Staff Software Engineer

Staff Software Engineer

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Cornerstone VC

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team of React developers and create innovative legal tech solutions.
  • Company: Join Definely, a fast-growing LegalTech startup backed by industry giants.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work, and generous time off.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the legal field with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in React development and proven leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent growth opportunities and top-tier training.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Location: London

Employment Type: Full time

Location Type: Hybrid

Department: Technology

The role:

Following our recent $30M Series B funding, we are expanding the team to accelerate development of our legal technology products that integrate with Microsoft products through Office.js. We are looking for a React Team Lead to guide 2 mid-senior React developers who will look to you for architectural guidance and technical direction. As the technical side of the product Triad, your technical decisions will directly shape product direction.

Key responsibilities:

  • Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead and inspire a team of React developers, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing is valued and encouraged. Mentor team members, helping them grow their skills and advance their careers. Promote best practices and maintain high code quality standards across the team.
  • Technical Excellence: Architect and develop sophisticated React applications that integrate with Microsoft Word, M365, Word Online, etc. using Office.js. Write clean, efficient, and maintainable code. Drive technical decisions and ensure scalable, performant solutions. Think outside of the box to workaround any OfficeJS limitations.
  • Product Development: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative features to life. Create exceptional user interfaces that prioritise user experience and accessibility. Continuously optimise application performance and responsiveness.
  • Quality & Documentation: Establish robust testing and debugging processes to ensure high-quality, reliable software. Maintain comprehensive documentation for code, APIs, and system architecture. Implement security best practices to protect user data and ensure system integrity.
  • Problem Solving & Innovation: Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges. Contribute to architectural discussions and drive the evolution of our tech stack. Improve developer productivity through tooling, automation, and AI-assisted coding.

About you:

  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on, product-focused experience with React development.
  • Proven leadership experience in software development teams.
  • Expert-level proficiency in React, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and modern web technologies.
  • Strong experience with Microsoft Office integration, particularly Office.js and Word add-ins.
  • Experience with agentic coding assistants such as Claude Code.
  • Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while providing clear direction to others.
  • Extensive experience working effectively in remote environments.
  • Passion for knowledge sharing and helping team members grow.
  • Know how to optimise React apps (prevent useless re-rendering, memoisation, code splitting etc).
  • Strong grasp of Git, version control best practices, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, agile environment.

Nice to have:

  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Add-in guidelines and Office Store submission processes.
  • Background in LegalTech or professional services software.
  • Previous experience working with in-browser text editors, especially if you were part of optimisation efforts to make the experience snappier.
  • Experience in product-focused or startup environments.
  • Exposure to other AI-powered developer tools and workflows.

About Definely:

At Definely, we’re on a mission to simplify the way legal professionals access and understand complex information in legal documents. Trusted by a global community of customers, our LegalTech solutions integrate seamlessly into lawyers' daily workflows, making it easier to draft, review and navigate even the most complex contracts. Our products provide instant access to essential information, enabling legal teams to review clauses and provisions in context, reduce risk and work more efficiently – all without disrupting their flow. At Definely, we’re dedicated to solving real challenges faced by legal professionals. Joining Definely means becoming part of a forward-thinking, collaborative team that prioritises innovation and people. We create a supportive environment driven by a shared commitment to connection, growth and success. Recognised in the top 25 of Deloitte's prestigious UK Technology Fast50 in 2023 and backed by Microsoft, Google and Octopus Ventures, we’re trusted by leading law firms and in-house legal teams, including A&O Shearman, Dentons, Deloitte, and Barclays, to streamline their workflows and mitigate risks.

What we offer:

  • Competitive Salary: We offer a highly competitive salary that reflects your skills, experience, and contributions.
  • Impact & Growth: Join a fast-growing startup where your ideas matter; experiment, innovate, and see your work come to life.
  • High-Performance Culture: Work in a truly meritocratic environment alongside ambitious, driven professionals who push each other to excel.
  • Prestigious Partnerships: Collaborate with some of the world’s top law firms, financial institutions, and multinational corporations.
  • Prime London Location & Hybrid Flexibility: Enjoy a vibrant office in the heart of Aldgate with the option to work in a hybrid environment. We tend to come into the office 2-3 times a week, although you can come in more!
  • Ongoing Learning & Development: Access top-tier training, mentorship, and continuous support to advance your career.
  • Time Off: Enjoy 25 days of holiday per year, plus UK bank holidays, to recharge and unwind.
  • Pension Plan: Secure your future with our competitive pension scheme.
  • Private Healthcare: Access to Vitality healthcare, including dental and optical.
  • Flexible Working: Work in a way that suits your lifestyle, with the freedom to balance professional and personal priorities.
  • Enhanced Parental Leave: We support working parents with generous parental leave policies that go far beyond statutory requirements.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme: Save on a new bike and accessories while promoting a healthier, more sustainable commute.
  • Workplace Nursery Scheme: Saving working parents lots of money through our salary sacrifice scheme!
  • Top-Quality Equipment: Get the tools you need to perform at your best, from cutting-edge tech to ergonomic office setups.

Staff Software Engineer employer: Cornerstone VC

At Definely, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance culture and prioritises employee growth. Our vibrant London office offers a hybrid working environment, competitive salaries, and extensive benefits, including ongoing learning opportunities and generous parental leave policies. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the LegalTech space while collaborating with top-tier professionals and prestigious partners.
Cornerstone VC

Contact Detail:

Cornerstone VC Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Staff Software Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work at Definely or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the hiring process.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your React skills and understanding how they integrate with Microsoft products. We want to see your technical prowess shine, so be ready to showcase your problem-solving abilities!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just talk about your past experiences; share specific examples of how you’ve led teams and mentored others. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and elevate their teammates!

✨Tip Number 4

Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our innovative team at Definely.

We think you need these skills to ace Staff Software Engineer

React
Team Leadership
Mentorship
Architectural Guidance
Office.js
TypeScript
JavaScript
HTML
CSS
Microsoft Office Integration
Problem-Solving
Code Quality Standards
Performance Optimisation
Git
CI/CD Pipelines

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Staff Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with React, TypeScript, and Microsoft Office integration, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Show Off Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've mentored others or led projects in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and guide their teams!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the good stuff!

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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and you’ll be all set!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cornerstone VC

✨Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in React, TypeScript, and Office.js. Brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft Office integration and be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar challenges in the past. This will show that you can hit the ground running!

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've mentored others and fostered collaboration in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your guidance led to improved performance or innovative solutions.

✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions

Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Think through some complex problems you've solved before, especially those related to React applications or Office.js limitations. Be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to resolve them.

✨Emphasise Your Passion for Innovation

Definely values creativity and forward-thinking. Share your ideas on how to improve developer productivity or enhance user experience in legal tech. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to driving the product's success.

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