Frontend Developer – Web & 3D UI

We are an innovative, Vancouver-based startup at the forefront of robotics, AI, and machine vision technologies. Backed by VC funding and recognized as a 2024 BCTIA Growth Award winner, we are on a mission to redefine the future of AI-driven robotic vision systems.  Apera AI helps manufacturers make their factories more flexible and productive. Robots enhanced with Apera’s software have 4D Vision – the ability to see and handle objects with human-like capability. Challenging applications such as bin picking, sorting, packaging, and assembly are now open to fast, precise, and reliable automation. Apera is led by an experienced team from high-growth companies focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

Apera AI is seeking a Frontend Developer to lead the user interface development for Apera Forge, our first-of-its-kind browser-based simulation and development environment for vision-guided robotics (VGR).

Forge enables integrators, automation specialists, and robotics teams to simulate, configure, and validate robotic solutions before deployment—entirely in the browser. Built with React, TypeScript, and Three.js, the platform transforms how vision-guided automation is brought to life in factories and industrial environments.

You’ll take ownership of the Forge frontend—implementing modern UI components, refining 3D scene interactions, and shaping workflows that simplify complex robotic operations for end-users.

Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

Purpose
Forge is redefining how vision-guided robotic systems are developed and deployed. As a Frontend Developer, you’ll shape the interface of a tool used by automation professionals to simulate, configure, and validate robotic solutions—all in the browser. Your work will directly impact how end-users interact with complex automation tasks, making robotics more accessible, efficient, and predictable.

Growth
You’ll stretch your frontend expertise across React, 3D visualization, and simulation tooling. You’ll work closely with product designers, robotics engineers, and backend developers to grow your skills in building performance-driven, user-centric software.

Motivators
You’ll see your features used by integrators and automation professionals solving real production challenges. You’ll collaborate with a cross-functional team to deliver meaningful improvements quickly and contribute to a first-of-its-kind platform helping bring vision-guided robotics into everyday industrial workflows.

Major Objectives

1. Implement and Evolve Forge’s Frontend Interface
   Design and develop React/TypeScript components and workflows that enable users to plan and simulate VGR tasks. Build on top of existing design systems and extend interactions for new use cases.
   Tech: React, TypeScript, TailwindCSS, Radix UI, Zustand
2. Design and Improve 3D Scene Interactions
   Work closely with the 3D simulation team to create intuitive interactions within Forge’s Three.js scene—enabling object selection, manipulation, and contextual tooling.
    Tech:js, WebGL, canvas, raycasting
3. Enhance UX Based on Real-World Use
   Collaborate with product managers and field teams to understand user needs and pain points. Simplify complex tasks through clean, intuitive workflows suited for industrial automation professionals.
   Skills: UX iteration, workflow design, user feedback integration
4. Contribute to Frontend Architecture and Code Quality
   Help define component structures, manage state, and evolve architectural patterns as Forge scales. Maintain performance and consistency while introducing new capabilities.
   Tech: Vite, ESLint, Storybook, CI workflows (GitHub Actions)

Critical Subtasks

• Collaborate with product managers to refine UX flows based on user feedback and product goals
• Design and implement reusable UI components that support scalability and maintainability
• Integrate frontend components with backend APIs and 3D scene data
• Participate in code reviews and technical design sessions
• Work with customer-facing teams to identify friction points and propose interface improvements

Culture and Situation Fit

Forge is a fast-evolving product at the intersection of robotics and web technology. Our team values clarity, iteration, and function over flash. You’ll thrive here if:

• You enjoy designing practical tools for real-world workflows
• You want your work to be used by people solving physical, industrial problems
• You’re energized by shaping the core interaction layer of a category-defining product

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience building frontends with React and TypeScript
• Experience designing and implementing modern, responsive UIs and component systems
• Hands-on experience with 3D scene interaction using Three.js or similar libraries
• Strong understanding of component design, application state, and performance optimization
• Comfort working with cross-functional teams including backend, simulation, and product

Bonus Experience

• Familiarity with industrial automation or robotics workflows
• Experience working on simulation or configuration software
• Exposure to usability testing or design systems at scale
• Python or scripting experience for prototyping or automation
• Familiarity with CI/CD workflows and deployment tooling (e.g., GitHub Actions, Vercel)

Why Join Us?

People are our greatest strength. They are friendly, smart, and driven to build amazing products; we tackle challenges as a team, we are close-knit and scrappy. We also offer competitive total compensation, health benefits, and vacation. Our teams are motivated, talented, hardworking, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy making large impact, solving challenging problems rooted in real-world physics using science, imagination, creativity, and persistence.

What do we offer?

1. A chance to make a difference. People are our greatest strength they are friendly, smart, and driven to build amazing products; we tackle challenges as a team, we are close-knit and scrappy. Our teams are motivated, talented, hardworking and have both an intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial spirit. We enjoy making a large impact, solving challenging problems rooted in real-world robotic vision optimization using science, imagination, creativity, and persistence.
   
   
2. Build your skills. Build your career. We don’t just promise opportunities. We back them with personalized development plans, annual learning budgets, regular individual and team upskilling, and time dedicated to innovation. Come for the mission, stay to master it.
   
   
3. Equity That Empowers: A Rare Opportunity to Own What You Help Build. At Apera AI, equity isn’t just a benefit—it’s a belief system grounded in fairness, unity, and shared success. Every Aperian receives a meaningful ownership stake from day one, because those creating value should share in the rewards. While traditional companies reserve equity for a privileged few, we extend it to all employees. We’ve already gained considerable traction in transforming how manufacturers use AI and robotics. Join a mission-driven team where your ideas matter, your work shapes industries, and your ownership grows with every win. This is your invitation to be part of something rare: a company that shares both purpose and upside.
   
   
4. Straightforward compensation. At Apera AI, we believe that transparency and fairness are key to building a thriving team. For this Frontend Developer role, we offer a competitive base salary range of $100,000 to $130,000 CAD per year.

This range reflects the base salary for a highly qualified candidate. The final offer will depend on a range of factors including your unique skills, experience, contributions to team diversity, and the value you bring to our vision of transforming industrial automation with AI-powered vision systems.