At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a product team to build a next-gen energy modelling platform with hands-on coding.
- Company: Join hedgehog lab, a dynamic product consultancy focused on impactful solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, flexible working, and a wellbeing budget.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a high-visibility product while enjoying autonomy and leadership.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in software engineering, especially with React and TypeScript.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: UK, with flexible home, office, or hybrid working
What you'll do
You will act as the technical lead for a small, focused product team building a next-generation energy modelling platform. You will guide architectural decisions, support engineers day-to-day, and help the team deliver high-quality features at pace. In this role, you will:
- Lead technical direction, making pragmatic architectural decisions that balance rapid progress with long-term maintainability.
- Work hands‑on across the stack to turn prototypes and product flows into robust, production‑ready software.
- Partner with designers, product managers and data specialists to refine requirements and translate complex concepts into workable solutions.
- Provide mentorship and support to other engineers through pairing, code reviews and clear technical guidance.
Why this role
This is a key role within a strategic product team working on a complex, high‑visibility platform. You will have real influence over how the product is built and the engineering standards it is built on. Own the technical approach for a new product as it moves from prototype to full‑scale build. Work in a modern, cross‑functional environment with autonomy and the opportunity to take on technical leadership. Solve interesting challenges that blend UI, business logic, modelling and AI‑driven behaviour. Enjoy the stability of a permanent role while contributing to a long‑term, impactful product initiative.
Who is hedgehog lab
We’re an outcome‑driven product consultancy where product, design and research sit side by side. You’ll join a team that values curiosity, collaboration and impact, building products that truly matter.
hedgehog lab benefits
- 28 days holidays + bank holidays
- 5 Impact Days per year to spend on L&D, volunteering or innovation
- Flexible working environment
- Annual wellbeing budget + two days of wellbeing leave
- Mental health support
- A company supplied Apple Mac
Our tech stack
- Front‑end: React, Next.js, TypeScript
- Backend: Python, PHP
- Cloud and infrastructure: AWS
What we are looking for
- Significant experience as a senior or lead engineer
- Strong background with React and TypeScript
Ready to apply? Submit your application below. Please note that we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Lead Front End Software Engineer in Manchester employer: hedgehog lab
Hedgehog Lab is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a GCP Data Architect to thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and the chance to lead transformative projects in a dynamic online marketplace environment. Our commitment to cost-savvy solutions and self-service analytics empowers our team members to make impactful contributions while enjoying a supportive work atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Front End Software Engineer 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 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 Lead Front End Software Engineer 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 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.