Application Guide
How to Apply for Front End Engineer (Spain, UK, Portugal)
at Vizzuality
🏢 About Vizzuality
Vizzuality is unique in its mission-driven approach, focusing exclusively on creating data-driven tools that tackle pressing global issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality. Unlike typical tech companies, they combine scientific expertise with engineering to build applications that empower real-world change, making it an ideal workplace for those wanting their technical skills to have meaningful impact.
About This Role
This Front End Engineer role involves developing data visualization tools and web applications from scratch, with a strong emphasis on mapping and interactive visualizations using libraries like Mapbox and D3.js. You'll work autonomously to translate complex project requirements into technical solutions while collaborating with scientists and designers, directly contributing to tools that address critical environmental and social challenges.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a stand-up meeting to coordinate with remote team members across the UK, Spain, and Portugal, followed by coding sessions to implement new features for a data visualization tool using ReactJS and Mapbox. You'd collaborate with scientists to refine requirements, review pull requests from junior engineers, and write tests with Cypress to ensure application reliability, all while contributing to projects that aim to mitigate climate change or support biodiversity.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Vizzuality Is Looking For
- Has hands-on experience with ReactJS/TypeScript, modern CSS, and state management, plus specific expertise in web mapping (Mapbox/ArcGIS) and data visualization libraries (D3.js/Three.js).
- Demonstrates experience with modern front-end frameworks like Next.js and testing tools such as Cypress or Playwright, showing a commitment to code quality and CI/CD practices.
- Exhibits a global perspective and collaborative mindset, with proven ability to work in cross-functional teams (engineers, designers, scientists) and mentor junior developers.
- Shows passion for Vizzuality's mission, with examples of previous work or interest in climate change, biodiversity, or social inequality projects.
📝 Tips for Applying to Vizzuality
Highlight specific projects where you used Mapbox, D3.js, or Three.js for data visualization, especially if related to environmental or social data.
Include examples of working with REST APIs and testing frameworks like Cypress or Jest in your portfolio or resume, emphasizing quality assurance practices.
Tailor your application to show how your technical skills align with Vizzuality's mission—mention any volunteer work, open-source projects, or previous roles focused on social or environmental impact.
Demonstrate your experience with remote collaboration and autonomous work, as this is a remote role in a distributed team across Spain, UK, and Portugal.
If you have experience with Next.js or similar frameworks, detail how you've used them in production environments, as this is a key requirement for the role.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why Vizzuality's mission resonates with you and how your skills in front-end development can contribute to tools addressing climate change or inequality.", 'Provide specific examples of past projects using ReactJS/TypeScript with mapping or data visualization libraries, highlighting your ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.', 'Describe your experience in collaborative, cross-functional teams, emphasizing any work with scientists or designers, and your ability to mentor junior engineers.', 'Mention your familiarity with testing tools (e.g., Cypress) and CI/CD practices, showing your commitment to building reliable, high-quality applications.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Vizzuality's project portfolio (e.g., on their website or GitHub) to understand the types of data-driven tools they build, such as those for climate monitoring or biodiversity mapping.
- → Research the company's team structure and culture, noting their emphasis on cross-functional collaboration between engineers, designers, and scientists.
- → Look into their tech stack and open-source contributions, focusing on their use of React, TypeScript, Mapbox, and D3.js to tailor your technical examples.
- → Review their blog or case studies to grasp how they address specific challenges like inequality or climate change, helping you align your application with their goals.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning Vizzuality's mission or specific tech stack (e.g., failing to highlight experience with Mapbox or D3.js).
- Overemphasizing backend or unrelated skills without showcasing front-end expertise in ReactJS/TypeScript, responsive design, or data visualization libraries.
- Neglecting to provide examples of collaborative work or mentorship, as this role requires guiding junior profiles and working closely with diverse teams.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!