At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and enhance our innovative auction platform using modern tech.
- Company: Join Wilsons Auctions, the largest independent auction house in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, extra holidays, mental health support, and career advancement opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a friendly, inclusive environment with direct access to decision-makers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a cutting-edge platform while collaborating with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software development with TypeScript, Node.js, and React/Next.js experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location
On site / Mallusk Rd, Newtownabbey BT36 4PP, UK job type
Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector
- IT | Other
- Annual Salary range: from £ 70,000.00 to £ 70,000.00
Wilsons Auctions is the largest independently owned auction house operating across the UK and Ireland.
With a network of 10 centres, we continue to grow and are currently seeking to fill the exciting role of Senior Software Engineer.
This role can be based at our regional offices in Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, or Dublin.
About the role
Gavel is our enterprise-grade, end-to-end auction platform that powers both internal operations and the public-facing auction website.
It has been built as a modern Type Script solution using a Node. js backend API with Nest JS, a React administrative portal, and a Next. js customer-facing website.
The product is hosted on a contemporary AWS cloud architecture using infrastructure as code via AWS CDK, with scalable services, managed data storage, content delivery, real-time capabilities and observability built in.
You’ll be responsible for ongoing development, bug fixes and iterative enhancements across the API, admin portal and customer website, while continuing to evolve the platform using current engineering practices and AI-enabled delivery methods.
Collaboration & knowledge transfer (first phase)
Initially, you will work in close partnership with our third-party supplier that currently supports and contributes to the Gavel platform’s development.
You will also establish hardware, software and processes within Wilsons Auctions to allow us to operate independently of our current supplier.
This collaboration will continues until the internal team has acquired sufficient system knowledge to take full ownership.
You’ll help facilitate structured knowledge transfer, align ways of working, and progressively reduce external dependency.
Key responsibilities
- Deliver feature improvements, new features and bug fixes across the Gavel monorepo, including the Node. js/Nest JS backend API, React admin portal and Next. js public website, with a focus on reliability, accessibility, performance and maintainability.
- Maintain and evolve the backend API, developed using Node. js, Nest JS and Type ORM, alongside the Aurora My SQL Serverless v2 schema and migrations; ensure data integrity, robust API design and query performance at scale.
- Enhance the Next. js website for SEO, Core Web Vitals and fast content delivery using Cloud Front and optimised media pipelines.
- Build real-time auction capabilities (e. g., Socket. IO or App Sync) and maintain robust search experiences via Open Search.
- Own integrations end-to-end: implement, monitor and harden connections with Reapit, CAP HPI, Experian, Cartel, Authi Pay, Prommt, Next Gear, Impel, AIB, HMRC VAT Lookup, Google Places, Barcode Lookup, Credas, AWS Rekognition, AWS SES, and Campaign Manager (among others).
- Operate what you build: instrument, monitor and tune services using Cloud Watch, optimisation in Open Search, and caching via Elasti Cache/Redis.
- Contribute to CI/CD and Ia C: write automated tests, maintain pipelines (Git Lab, Code Build/Code Deploy), and update infrastructure through AWS CDK.
- Champion security: apply best practices around Cognito (incl. M365 federation), IAM least-privilege, encryption with KMS, WAF, secrets management and auditable changes.
- Apply AI Product Development Lifecycle (AI PDLC) best practices for future product development, using Claude Code to support structured requirements analysis, solution design, implementation, automated testing, code review, documentation and safe release planning.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Ops and Support to triage issues, scope work, and deliver incremental value safely and predictably.
- Technical environment
- Data & messaging: Aurora My SQL Serverless v2 (RDS), Type ORM migrations, Elasti Cache/Redis, Bull queues.
- Search & real-time: Open Search; Socket. IO and AWS App Sync for live updates and bidding.
- Auth & security: AWS Cognito (incl. M365 federation), IAM, KMS, WAF, Secrets Manager.
- CI/CD, Ia C & AI-enabled delivery: Git Lab CI, Code Build/Code Deploy, AWS CDK (Type Script), Claude Code and AI PDLC practices for planning, coding, testing, review and documentation.
Skills & Experience
- Must-have
- 5+ years of proven experience with Type Script services, Node. js/Nest JS backend APIs and modern React/Next. js front-ends.
- Strong practical experience using AI-assisted development workflows, ideally including Claude Code, with the discipline to apply AI PDLC best practices across analysis, implementation, testing, review and documentation.
- Strong My SQL fundamentals (schema design, indexing, performance) and ORM migrations (Type ORM).
- Production experience on AWS (S3, Cloud Front, EC2/ECS, RDS/Aurora, Elasti Cache, Cognito) and Ia C (CDK).
- Integrating third-party APIs (REST/SOAP), webhooks and payment/KYC flows.
- Testing mindset (unit, integration, E2E) and CI/CD automation.
- Security awareness (MFA, JWT, sanitisation, least privilege).
- Nice-to-have
- Real-time systems (Socket. IO, App Sync) and eventing patterns for high-traffic auctions.
- Search relevance and indexing pipelines (Open Search).
- Experience with the Acorn ecosystem.
- SEO and web-vitals optimisation for Next. js at scale.
- How we work
- Environments: Production, Staging, UAT, Test; non-prod is cost-optimised (right-sized services, schedules).
- Observability: Cloud Watch dashboards & alerts; optional X-Ray for traces.
- Modern cloud hosting: the platform is deployed on current AWS managed services with infrastructure defined through AWS CDK, supporting scalability, secure release processes, resilient content delivery and cost-optimised non-production environments.
- Security by design: VPC isolation, WAF, KMS encryption at rest/in transit, Secrets Manager; comprehensive audit trails.
- Collaboration with supplier: embedded ways of working, shared backlogs, code reviews and documentation focused on handover readiness (knowledge-capture checklists, run-books).
- AI PDLC going forward: future Gavel development will use Claude Code as part of a controlled AI-assisted engineering process, with human review, traceable decisions, automated testing, security checks and documentation embedded throughout the delivery lifecycle.
- Equal opportunities
At Wilsons Auctions, we embrace diversity and equal opportunity.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, friendly workplace that values the unique skills and perspectives each individual brings.
Why work at Wilsons Auctions?
Wilsons Auctions is committed to providing first-rate sales and services to both buyers and sellers through a professional and personal approach, backed by the latest technological advances and industry trends.
The business is a unique example of local owner managed success at scale in the auction industry.
You will have the opportunity to directly shape the future of the business with direct access to key decision makers and a flat approval process for good ideas.
- Additional holidays based on length of service
- Opportunity for advancements
- Mental health first aid access
- Employee recognition programme
- Length of service bonus
- Retirement bonus
- Full uniform provided
- Paid eye examinations
Learn more about Wilsons Auctions.
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:30pm
Wilsons Auctions reserves the right to apply desirable criteria for shortlisting purposes in the event of high volume of applications.
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Senior Software Developer in Newtownabbey employer: Hollybank Trustees Ltd
Hollybank Trustees Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Rough Hills, England, where collaboration and client-focused strategies thrive. With a flexible hybrid working model, a comprehensive benefits package including an enhanced pension scheme, and ample opportunities for professional development, employees are empowered to grow their careers while making a meaningful impact in the investment advisory sector.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Software Developer in Newtownabbey
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Developer in Newtownabbey
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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Hollybank Trustees Ltd
✨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 Hollybank Trustees Ltd 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.
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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.
