AVP - UI Software engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: AVP - UI Software engineer

Company: Barclays

Location: Glasgow Campus, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UI Engineering / Front-end Development

Date Posted: 2025-06-13T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (AVP Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead the design and development of high-quality, scalable User Interface (UI) solutions for critical banking platforms.
• Translate complex business requirements and design specifications into robust and performant front-end code using modern JavaScript frameworks like React.
• Collaborate closely with UX/UI designers and backend engineers to ensure seamless integration and an exceptional user experience.
• Contribute to the technical direction and best practices for front-end development within a large-scale financial services environment.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of technical excellence, code quality, and innovation.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement user interfaces for web applications, ensuring responsiveness, performance, and accessibility across various devices and browsers.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code using Advanced JavaScript, ES6+, React, and related modern front-end technologies.
• Collaborate with UX/UI designers to translate wireframes, mockups, and prototypes into functional and visually appealing user interfaces.
• Integrate front-end applications with backend services and APIs, ensuring efficient data flow and communication.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback and ensuring adherence to coding standards and best practices.
• Troubleshoot and debug UI issues, identify performance bottlenecks, and implement optimization strategies.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems, component libraries, and front-end architecture.
• Stay updated on the latest front-end development trends, tools, and technologies, and advocate for their adoption where appropriate.
• Work within an Agile development methodology, participating in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• Implement and maintain unit tests and other automated testing strategies to ensure code reliability and quality.
• Adhere to secure coding practices and contribute to the security posture of the applications developed.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is typically required. Equivalent practical experience demonstrating strong technical proficiency in front-end development may also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in front-end software development, with a strong focus on building complex user interfaces for web applications. Experience within the financial services industry or other highly regulated environments is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Advanced JavaScript & ES6+: Deep understanding of core JavaScript concepts, asynchronous programming, and modern language features.
• React Core Concepts: Proficiency in building complex applications using React hooks, context API, component lifecycle, and state management libraries (e.g., Redux, Zustand, Recoil).
• Modern Frontend Tooling: Expertise with build tools (Webpack, Vite), package managers (npm, yarn), and testing frameworks (Jest, React Testing Library).
• HTML5 and CSS3: Strong command of semantic HTML and modern CSS techniques, including responsive design and layout.

Preferred Skills:

• TypeScript: Experience implementing type safety in large-scale React applications.
• CSS-in-JS & Component Libraries: Familiarity with styling solutions like styled-components or Emotion, and experience using component libraries (e.g., Material UI, Chakra UI, Tailwind CSS).
• Performance Optimization: Knowledge of techniques for optimizing front-end performance, including code splitting, lazy loading, and using tools like Lighthouse.
• Experience with Agile methodologies: Working knowledge of Scrum or Kanban.
• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG).

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• While not a traditional visual design role, a technical portfolio or GitHub profile showcasing code samples and contributions to significant front-end projects is highly recommended.
• Include examples of complex UI components or applications you have built using React and modern JavaScript.
• Demonstrate your understanding of front-end architecture and how you approach building scalable and maintainable user interfaces.
• Showcase projects where you have focused on performance optimization and code quality.

Process Documentation:

• For relevant projects, briefly describe your development process, including how you approached problem-solving, technical challenges, and collaboration with designers and backend engineers.
• Explain your rationale behind technical decisions, particularly concerning framework choices, state management, and performance optimizations.
• Highlight instances where you contributed to the technical direction or improved development workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £60,000 - £90,000 per annum. This is an estimated range based on typical AVP level software engineering salaries in Glasgow, United Kingdom, considering the level of experience required, the financial services industry, and current market conditions. Actual salary may vary based on qualifications, experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and training, including access to internal and external learning resources relevant to front-end development and banking technology.
• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.
• Potential for flexible working arrangements (to be discussed).
• Employee discounts and other perks.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project requirements, allowing for focused deep work and collaborative sessions.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Banking

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1690

Barclays is a major global financial institution with a long history. As a large organization, the UI engineering team likely operates within a structured environment with established processes and standards. The focus is on building robust, secure, and compliant applications for both customers and internal colleagues.

Team Structure:

• The UI engineering team is likely organized into smaller pods or squads focused on specific products or platforms.
• You will report to a Team Lead or Engineering Manager within the technology department.
• Collaboration is key, working closely with other UI engineers, backend engineers, QA testers, product managers, and UX/UI designers.

Methodology:

• The team likely follows an Agile development methodology, such as Scrum or Kanban, to manage project workflows and iterations.
• Emphasis will be placed on iterative development, continuous integration, and continuous delivery (CI/CD).
• Given the financial industry, there will be a strong focus on security, compliance, and rigorous testing throughout the development lifecycle.

Company Website: https://home.barclays

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Assistant Vice President (AVP). This level typically signifies a senior individual contributor role with significant technical expertise, the ability to lead complex projects, and potentially mentor junior team members. It's a step below Vice President (VP) and often involves contributing to technical strategy and decision-making.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a more senior engineering leader, such as a Vice President or Director of Engineering.

Design Impact: Your work will directly impact the user experience and functionality of critical banking applications used by customers and colleagues. Your contributions to the UI will influence user satisfaction, operational efficiency, and potentially regulatory compliance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to higher technical levels, such as Vice President or Director, with increased responsibility for technical strategy and team leadership.
• Opportunities to specialize in specific areas of front-end development, such as performance optimization, accessibility, or building large-scale design systems.
• Cross-functional movement into roles like Technical Lead, Engineering Manager, or even Product Management (with additional training and experience).
• Access to internal training programs and resources to develop new skills and stay current with emerging technologies in the financial technology space.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Office-based at the Glasgow Campus.

Office Location(s): Glasgow Campus, United Kingdom.

The Glasgow campus likely offers a professional and collaborative work environment. As an on-site role, expect to work closely with your team members and cross-functional colleagues in person.

Design Workspace Context:

• Access to modern computing equipment and software necessary for UI development.
• Collaborative spaces for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and pair programming.
• Likely access to resources for usability testing and design collaboration tools.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. The specific hours may vary depending on team needs and project deadlines, but generally follow a standard business day schedule.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call with a recruiter to discuss your experience and the role.
• Technical interview(s) focusing on your coding skills in JavaScript and React, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of front-end concepts. Be prepared to discuss your technical projects and contributions.
• System design or architectural discussion where you might be asked to design a component or a part of a UI application.
• Behavioral interview to assess your collaboration skills, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit within the team and organization.
• Potential interview with a hiring manager or senior leader to discuss your experience and career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• For this role, focus on showcasing your technical expertise in front-end development rather than visual design skills.
• Highlight projects where you have used React and modern JavaScript to build complex and performant user interfaces.
• Explain your technical decisions and the challenges you overcame in your projects.
• If you have contributed to open-source projects or have a strong GitHub profile, be sure to share it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for live coding exercises or take-home assignments that assess your ability to build UI components or solve front-end problems using React and JavaScript.
• Practice explaining your thought process and technical decisions clearly during coding challenges.
• Brush up on fundamental computer science concepts and data structures as they apply to front-end development.

ATS Keywords: Advanced JavaScript, ES6, React, Redux, Zustand, Recoil, Webpack, Vite, npm, yarn, Jest, React Testing Library, TypeScript, CSS-in-JS, Styled Components, Emotion, Material UI, Chakra UI, Tailwind CSS, Performance Optimization, Code Splitting, Lazy Loading, Lighthouse, Web Vitals, HTML5, CSS3, Responsive Design, Accessibility, WCAG, Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Unit Testing, Secure Coding, Financial Services, Banking, UI Development, Front-end Engineering, Software Engineer, AVP, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Enterprise Applications, Design Systems, Component Libraries, API Integration, Cross-functional Collaboration.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• React: The primary JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Expect to work extensively with React hooks, components, and the surrounding ecosystem.
• Advanced JavaScript & ES6+: Core programming language for front-end development, requiring a deep understanding of modern features and patterns.
• Modern Frontend Tooling: Includes build tools like Webpack or Vite for bundling and optimizing code, and package managers like npm or yarn for managing dependencies.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams for team communication.
• Version control systems like Git, likely hosted on platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket for code management and collaboration.
• Potentially using design handoff tools like Zeplin or Figma for collaboration with UX/UI designers.

Research & Testing:

• Testing frameworks like Jest and React Testing Library for writing unit and integration tests.
• Browser developer tools for debugging and performance analysis.
• Potentially using tools for performance monitoring and analytics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• User-Centricity: A focus on understanding and addressing the needs of both external customers and internal colleagues who use the applications.
• Quality and Reliability: Given the financial industry, there's a strong emphasis on building robust, error-free, and reliable user interfaces.
• Collaboration and Communication: Working effectively with cross-functional teams is crucial for successful project delivery.
• Continuous Improvement: A culture of staying updated on industry trends and improving development processes and technical skills.
• Security and Compliance: Adhering to strict security protocols and regulatory requirements in all development activities.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a collaborative environment with regular team meetings, code reviews, and knowledge sharing sessions.
• Cross-functional collaboration with product managers, designers, and backend engineers is a key aspect of the role.
• Likely follows an Agile methodology, promoting close collaboration within the team and with stakeholders.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Building complex and data-intensive user interfaces for financial applications while ensuring high performance and responsiveness.
• Navigating and adhering to strict regulatory requirements and security protocols in UI development.
• Integrating with legacy systems and working within a large, established technical architecture.
• Keeping up with the rapidly evolving landscape of front-end technologies and best practices.
• Ensuring accessibility and usability for a diverse user base.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunities to work on challenging, large-scale projects that will enhance your technical skills and experience.
• Access to training programs and resources to deepen your expertise in React, JavaScript, and other relevant technologies.
• Potential to contribute to internal technical communities and share your knowledge with other engineers.
• Opportunities to mentor junior developers and develop your leadership skills.
• Exposure to the latest tools and technologies used in the financial technology sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to building scalable and maintainable React applications.
• Explain how you handle state management in complex applications and the trade-offs of different approaches.
• Describe your process for optimizing front-end performance and identifying bottlenecks.
• Discuss your experience with testing front-end code and ensuring code quality.
• Be ready to talk about your experience collaborating with designers and backend engineers.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research Barclays' values and culture and be prepared to discuss how your own values align.
• Ask questions about the team structure, collaboration style, and how design and engineering teams work together.
• Inquire about the challenges and opportunities within the UI engineering team.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• If you have a technical portfolio or GitHub profile, be prepared to walk the interviewer through some of your key projects.
• Focus on explaining the technical challenges you faced and how you solved them.
• Highlight your contributions to the codebase and the impact of your work.
• Be ready to discuss your code and explain your technical decisions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Prepare a resume that highlights your experience with Advanced JavaScript, React, modern front-end tooling, and any relevant experience in financial services or large-scale applications. Optimize your resume with relevant ATS keywords.
• If you have a technical portfolio or GitHub profile, ensure it is up-to-date and showcases your strongest front-end projects and code samples.
• Research Barclays, their technology stack, and their business to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the company.
• Prepare for technical interviews by practicing coding exercises in JavaScript and React and reviewing concepts related to front-end architecture and performance optimization.