At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of modern frontend architectures using React.
- Company: Join a dynamic enterprise tech organisation building a greenfield Connected Platform.
- Benefits: Competitive contract rates, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on cloud-native solutions and mentoring.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology with real influence on innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in modern frontend systems and deep React expertise.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We’re supporting a large, complex enterprise technology organisation as they build a greenfield Connected Platform that will underpin their digital estate for the next decade. This is a hands-on Principal Engineer role where you’ll set technical direction, lead by example, and help shape modern frontend architecture at scale.
The Opportunity
You’ll join a newly formed product engineering team working on a cloud-native platform that provides a single access point across multiple enterprise systems. The focus is on modern frontend engineering, micro-frontends, event-driven architecture, and real-time data. This is not a legacy rescue job, it’s a from-scratch build, with genuine influence over technology choices and engineering standards.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Acting as a hands-on technical leader within a senior engineering team
- Designing and evolving micro-frontend architectures using React
- Working closely with architecture, product, data and platform teams
- Contributing across the stack where required (GraphQL, .NET, AWS)
- Championing engineering best practice, performance, security and scalability
- Supporting real-time, event-driven systems and highly decoupled services
- Mentoring engineers and raising the technical bar across the team
Tech Environment
- Frontend: React, Micro-frontends, GraphQL
- Cloud: AWS (EKS, ECS, Lambda, MSK, EventBridge, SNS/SQS)
- IaC & DevOps: Terraform, Docker, GitHub Actions
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as a Principal / Lead Engineer in modern frontend systems
- Deep hands-on React experience, ideally at enterprise scale
- Strong understanding of micro-frontends and distributed architectures
- Experience working in cloud-native, AWS-based environments
- Comfortable operating in greenfield, fast-moving product teams
- Confident influencing technical direction without formal line management
IR35: Inside
Duration: 3-6 months+
Seniority level: Not Applicable
Employment type: Contract
Job function: Information Technology
Principal Frontend Developer in Manchester employer: djr
As a leading international organisation, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our investment in digital products and technology, providing ample opportunities for professional development and advancement. With a hybrid working model based in Preston, we offer a flexible environment that balances the benefits of onsite teamwork with the convenience of remote work, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Frontend Developer in Manchester
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at djr or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to djr.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like djr.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like djr that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Frontend Developer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at djr.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at djr and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at djr
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If djr uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
