At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead front end development and mentor engineers while shaping a widely used SaaS platform.
- Company: Established UK tech company transforming the online car buying journey.
- Benefits: Up to £85,000 salary, private healthcare, 25 days holiday, and learning support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a popular platform and enhance your technical leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong React and TypeScript experience, with a knack for mentoring and architecture.
- Other info: Almost fully remote with monthly team meet-ups in Manchester.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 85000 £ per year.
Location: Remote (1 day per month in Manchester)
Salary: Up to £85,000 + benefits
We’re working with a well-established UK technology company that builds software used by thousands of automotive retailers to power the online car buying journey. Their platform connects car buyers, retailers and finance providers, enabling customers to search vehicles, secure finance and complete purchases online or in the showroom. They are now looking for a Principal Front End Engineer to become the most senior front end technical voice in the business.
The Role
This is a hands-on principal engineering role where you will help shape the direction of front end development across a widely used SaaS platform. You’ll work closely with a Tech Lead and Back End Principal, forming a senior technical group responsible for guiding engineering decisions and supporting the wider team. The front end ecosystem has grown organically over time and is made up of several React applications built by different teams. One of the key challenges in the role is helping bring greater consistency and architectural clarity across this environment. Rather than rebuilding everything from scratch, the focus is on pragmatic, incremental improvement while continuing to deliver product features. You’ll also mentor other engineers, act as the go-to person for complex front end problems and help drive improvements in engineering standards.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading front end architectural direction across multiple applications
- Acting as the technical authority for front end development
- Working hands-on with React and TypeScript in the production codebase
- Mentoring and supporting front end engineers across the company
- Improving engineering standards, testing practices and development workflows
- Helping evolve a mixed React ecosystem into a more consistent platform
Tech Environment
Key technologies include:
- React
- TypeScript
- Next.js (used in parts of the platform)
The broader engineering environment includes:
- AWS
- CI/CD pipelines
- Automated testing frameworks
You’ll be working on long-lived product systems rather than short-term project work.
What They’re Looking For
You’ll likely be a Senior, Lead or Principal Front End Engineer who enjoys staying hands-on while influencing the technical direction of a platform. Strong candidates typically have:
- Strong experience with React and TypeScript
- Experience working on complex web applications or SaaS platforms
- Involvement in front end architecture decisions
- Experience mentoring or guiding other engineers
- A pragmatic approach to improving legacy or evolving systems
Engineers from product or platform environments will be a particularly good fit.
Working Pattern
This role is almost fully remote. The team meets once per month in Manchester for collaboration and planning. Candidates should therefore be based within reasonable travelling distance of Manchester.
Package
- Salary up to £85,000
- Strong pension contribution
- Private healthcare
- Life assurance
- Bonus scheme
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Birthday off
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- Learning and development support
If you’re a senior front end engineer looking for hands-on technical leadership, real product ownership and the opportunity to shape a widely used platform, this could be a great next step.
Principal Front End Engineer in Manchester employer: Avanti Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Avanti Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Front End Engineer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work with React and TypeScript. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best front end projects, especially those involving complex web applications. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your React and TypeScript knowledge. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your architectural decisions in past projects. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Front End Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Principal Front End Engineer role. Highlight your experience with React, TypeScript, and any architectural decisions you've made in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've mentored others or improved engineering standards in your past roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with the tech stack mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you’ve applied your knowledge in real-world scenarios, especially with complex web applications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avanti Recruitment
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in React, TypeScript, and Next.js. Brush up on your knowledge of these technologies, as they’ll likely come up during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you've used them in past projects and any architectural decisions you've made.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
Since mentoring is a key part of this role, think of specific examples where you've guided other engineers. Share stories that highlight your ability to support and uplift your team, as this will demonstrate your leadership potential.
✨Prepare for Architectural Discussions
Expect questions about front end architecture and how to improve legacy systems. Think about pragmatic solutions you've implemented in the past and be ready to discuss how you would approach bringing consistency to a mixed React ecosystem.
✨Understand the Company’s Product
Familiarise yourself with the company’s platform and its role in the automotive retail space. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their product will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.