-systems role
- Background in startups or fast-paced product environment
- Strong command of HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern frameworks such as React
- Fluency in Figma and comfort translating design intent
- Solid grasp of data structures, system design, and API design
- Bias toward ownership, curiosity, and delivering simple solutions to complex problems
- Based in SF or willing to relocate
- Value autonomy over process
**Benefits**
- Generous equity grant vested over 4 years
- Flexible work schedule and open vacation policy
- Access to medical, dental, and vision plans
- Wellness and commute stipends
- All the tools you need (laptop, monitor, etc.)
**Interview Process:**
1. Intro conversation with our recruiting team
2. Conversation with a Co-Founder
3. Technical interview
4. Work trial / Onsite
5. Offer
Founded by a team that built at the intersection of payments, APIs, infrastructure, and AI at Coinbase, Vercel, Google, and Amazon Robotics. We've raised a [$4.3 million seed round](https://www.orthogonal.com/blog/orthogonal-raises-4-3-million-seed-round), led by Pantera Capital and backed by Y Combinator, Pioneer Fund, Decasonic, Blast, Outbound, Surreal by Premise, and other strategic investors.
**What you'll do**
You would be one of the first engineering hires, working directly with the founders—You will sit between design and engineering.
- Build and maintain a design system and component library in React and TypeScript
- Turn Figma designs into production-ready UI, with close attention to typography, motion, and accessibility
- Prototype new interactions and product ideas in code, then ship them yourself
- Partner with engineers to keep the front end fast and maintainable
- Own front-end quality: review UI pull requests, catch visual regressions, and raise the bar
- Improve performance and accessibility across product surfaces
- Document patterns and tooling so the team can build consistently without you in the loop
**What we're looking for**
- 5+ years building production front-end interfaces, ideally in a design-engineering or design-systems role
- Background in startups or fast-paced product environment
- Strong command of HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern frameworks such as React
- Fluency in Figma and comfort translating design intent
- Solid grasp of data structures, system design, and API design
- Bias toward ownership, curiosity, and delivering simple solutions to complex problems
- Based in SF or willing to relocate
- Value autonomy over process
**Benefits**
- Generous equity grant vested over 4 years
- Flexible work schedule and open vacation policy
- Access to medical, dental, and vision plans
- Wellness and commute stipends
- All the tools you need (laptop, monitor, etc.)
**Interview Process:**
1. Intro conversation with our recruiting team
2. Conversation with a Co-Founder
3. Technical interview
4. Work trial / Onsite
5. Offer
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