Web Developer in Kilmarnock

• Role
• Web Developer
• Grade & Salary
• Contract Type
• Full Time, Open Ended
• Organisation
• Global Information Services Directorate
• Holiday Entitlement
• 33 days annual leave plus 9 building closed days
• About Our Directorate and Team

The Global Information Services directorate provides a range of services to support, promote and supply information, information skills and infrastructure to support a modern research-intensive university in a global setting.

This straddles academic library provision alongside a range of technical services and systems such as IT and AV services, systems and support for learning & teaching, research & enterprise, and operational effectiveness.

It is an integrated global service, providing services to students, staff, applicants, alumni, and external users across all five campuses.

Purpose of Role

Reporting to the Web Systems Manager, the Web Developer will work with colleagues within the Applications and Data Team, within Global Information Services and across the University to support and develop a range of web systems.

We are looking for a skilled React Web Developer to join our digital team and work on a modern headless CMS frontend powered by Contensis.

You will play a key role in developing and maintaining user-focused web experiences using the Contensis React framework, building scalable frontend solutions, and delivering custom integrations with a range of internal and external systems.

This role is ideal for a developer who enjoys working with modern Java Script frameworks, structured content APIs, and complex integrations in an agile delivery environment.

• Summary Of Key Duties And Responsibilities
• Develop and maintain frontend web applications using React and the Contensis React framework on the www. hw. ac. uk websites.
• Build and manage headless CMS-driven interfaces using Contensis.
• Work extensively with Node. js, Type Script, JSON, and RESTful APIs.
• Implement custom integrations between the website and external systems, including programme management and research systems.
• Collaborate with designers and content teams to deliver well-structured, accessible, and performant user interfaces.
• Manage source code using Git Lab, following best practices for branching, code reviews, etc.
• Contribute to agile delivery using Jira, participating in sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• Ensure high standards of code quality, performance, security, and accessibility.
• Keep up to date with and investigate relevant technologies and approaches that could enhance the University's software or working practices.
• Enhance product quality through activities such as pairing, mentoring, coaching, code review, and identifying development needs and opportunities.
• Liaise with third‑party developers where a decision has been made to outsource particular development tasks, ensuring code quality is maintained and technical guidelines are followed.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

These are the criteria on which the short‑listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

• A degree in Computer Science (or related discipline) or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven relevant experience of working as a web developer on complex software systems, with basic understanding of relevant theory (Agile development, full dev lifecycle, from requirements gathering through testing to deployment).
• Strong commercial experience with React and developing frontend applications using Visual Studio.
• Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, Java Script, and solid experience with Node. js, Type Script, JSON, and API‑driven architectures.
• Experience working with CMS platforms, ideally headless.
• Proficiency with Git‑based workflows, ideally using Git Lab.
• Experience working within agile project management frameworks (Scrum/Kanban) using tools such as Jira.
• Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, understand wider business context, willingness and ability to help end users.

Desirable

• Experience of working in Higher Education.
• Experience reviewing others' code and making constructive suggestions for improvement.
• Experience mentoring other developers.
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Experience integrating with research, data, or enterprise systems.
• Familiarity with cloud-hosted frontend architectures.
• Equal Opportunities

Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to creating an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.

Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot‑Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.

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