At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform a monolithic JavaScript platform into modern components and collaborate with top engineers.
- Company: Dynamic tech company focused on delivering world-class digital products.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, flexible working, wellbeing budget, and enhanced parental policy.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for learning and development in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a small team to make a real impact in modernising technology.
- Qualifications: Strong full-stack experience with Node.js and API architecture.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: UK-based (flexible home, office, or hybrid working)
Office locations: Newcastle and Leeds
Hub locations: Edinburgh, Manchester, London
About the role
We’re growing our Engineering team to strengthen our ability to deliver world-class digital products for our clients. As a Principal Full Stack JavaScript Engineer, you’ll join a small, highly technical group tackling a complex transformation: breaking down a monolithic JavaScript platform into clearer, modern components. This is an individual contributor role for someone who thrives on problem‑solving, can ramp up quickly, and can collaborate confidently with other strong engineers. You’ll be hands‑on from day one, helping modernise architecture, improve maintainability, and set the foundations for future technology decisions, all while staying pragmatic and delivery‑focused.
What you’ll do
- Break down an existing monolithic system into well‑structured components and services.
- Work closely with senior client engineers, ask the right questions, and influence technical direction through evidence and collaboration.
- Support a move from Vercel‑hosted deployment towards a Google Cloud future, improving deployment and operational readiness.
- Contribute to authentication modernisation by integrating an identity platform rather than maintaining bespoke authentication.
- Deliver value quickly by rapidly understanding the domain, codebase, and priorities.
Who you are
- Strong full‑stack experience, including Node.js and API architecture.
- A pragmatic mindset: you care about quality, but you also deliver outcomes and keep momentum.
- Confident communicator who can hold their own in technical discussions with senior engineers.
- Comfortable working in small, flat teams with little hierarchy and lots of collaboration.
Nice to have
- Experience with Google Cloud (especially identity or auth‑related services).
- Experience with Vercel or modern web deployment platforms.
- Interest or experience in open source communities or open source strategy.
- Exposure to geospatial/GIS/mapping products or highly interactive map UIs.
Benefits
- 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- 5 Impact Days per year to spend on L&D, volunteering or innovation
- Flexible working environment
- Enhanced parental policy
- Annual wellbeing budget + two days of wellbeing
- Mental health support
- Company‑supplied Apple Mac
Ready to apply? Submit your application below. Please note that we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Principal Full Stack JavaScript Engineer in Leeds employer: hedgehog lab
Hedgehog Lab is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in the tech industry. With a focus on employee growth and development, you will have access to cutting-edge technologies and the opportunity to shape data strategies in a fast-paced scale-up environment. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a collaborative atmosphere where your contributions are valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Full Stack JavaScript Engineer in Leeds
✨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 hedgehog lab 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 hedgehog lab.
✨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 hedgehog lab.
✨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 hedgehog lab 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 Full Stack JavaScript Engineer in Leeds
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 hedgehog lab.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at hedgehog lab 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 hedgehog lab
✨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 hedgehog lab 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.
