Principal Front End (React) Engineer

We’re a sports media network, focused on building and nurturing a portfolio of highly engaged and connected communities of sports fans and bettors to create value for our partners. We empower sports fans with real-time intelligence, premium independent content, and unique tools so they can compete in the sports betting game. FairPlay Sports Media is a collection of market leading brands including oddschecker, WhoScored, SuperScommesse, FairPlay Technologies and Confido. In addition, FairPlay has a vast network across the sports tech and media industries through our partnerships including Reach, Gazzetta dello Sport, DAZN, SportsGrid and The Jockey Club amongst others. iGaming is one of the fastest-growing and most technologically innovative sectors, and we’re on top of our game, powered by market-leading tech and driven by brilliant people. We champion diversity and operate an open and inclusive culture as well as being focused, fast-paced, and always making sure to have fun along the way. So why not join us at FairPlay and be part of something bigger…

What we are looking for:

We are seeking a seasoned Principal React Engineer to lead the development of high-performance, scalable, and user-centric web applications. This role demands a blend of hands-on coding expertise, architectural acumen, and leadership capabilities. You will be instrumental in setting technical direction, mentoring team members, and ensuring the delivery of top-tier frontend solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architectural Leadership: Design and implement robust frontend architectures using React.js, ensuring scalability and maintainability.
• Component Development: Develop and maintain reusable components and libraries to streamline development processes.
• Performance Optimization: Continuously monitor and enhance application performance, ensuring optimal load times and responsiveness.
• Collaboration: Work closely with UX/UI designers, backend engineers, and product managers to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior developers, encouraging a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Code Quality: Enforce best practices in code quality, testing, and documentation.
• Innovation: Stay up to date on emerging technologies and advocate for their adoption when beneficial to the project.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum of 7 years in frontend development, with at least 3 years in a leadership or principal role.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in React.js and its core principles, including state management (e.g., Redux, Context API), hooks, and lifecycle methods.
• Testing: Proficiency in testing frameworks such as Jest, React Testing Library, and end-to-end testing tools.
• Build Tools: Familiarity with modern build pipelines and tools.
• Version Control: Experience with Git and collaborative workflows.
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Flexibility: Expected to be in the office 1-2 days a month.

Technical Expectations:

• Expert-level proficiency in JavaScript, with an in-depth understanding of the JavaScript module system, including extensive knowledge of CommonJS and ES Modules, and how they operate within both Node.js and browser environments.
• Extensive experience developing complex applications using React.js, demonstrating detailed knowledge of React’s rendering lifecycle, server-side rendering (SSR), hydration processes, and optimisation strategies.
• Proven expertise in Node.js, particularly in creating scalable and performant backend services, with a thorough understanding of asynchronous programming patterns, event-loop mechanics, and Node.js internals.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience using modern front-end build tools and bundlers (Webpack, Rollup, Vite).
• Comprehensive experience with modern testing tools and frameworks, such as Jest, Vitest, React Testing Library, Playwright, or Cypress, including writing robust unit, integration, and end-to-end tests, as well as establishing best practices for test coverage and continuous integration pipelines.
• Significant experience in optimising application performance, specifically focused on frontend and SSR performance improvements through effective use of code-splitting, hydration strategies, caching, and state management solutions.
• Familiarity and practical experience with current JavaScript language features (ES2020+) and tooling ecosystems (Babel, TypeScript).
• Proven ability to guide technical decision-making, mentor engineering teams, conduct rigorous code reviews, and uphold high standards for code quality, maintainability, and scalability.

What you’ll get back from us:

Alongside being challenged daily and a real interest in your development, you will also receive:

• Subsidized Sky HD package, broadband and discounted sky talk
• Free Puregym membership
• Free healthcare with Bupa, life assurance and income protection
• Pension scheme with up to 9% contribution from the company
• £1,000 training fund each financial year, to spend on your professional development
• Unlimited holiday plan