Frontend Developer, Stories

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Frontend Developer, Stories

Job type

Full time

Location

Singapore or similar timezone

Job duration

2 years renewable

Kontinentalist is hiring a Front-End Developer for Stories to build the interactive and visual experiences that make our data journalism outstanding. This is a technical role with a strong editorial orientation as the developer is not building products or maintaining infrastructure, but making stories work on screen in ways that are immersive, accessible, and engaging digital experiences. This position will be within the Experiment and Research team, working closely with writers, designers, and data storytellers to bring stories to life across our publication and for our studio clients and partners. The Frontend Developer will report to the Editorial Lead or the E&R co-lead and should preferably be based in Singapore, but remote positions within a similar timezone is acceptable.

About Kontinentalist

Kontinentalist is a data storytelling studio and web publication committed to growing Asia’s voice in global conversations. Our award-winning digital stories blend data visualisation, narrative, design, and code, helping our clients and non-profit partners communicate data in engaging and memorable ways. Passionate about empowering Asia’s data storytellers and helping them find belonging with one another, we create educational content (workshops, talks, social media) as well as opportunities and supportive communities for data storytelling professionals and enthusiasts in the region.

Responsibilities

Build interactive data experiences such as scrollytelling features, dashboards, visual essays, and experimental formats that challenge traditional storytelling models.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams (designers, researchers) to prototype and develop ideas at various fidelities to ensure accessibility, responsiveness, and delight.

Translate datasets into engaging, web-based visualizations using modern web technologies and formats

Stay on top of trends in creative coding, data journalism, and immersive web technologies - and bring fresh ideas to the table. Learn to use relevant tech stacks and tools for storytelling like Mapbox, Flourish, Scrollama.js and others where applicable.

Push boundaries in how people interact with data through code-driven experimentation, animation, and storytelling.

Collaborate closely with design and editorial teams to define feature specifications for stories and client projects, giving feedback on the feasibility of these features and ideas within given scopes and timelines

Participate in code and design reviews to maintain high development standards

Responsible for debugging and maintaining code from conception to post-deployment

Other projects and duties as assigned

What we look out for

3 to 5 years of experience building front-end interactive experiences, digital narratives, or data visualizations in a newsroom, studio, agency, or product context.

High proficiency and confidence around front-end code languages. Proven experience shipping production data visualizations with D3.js from scratch (not templated or no-code tools), and is able to show a portfolio of bespoke, non-trivial charts or scrollytelling pieces.

Familiarity with working in highly collaborative environments, especially with colleagues from significantly different skillsets. Especially experience working directly with non-technical collaborators (writers, editors, researchers) to shape feature scope and feasibility.

Solutions-oriented, willing to experiment and prototype fast to assess feasibility of ideas with the editorial team.

Meticulous attention to design detail, with a strong instinct for responsive design, and able to faithfully translate intricate design specs into pixel-considered builds that hold up across breakpoints and devices.

Strong initiative and ability to work and learn independently, and stay disciplined to set deadlines.

Deep desire for learning and a can-do attitude, coupled with open-mindedness and a willingness to offer and receive criticism.

Knowledge or interest in decolonial and feminist methodologies and frameworks, and how to put them into practice.

Sensitivity to language, especially around complex ideas written for casual readers.

A good understanding of the state of current affairs in the Asian region, especially with regards to topics concerning tech, climate change, social justice, infrastructural developments, and so on.

Core Competencies

Advanced skills in JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML5, and CSS3.

Strong experience with Vue 3, Nuxt 3, and composables. Familiarity with Svelte is a plus.

Hands-on experience with low-level charting libraries such as D3.js, and mapping libraries such as Mapbox, with openness to pick up other visualization, animation, or scrollytelling libraries (e.g. Three.js, GSAP, Scrollama.js) as individual stories demand.

Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Docker, GitLab CI/CD, and Unix shell commands.

Experience deploying and maintaining static front-end builds via AWS (S3, CloudFront).

Strong knowledge of accessibility and usability principles.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by sending in their resume and cover letter to hello@kontinentalist.com. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to perform an assessment test.

Application closes on 30 July 2026