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A few hypotheses:
* FE engineering has gotten a bad rap over the past years ([insert joke about web dev])
* Most companies don't have interesting FE work (add a button?)
Curious if others have had similar problems, or if my personal observations don't properly represent the true state of things
The job title senior front end is too broad IMO. Since most of the time at early 2000, if we're talking about front end we'll usually deal with complex css, design, and ui/ux. What's worse is usually that skillset is not in align with react at all, since react is more into programming than design.
IMO, it's easier (and more accurate) to search for fullstack nodejs programmer who also know react (or vue, etc).
It's hard to give more advice without seeing something like a job posting. I will say, don't limit yourself by framework (but DO say what you use, if it's not greenfield). I prefer Vue but I've built sites/apps in Angular and I have no doubt I could pick up React if I needed to. A "real" senior FE developer isn't going to balk at any of the big 3 frameworks (or minor ones but be ready to explain why you picked something other than Angular/React/Vue).
The real trick is to find those who use that tech in new and interesting ways. Those who push the envelope.
Recently I went through a generic Sr FE interview at Google (still waiting to find out if I've been ghosted after). There were 5 or 6 rounds, and I feel I totally bombed one of them, excelled at one, and did okay at the others. I think that's acceptable at this level. I went through a "Performance Engineer" interview loop at another company, and the rounds were all specific to the role. I had a much better experience in that interview.
Additionally, it could be your job posting not being enticing enough to get hits. I'm a senior FE dev and I saw some pretty bad job postings (hostile programming assessments, unpaid take home assignments, a circus of interviewing rounds). If you don't have your salary listed, that could be the issue too.
I can't speak for everyone here, but I'll take 2nd or 3rd best in compensation if the interviewing process isn't a 3-ring circus. ie, I will actively drop out to protect my time from bad interview pipelines.
My last two gigs were less than 2 hours of total conversation before a contract got signed, as an anecdote. Hell, I had one that was a 23 minute phonecall (it was awesome!). Some people just know how to hire someone after they look at a good LinkedIn or GitHub profile.
Just my 2 cents. As a selfish plug, you could talk to freelancers who have the expertise you need so stuff gets done in the meantime. It's not ideal, but at least you'd have the help...