Junior UX/UI Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior UX/UI Engineer Company: Squarepoint Capital Location: London, England, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-time Category: UX/UI Design & Front-End Development Date Posted: October 20, 2025 Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This hybrid role demands a blend of creative design and technical front-end development expertise, focusing on enhancing user experiences for web-based trading and enterprise platforms.
• You will be instrumental in translating complex, data-rich interfaces into intuitive designs using Figma and bringing them to life with React.
• The position offers a unique opportunity for professional development, allowing you to deepen both UX/UI design skills and front-end engineering capabilities within a fast-paced financial technology environment.
• You will engage in the full end-to-end product development lifecycle, from initial concept to final release, collaborating closely with engineers, product managers, analysts, and trading teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a hybrid UX/UI Engineer, emphasizing the integration of design and development. The "Junior" title suggests an entry-level to early-career professional, likely requiring 0-2 years of relevant experience. The financial technology context implies a need for precision, efficiency, and robust solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and design new screens, workflows, and features for both new and existing applications within Figma.
• Contribute directly to the front-end codebase in React, transforming approved designs into production-ready code that adheres to technical specifications.
• Partner effectively with developers, product managers, business analysts, and trading teams to refine design solutions and address complex user problems.
• Apply core UX principles, meticulously balancing technical feasibility, accessibility standards, performance optimization, and project delivery timelines.
• Actively contribute to the development, maintenance, and evolution of the company's design system components, ensuring consistency and reusability.
• Conduct thorough Quality Assurance (QA) testing on implemented designs to verify that they meet all functional, visual, and usability requirements before release.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to both design and development, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and adherence to technical and usability standards within a financial trading context. The mention of a design system indicates an organizational focus on design consistency and efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 0-2 years of working experience in UX/UI design and front-end development.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks independently and effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Figma for wireframing, prototyping, and detailed interface design.
• Working experience with React, including a solid understanding of modern JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML5, and CSS3.
• Familiarity with core UX principles, including usability heuristics, user-centered design methodologies, and best practices.
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and their practical application.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, essential for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment and across different departments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience contributing to or maintaining a design system.
• Familiarity with version control systems like Git.
• Exposure to agile development methodologies.
• Understanding of financial markets or trading platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements balance design and technical skills, with a clear emphasis on Figma and React. The "working experience" phrasing for Figma and React suggests that internships or significant academic projects may be considered for junior candidates, provided they are well-documented in a portfolio.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing the end-to-end design and implementation process for web applications.
• Detailed case studies demonstrating your role in identifying user problems, designing solutions in Figma, and translating those designs into functional React code.
• Examples of how you have applied UX principles, considered technical constraints, and ensured accessibility and usability in your projects.
• Documentation of contributions to design systems or style guides, highlighting component design and implementation.
• Evidence of QA testing processes and how you ensured the final product met design and functional specifications.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your workflow for translating requirements into interactive prototypes and then into development-ready assets.
• Provide examples of how you iterate on designs based on feedback from developers, product managers, and end-users.
• Illustrate your process for collaborating with engineers to ensure accurate implementation of designs.
• Demonstrate your approach to testing and validating designs for functionality, usability, and accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is crucial for this hybrid role, necessitating evidence of both design execution in Figma and front-end implementation in React. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process and demonstrate how they bridge the gap between design and development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Junior UX/UI Engineers in London with 0-2 years of experience in financial technology, an estimated annual salary range would be £40,000 - £55,000. This range accounts for the specialized hybrid skill set and the demanding nature of the financial services sector.

Benefits:

• Direct mentorship from experienced UX/UI Designers with hybrid Design + Engineering backgrounds, facilitating rapid skill development.
• Opportunities to build expertise across both interface design and front-end engineering disciplines.
• Exposure to high-impact applications critical to global trading operations, offering significant professional visibility.
• Participation in a collaborative, technology-driven organization that values innovation and offers career flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and public holiday allowance.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Professional development budget for courses, conferences, and certifications.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week.
• The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring a presence in the London office for a portion of the week, allowing for collaborative work and team interaction, while offering flexibility for remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for London, UK, for a junior hybrid role in finance. Benefits are extrapolated from typical offerings in the financial technology sector and the explicit mentions in the job description. The hybrid nature suggests a structured office presence rather than fully remote.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (FinTech) / Investment Management. Squarepoint Capital operates in a highly competitive and dynamic global financial market, requiring cutting-edge technology solutions for trading and risk management. Company Size: Squarepoint Capital is a global investment management firm with multiple offices and a significant employee count (likely several hundred to over a thousand, based on typical FinTech firms of this nature). This scale suggests established processes but also potential for impactful individual contributions. Founded: Squarepoint Capital was founded in 2014. This relatively recent founding indicates a modern, technology-forward approach to financial services, likely emphasizing innovation and agile development.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Engineer will likely be part of a Product Development or Technology team, working within a pod or squad structure that includes Product Managers, Developers (back-end and front-end), and potentially QA engineers.
• Reporting will be to a Lead UX/UI Designer or a Product Development Manager, who oversees the end-to-end product lifecycle.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with frequent interaction with trading teams, quantitative analysts, and other business stakeholders to understand requirements and gather feedback.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount in FinTech; expect a strong emphasis on analyzing user behavior and performance metrics to inform design and development choices.
• Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) are likely employed to manage the product development lifecycle, enabling rapid iteration and continuous improvement.
• A focus on creating robust, scalable, and high-performance applications to meet the demands of high-frequency trading and complex financial operations.

Company Website: https://www.squarepoint-capital.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context suggests a demanding yet rewarding environment. The FinTech sector requires precision, speed, and a deep understanding of complex systems. The company's founding date indicates a modern and innovative culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the "Junior" level, typically for individuals with 0-2 years of professional experience. It serves as an entry point into specialized hybrid roles within product development, focusing on foundational skills in both UX/UI design and front-end engineering. Reporting Structure: The Junior UX/UI Engineer will report to a more senior member of the UX/UI design team or a Product Development Lead. This structure provides direct guidance and mentorship, crucial for skill development in a complex domain. Collaboration will be extensive with product managers and software engineers. Operations Impact: While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" role, this position has a significant impact on operational efficiency and user effectiveness within Squarepoint Capital's trading and enterprise platforms. Intuitive and performant interfaces directly contribute to the speed and accuracy of trading decisions, indirectly influencing revenue generation and operational cost reduction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in either UX/UI design (e.g., UX research, interaction design, visual design) or front-end engineering (e.g., specific framework mastery, performance optimization, full-stack development).
• Leadership: Progress to Senior UX/UI Engineer, Lead Designer, or Front-End Lead roles, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior team members, and influencing design strategy.
• Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge within the FinTech domain, becoming an expert in designing for trading platforms, risk management systems, or other financial applications.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to transition into Product Management or other technology leadership roles given a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is clearly defined, encouraging specialization or broader leadership within the technology and product development functions. The hybrid nature of the role itself presents a unique growth opportunity.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in London and operates on a hybrid model. This indicates a professional office environment designed for collaboration, where employees are expected to be present for a set number of days per week. Office Location(s): The specific office location in London will be provided upon application or during the interview process. It's expected to be in a central business district, accessible via public transport. Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and potentially dedicated quiet zones for focused work.
• Access to high-performance workstations, dual monitors, and the necessary software licenses for Figma and development tools will be provided.
• Opportunities for frequent interaction with designers, developers, product managers, and trading teams, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.
• The atmosphere is likely professional and fast-paced, reflecting the demands of the financial technology industry.

Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with potential for occasional extended hours during critical project phases or release cycles. The hybrid arrangement allows for some flexibility in managing personal schedules around core office days and collaborative needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is a key aspect, balancing the need for in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work, typical for modern tech roles in major financial hubs like London.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or HR representative to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Technical & Design Assessment: This may involve a take-home assignment or a live coding/design exercise focusing on Figma prototyping and React implementation of a specific UI component or workflow.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key projects, explaining your design process, technical implementation, and problem-solving approach. Be prepared to discuss challenges and outcomes.
• Team Interviews: Meetings with potential team members (developers, product managers, other designers) to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural alignment.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the hiring manager or a senior leader to assess overall fit, career aspirations, and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio case studies with a narrative: problem, your role, process, solution, and impact. Clearly articulate the "why" behind your design and technical decisions.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: For Figma work, use interactive prototypes. For React work, provide links to live examples or well-documented code repositories (if permissible).
• Process Emphasis: Highlight your iterative process, how you incorporated feedback, and how you balanced design goals with technical feasibility and business constraints.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your work (e.g., improved user task completion time, reduced error rates, increased adoption).
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that showcase both strong UX/UI design principles and practical front-end development skills, particularly those involving complex data or enterprise applications.

Challenge Preparation:

• Figma Proficiency: Be ready to create a quick prototype or mock-up based on a given prompt. Understand auto-layout, components, and prototyping features.
• React Fundamentals: Prepare for questions on core React concepts (components, state, props, hooks), JavaScript fundamentals (ES6+), and basic HTML/CSS.
• Problem-Solving: Practice breaking down complex UI problems into smaller, manageable parts and articulating your approach clearly.
• Collaboration Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would handle disagreements with developers or product managers regarding design choices or technical limitations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills demonstration through a portfolio and potential technical assessments. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their hybrid capabilities effectively.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (core tool for design, wireframing, and prototyping).
• Front-End Framework: React (primary library for building user interfaces).
• Programming Languages: JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript (increasingly important for large-scale applications).
• Web Technologies: HTML5, CSS3 (including preprocessors like Sass/LESS, and potentially CSS-in-JS solutions).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated for this role, expect to work with data from tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or internal BI platforms used to track user behavior and application performance.
• Familiarity with data visualization libraries within React could be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, as it's focused on product development rather than sales or marketing operations. However, understanding how user data flows from front-end interactions into backend systems is important.
• Version Control: Git (essential for collaborative code development).
• Build Tools: Webpack, Vite, or similar (understanding how front-end assets are bundled and optimized).

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is clearly defined, with Figma and React being central. Proficiency in modern web development standards and version control is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Accuracy: In FinTech, even small errors can have significant consequences. This translates to a high standard for design detail and code quality.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across design, development, and business functions is critical for success. Open communication and mutual respect are key.
• Innovation & Adaptability: The financial markets are constantly evolving, requiring technology solutions that are forward-thinking and can adapt quickly to new challenges and opportunities.
• Efficiency & Performance: Applications must be performant and efficient to support fast-paced trading environments. This applies to both user experience and system resource utilization.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on data and user insights to guide design and development choices, rather than solely on intuition.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Pods: Expect to work within agile teams where designers, developers, and product owners collaborate daily to achieve shared goals.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Regular design reviews, code reviews, and sprint demos are likely to facilitate continuous feedback and improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, new techniques, and lessons learned, possibly through internal presentations, documentation, or informal discussions.
• Problem-Solving Orientation: A collective focus on identifying and solving complex technical and user experience challenges through open discussion and collaborative effort.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture and values are heavily influenced by the FinTech industry, emphasizing precision, collaboration, and a data-driven approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Design & Technical Constraints: Effectively merging creative design visions with the practical limitations of front-end development and complex financial systems.
• Data Visualization Complexity: Designing intuitive interfaces for highly complex, data-rich trading platforms requires careful consideration of information architecture and visual hierarchy.
• Rapid Development Cycles: Keeping pace with the fast-moving financial markets necessitates agile development and the ability to iterate quickly on designs and code.
• Ensuring Accessibility and Usability: Designing for a diverse user base, including experienced traders and operational staff, while adhering to strict accessibility standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced React & TypeScript: Deepen expertise in modern front-end development practices, performance optimization, and architectural patterns.
• UX Research & Strategy: Develop skills in user research methodologies, journey mapping, and strategic UX planning.
• Design Systems Management: Learn to build, maintain, and scale comprehensive design systems for enterprise applications.
• FinTech Domain Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of financial trading workflows, market data, and regulatory requirements, becoming a specialist in this niche.
• Mentorship: Benefit from direct guidance from experienced professionals in both design and engineering fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the hybrid nature of the role and the specific industry. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise in either design or development within the FinTech context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to compromise on a design due to technical feasibility. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your collaborative problem-solving and negotiation skills.)
• "Walk us through a complex UI you designed in Figma. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure it was user-friendly and technically implementable in React?" (Prepare to present a detailed case study from your portfolio.)
• "How do you ensure your React code is maintainable, scalable, and performs well, especially when translating complex designs?" (Highlight your understanding of clean code principles, component architecture, and performance optimization.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Squarepoint Capital and the FinTech industry specifically?" (Research the company's recent news, values, and market position.)
• "How do you approach collaborating with developers who might have different technical opinions or priorities than your design vision?" (Emphasize your communication and team-player attributes.)
• "How would you measure the success of a new feature you designed and implemented on our trading platform?" (Think about user adoption, task completion rates, error reduction, or performance metrics.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of the project and its goals. Then, dive into specific challenges, your design process (ideation, wireframing, prototyping in Figma), and your front-end implementation (key React components, code snippets if appropriate). Conclude with the results and any lessons learned.
• Visuals: Use clear, high-resolution mockups, interactive prototypes (if possible), and well-commented code examples (or descriptions of code structure).
• Narrative: Tell a story that clearly articulates your thought process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work.
• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your React implementation, including state management, component design, and any optimization techniques used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating the synergy between design and development skills, highlighting problem-solving abilities, and showcasing an understanding of the FinTech environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Junior UX/UI Engineer position:

• Submit your application directly through the Squarepoint Capital careers portal via the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature 1-2 projects that best demonstrate your hybrid UX/UI design and React development capabilities. Prioritize projects that showcase complex interfaces, data handling, or enterprise applications.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords directly from the job description, such as "Figma," "React," "UX/UI Design," "Front-End Development," "JavaScript," "TypeScript," "Accessibility," and "Financial Technology." Quantify achievements wherever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on articulating your thought process, design choices, technical implementation details, and the impact of your work. Prepare for potential live design or coding exercises.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Squarepoint Capital, its mission, values, and recent activities in the FinTech space. Understand the challenges and opportunities within the financial trading environment to better align your responses during the interview.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.