Back to all jobs

Katana are hiring a

Senior Frontend UX Engineer

About Katana

The Katana Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating the best DeFi experience for all types of users. Incubated by Polygon Labs and GSR, Katana Network is a purpose-built DeFi chain that aligns applications, users, and chain revenue to deliver deep liquidity and sustainable high yields. The network uses innovative mechanisms including VaultBridge, Chain-Owned Liquidity, and concentrated protocol deployment to maximize value for active users rather than extracting it. By taking an opinionated approach to DeFi infrastructure, Katana enables superior capital efficiency and user experience compared to traditional blockchain designs.

Your Role

Do you thrive at the intersection of design, code, and human psychology? At Katana Network, we’re building more than a DeFi L2 chain - we’re crafting an experience that keeps both web2 and web3 users engaged, delighted, and coming back for more.

As a senior frontend UX engineer, you’ll be the guardian of polish, flow, and usability across the Katana Network application. You won’t just make things “work” - you’ll make them sing. From reimagining onboarding to refining complex yield-tracking dashboards, your mission is to turn functional DeFi workflows into intuitive, gamified journeys that enhance user engagement and foster long-term usage.

This is not a greenfield role. Instead, you’ll be leveling up existing experiences, integrating collaboratively built modules like quests and leaderboards, and ensuring every interaction feels cohesive, elegant, and performance-optimized. You’ll collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and product teams to deliver frontends that match the Katana Network ambition: powerful, fluid, and unforgettable.

Your Responsibilities

  • Elevate onboarding flows: Design smooth, intuitive entry points with clear loading states, error handling, and user feedback.
  • Craft cohesion: Develop and maintain a scalable design system and reusable frontend component library.
  • Delight through detail: Build animations, transitions, and micro-interactions that reduce friction and guide user attention.
  • Simplify the complex: Restructure information hierarchies across intricate DeFi workflows - yield tracking, portfolio management, bridging, and more.
  • Own integrations: Refine and seamlessly embed externally built modules (e.g. quests, leaderboards, gamified elements) into the main app experience.
  • Champion accessibility: Ensure responsive, inclusive, and mobile-friendly experiences that welcome every user.

What You'll Need

  • 4+ years of frontend engineering experience, with at least 2 years focused on DeFi product interfaces.
  • Expert proficiency in React and Next.js, with a sharp eye for performance and UX.
  • Mastery of CSS/SCSS and animation libraries (Framer Motion, React Spring, or similar).
  • Experience building and maintaining design systems and accessible component libraries.
  • Familiarity with DeFi-specific patterns (wallet flows, governance, bridging, analytics dashboards).
  • Strong grasp of responsive design and performance tuning in data-heavy environments.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in fintech or gaming - ideally where gamification strategies drove measurable growth.
  • Portfolio that showcases your UX/UI craftsmanship, with before-and-after examples of refinements.
  • Hands-on experience with user testing and analytics-informed iteration.
  • Comfort designing around real-time data streams and complex loading states.
  • A passion for blending product utility with moments of delight.
  • Experience integrating web3 functionality into frontend applications using libraries such as viem, wagmi, or similar.

Katana Perks

  • Remote first global workforce
  • Industry leading Medical, Dental and Vision health insurance
  • Company matching 401k with 3% match
  • $1,500 Home Office Set Up Allowance (life-time max)
  • $200 Annual Book Allowance Program
  • $75 Monthly internet or phone reimbursement
  • Flexible Time Off
  • 1 company wide wellness Friday day off per quarter
  • Company issued laptop
  • Egg freezing, mental health, and employee wellness benefits
  • In certain countries medical, dental and vision is fully covered for employees & their dependents. This is country and plan specific.
  • 401k is for United States employees only

Katana is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. Katana is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process and applicants with a disability may request to be accommodated throughout the recruitment process. We will work with all applicants to accommodate their individual accessibility needs.

If you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch. We'd love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.