At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to develop and enhance our innovative auction platform using modern tech.
- Company: Wilsons Auctions, the largest independent auction house in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, extra holidays, health perks, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse workplace with excellent career advancement potential.
- 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 experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
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 TypeScript solution using a Node.js backend API with NestJS, 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 continue 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/NestJS 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, NestJS and TypeORM, alongside the Aurora MySQL 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 CloudFront and optimised media pipelines.
- Build real-time auction capabilities (e.g., Socket.IO or AppSync) and maintain robust search experiences via OpenSearch.
- Own integrations end-to-end: implement, monitor and harden connections with various third-party services.
- Operate what you build: instrument, monitor and tune services using CloudWatch, optimisation in OpenSearch, and caching via ElastiCache/Redis.
- Contribute to CI/CD and IaC: write automated tests, maintain pipelines, and update infrastructure through AWS CDK.
- Champion security: apply best practices around Cognito, 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.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Ops and Support to triage issues, scope work, and deliver incremental value safely and predictably.
Technical environment
Languages & frameworks: TypeScript, Node.js, NestJS, React, Next.js; monorepo via Lerna & Yarn workspaces. Data & messaging: Aurora MySQL Serverless v2, TypeORM migrations, ElastiCache/Redis, Bull queues. Search & real-time: OpenSearch; Socket.IO and AWS AppSync for live updates and bidding. Storage & delivery: S3, CloudFront; image optimisation. Auth & security: AWS Cognito, IAM, KMS, WAF, Secrets Manager. CI/CD, IaC & AI-enabled delivery: GitLab CI, CodeBuild/CodeDeploy, AWS CDK, Claude Code and AI PDLC practices for planning, coding, testing, review and documentation. Internal libraries: GCD Technologies Acorn modules.
Skills & Experience
Must-have
- 5+ years of proven experience with TypeScript services, Node.js/NestJS backend APIs and modern React/Next.js front-ends.
- Strong practical experience using AI-assisted development workflows.
- Strong MySQL fundamentals and ORM migrations.
- Production experience on AWS and IaC.
- Integrating third-party APIs, webhooks and payment/KYC flows.
- Testing mindset and CI/CD automation.
- Security awareness.
Nice-to-have
- Real-time systems and eventing patterns for high-traffic auctions.
- Search relevance and indexing pipelines.
- 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. Observability: CloudWatch dashboards & alerts. Modern cloud hosting: the platform is deployed on current AWS managed services. 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.
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.
The business strives to be a positive employer and provides a wide range of additional benefits including:
- Additional holidays based on length of service
- Employee spending discounts
- Health & wellbeing incentives
- Support for professional development
- Opportunity for advancements
- Mental health first aid access
- Employee recognition programme
- Length of service bonus
- Pension scheme
- Retirement bonus
- Bereavement leave
- On site parking
- 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.
Senior Software Developer in Newtownabbey employer: Wilsons Auctions Ltd
Wilsons Auctions is an excellent employer for aspiring software engineers, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and engage in cutting-edge technologies like AI-assisted development, employees can expect significant growth in their careers while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Belfast.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Developer in Newtownabbey
✨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 Wilsons Auctions Ltd 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
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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.
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 Wilsons Auctions Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Wilsons Auctions Ltd 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 Wilsons Auctions 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 Wilsons Auctions 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.
✨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.
