From ~5 years of Japan frontend work to a senior engineer role in Vancouver
Self-taught Japan frontend engineer (3 startups, ~5 years) who reached a senior frontend role in Vancouver via college/co-op, including an Amazon onsite along the way.
シニアフロントエンドエンジニア · Vancouver
Profile
Kohei is a senior frontend engineer based in Vancouver. He entered tech without a university degree (junior-high completion stated), taught himself programming, and built about five years of frontend experience in Japan before studying in Canada.
Current role
Senior frontend engineer in Vancouver (employer name not stated). During the post-college job search he also completed an Amazon onsite interview.
Japan experience
Prior experience as a frontend engineer. Worked at three Japanese startups, mainly frontend with about one year of backend; all web-focused. First role (around age 23, circa 2014 at that company) was at a mobile social-game firm where he pushed into web/client work and contracted web projects. Two subsequent roles were also web frontend. Overall about five years of Japan engineering experience before departure. Last employer had a U.S. branch, which sparked overseas interest; he also helped with JSConf JP and met international speakers. English with U.S. colleagues was limited and often supported by interpreters.
Path to Canada / North America
Chose Canada after ruling out the U.S. (visa difficulty), applying unsuccessfully for a U.K. working holiday, and comparing Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia. Attended a college co-op path (CICCC referenced); used the study period for portfolio work (including a Flutter app), freelance technical advising for a Japanese company, travel, and interview prep (algorithms and storytelling in English rather than interview books). Not career-change study—he already had substantial experience.
Outcome
Secured a rare senior-level frontend role in Canada after college. Job-search duration and offer month are not stated.
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning (partners / employers). Original interview (Japanese)