Senior Software Developer in Newtownabbey

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.

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 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/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.
• 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, Secrets Manager; comprehensive audit trails.

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.

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. You will have the opportunity to directly shape the future of the business with direct access to key decision makers.

Additional Benefits

• 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

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:30pm