At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a greenfield SaaS product using TypeScript, React, and Node.
- Company: Join a dynamic tech company focused on AI-native engineering and innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, fully remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on mentoring and technical leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping cutting-edge software solutions alongside clients.
- Qualifications: Deep expertise in TypeScript, React, Node, and experience with AI-native engineering.
Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this is a genuinely outstanding contract opportunity for a rockstar Principal Engineer to lead the development of a greenfield SaaS product. We’re looking for a ‘best of breed’, deeply senior, technically hands-on engineer who thrives in complex problem spaces and fast-moving start-up & scale-up environments. You’ll need a genuinely Product Centric mindset and approach twinned with experience of AI-Native Engineering and Agentic Workflow.
You’ll be embedded into a product squad, frequently working Forward Deployed; sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with clients to understand their workflows, shape solutions in real time, and ship production-grade software that transforms how they operate. You’ll own outcomes end-to-end across the stack, setting the technical bar for the squad and helping define the future of AI-native engineering.
Skills we’re looking for:
- Senior-to-Staff-level Full Stack Engineer with deep, current expertise in TypeScript, React and Node; comfortable reasoning across the entire stack from database design to DOM performance.
- Authority in React and the modern front-end ecosystems; component-driven architecture, design systems, advanced state management (Redux Toolkit, Zustand, TanStack Query or Apollo), and modern toolchains (Vite, ESBuild) with pnpm/yarn/npm.
- Strong Node.js engineering capability; REST and GraphQL API design, integration patterns, relational/NoSQL modelling, and practical experience deploying into modern cloud/serverless environments (AWS and Cloudflare preferred).
- Proven experience with Claude Code and advanced agentic workflows; shipping real work using multi-agent patterns, orchestrating sub-agents, managing context, defining custom commands/skills and scaling AI-assisted delivery across a team.
- Exceptional communication and client readiness; you’ve worked Forward Deployed or in comparable client-facing roles, can run discovery sessions, challenge requirements constructively, and turn whiteboard conversations into shippable code.
- A strong product mindset; comfortable operating without a traditional Product Owner, making sensible trade-offs, prioritising ruthlessly and owning outcomes.
- A keen eye for design; able to interpret a design system and produce intuitive, interactive UX without needing high-fidelity mock-ups.
- Rigorous engineering standards; Git-based workflows, trunk-based development, CI/CD (GitHub Actions), comprehensive testing (Jest, React Testing Library, Playwright), accessibility, performance and secure-by-default coding.
- Technical leadership without the title; lifting teams through pairing, mentoring, PR review and example.
- Outcome-oriented pragmatism; comfortable with ambiguity, biased to shipping, and able to make sensible calls on scope, sequencing and technical debt under pressure.
What You’ll Do:
- Architect, build and ship complex Full Stack TypeScript applications; owning substantive feature sets end-to-end across React front-ends and BFF Node services.
- Operate as a Forward Deployed Engineer; working directly with clients to elicit requirements, shape solutions, prototype live in the room and translate messy real-world workflows into elegant, production-ready software.
- Own each feature’s solution end-to-end; partnering with Business Analysts on high-level problem framing, then driving product thinking, scoping, trade-offs and delivery yourself.
- Leverage Claude Code and advanced agentic workflows at pace; orchestrating sub-agents, managing context, running parallel workstreams and embedding AI-native patterns into everyday engineering.
- Craft beautiful, highly interactive UX workflows from low-fidelity inputs; interpreting our design system and producing polished UI without waiting for polished Figma.
- Shape architecture and technical direction; making well-reasoned decisions on frameworks, patterns, state management, API design and performance.
- Champion engineering excellence; test coverage, peer review, CI/CD discipline (GitHub Actions), secure coding, accessibility (WCAG) and performance.
- Mentor and elevate engineers around you through pairing, PR review, architectural guidance and practical coaching on AI-assisted development.
£875-£900 per day OUTSIDE IR35. 100% remote. 6 months rolling.
Principal Full Stack Engineer - TypeScript, React, Node, Agentic Workflow (Claude Code), AWS, Forward Deployed, AI‑Native Engineering – OUTSIDE IR35 in Derby employer: Smart Sourcer
Join a forward-thinking company that champions innovation and excellence in AI-native engineering. As a Principal Full Stack Engineer, you'll thrive in a dynamic remote work environment that fosters collaboration and creativity, while enjoying competitive daily rates and the flexibility of 100% remote work. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, mentorship, and cutting-edge technology, this role offers you the chance to shape the future of SaaS products and make a meaningful impact on client workflows.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Full Stack Engineer - TypeScript, React, Node, Agentic Workflow (Claude Code), AWS, Forward Deployed, AI‑Native Engineering – OUTSIDE IR35 in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving TypeScript, React, and Node. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise in AI-native engineering and agentic workflows.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. Focus on your problem-solving approach and be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex issues in past projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented engineers like you. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your experience with forward-deployed roles and client interactions.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Full Stack Engineer - TypeScript, React, Node, Agentic Workflow (Claude Code), AWS, Forward Deployed, AI‑Native Engineering – OUTSIDE IR35 in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your expertise in TypeScript, React, and Node. We want to see how you’ve tackled complex problems and delivered solutions in your previous roles. Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical prowess!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this role. We’re looking for someone with a product-centric mindset and experience in AI-native engineering, so make sure to reflect that in your cover letter and CV. It’ll help us see why you’re the perfect fit!
Be Client-Focused:Since this role involves working closely with clients, share examples of how you’ve successfully engaged with them in the past. We love seeing candidates who can translate client needs into actionable solutions, so let us know how you’ve done that!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smart Sourcer
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in TypeScript, React, and Node.js. Brush up on your knowledge of component-driven architecture and advanced state management tools like Redux Toolkit or Zustand. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects, especially in complex problem spaces.
✨Showcase Your Client-Facing Experience
Since this role involves working closely with clients, prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated client interactions. Think about times when you’ve run discovery sessions or translated messy workflows into elegant solutions. Highlight your ability to challenge requirements constructively.
✨Demonstrate Your Product Mindset
Be prepared to talk about how you prioritise features and make trade-offs without a traditional Product Owner. Share specific instances where you’ve owned outcomes and driven product thinking from inception to delivery. This will show that you can thrive in a fast-moving environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Leadership Questions
Expect questions about mentoring and elevating your team. Think of examples where you’ve lifted others through pairing, PR reviews, or architectural guidance. Show that you can lead by example and maintain rigorous engineering standards while fostering a collaborative environment.
