Software Engineer - UI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Software Engineer - UI
Company: Barclays
Location: Knutsford, Radbroke Hall, United Kingdom
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Technology / Software Engineering / UI Development
Date Posted: 2025-12-18
Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior (estimated 5-10 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design, develop, and enhance high-quality software solutions with a focus on User Interface (UI) development, leveraging modern programming languages and frameworks.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, designers, and fellow engineers to translate business requirements into scalable, maintainable, and performant software.
• Actively participate in code reviews, promote best practices in code quality, and foster a culture of knowledge sharing within the engineering team.
• Contribute to the adoption of secure coding practices and robust unit testing to ensure the reliability and security of all developed software.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, guiding them in complex development tasks and fostering their professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly for a UI Software Engineer within Barclays' Customer Care team, specifically focusing on the Collections and Recoveries domain. The emphasis on "user-friendly experiences for our clients" and "leading UI development" positions this as a key contributor to client-facing applications. The mention of "full-stack solutions" suggests an expectation to understand and contribute beyond just the front-end. The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section, while broadly applicable to leadership roles, indicates a senior individual contributor or potential team lead capacity, focusing on influencing, problem-solving, and risk mitigation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver robust, scalable, and performant UI components and applications using industry-standard front-end technologies and best practices.
• Implement software solutions by writing clean, maintainable, and well-documented code in languages such as Java (with Spring Boot), JavaScript, and TypeScript.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and UX/UI Designers to refine requirements, provide technical feasibility assessments, and ensure the successful implementation of intuitive user interfaces.
• Actively engage in code reviews, offering constructive feedback to peers and junior engineers to uphold code quality, consistency, and adherence to architectural standards.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the software development lifecycle by participating in Agile ceremonies, advocating for DevOps practices, and implementing CI/CD pipelines.
• Mentor and guide junior software engineers, sharing expertise in UI development, Java, microservices, and cloud technologies, to foster team growth and capability.
• Ensure all developed software adheres to stringent security coding practices and compliance standards, mitigating vulnerabilities and protecting sensitive customer data.
• Design and implement comprehensive unit tests and integration tests to validate functionality, ensure code reliability, and support a robust testing strategy.
• Contribute to technical strategy discussions, offering insights into emerging UI technologies, architectural patterns, and potential improvements to existing systems.
• Support the integration of front-end applications with back-end microservices and cloud-based infrastructure, ensuring seamless data flow and system interoperability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong blend of individual contributor technical expertise and leadership/mentorship. The emphasis on "design, develop, and improve software" and "user-friendly experiences" points towards a role that balances innovation with practical application. The inclusion of "Assistant Vice President Expectations" suggests that responsibilities extend to influencing decision-making, contributing to policy, and potentially leading complex assignments or guiding team members, even if not a formal management role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific degree requirements are not listed, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in software engineering, with a significant focus on UI development and full-stack capabilities. Experience in a hybrid work environment and within the financial services sector is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in Java development, including proficiency with Spring Boot and an understanding of microservices architecture.
• Strong command of JavaScript and experience with modern front-end frameworks such as React or Angular.
• Demonstrable experience in UI development, including designing and implementing complex user interfaces.
• Experience leading development tasks or mentoring junior engineers in a professional setting.
• Familiarity with cloud-based development environments and core DevOps principles and practices.
• Understanding and application of secure coding practices to ensure data protection and system integrity.
• Proficiency in implementing effective unit testing strategies to ensure code quality and reliability.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the financial services or banking domain.
• Solid experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud services.
• Experience with CI/CD tools such as Jenkins or GitLab.
• Knowledge of TypeScript for enhanced modern web development.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and practices.
• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "AI_key_skills" and "AI_keywords" provide a comprehensive list of technical proficiencies. The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section implies a need for strategic thinking, risk management, and the ability to influence and guide others, suggesting that soft skills and a broader understanding of business impact are critical. The estimated experience level (5-10 years) aligns with the expectation of leading complex tasks and providing mentorship.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant UI development projects, clearly detailing your role, the technologies used, and the challenges overcome.
• For each project, provide demonstrable evidence of UI design and implementation, highlighting user-centric design principles and accessibility considerations.
• Include examples of how you have contributed to or implemented microservices architecture and integrated front-end applications with back-end services.
• Present case studies that demonstrate your ability to optimize code for performance, scalability, and maintainability, with quantifiable results where possible.
• If applicable, include examples of contributions to CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, or cloud-based deployments (e.g., AWS).

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to requirement gathering, solution design, and implementation within an Agile framework.
• Detail your experience with code review processes, including how you provide and receive feedback to improve code quality.
• Explain your methodology for unit testing and ensuring code reliability, including any specific tools or frameworks you utilize.
• Describe your approach to maintaining and improving existing software systems, including refactoring and performance tuning.
• Articulate your understanding of secure coding practices and how you integrate them into the development workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio submission isn't explicitly stated, the nature of a senior engineering role, especially one involving leadership and complex problem-solving, implies that candidates will be expected to discuss their past work and demonstrate their capabilities. The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section emphasizes consulting on complex issues and identifying new directions, which requires a deep understanding of processes and systems and the ability to articulate them.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Software Engineer with UI specialization in the Knutsford, UK area, and considering the Assistant Vice President Expectations, the estimated salary range is £60,000 - £90,000 per annum. This range accounts for experience, technical expertise, and leadership potential within a major financial institution like Barclays.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.
• Employee assistance programs for well-being and support.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.
• Access to employee discounts and corporate benefits.
• Hybrid working model offering flexibility between home and office.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. While a hybrid model is in place, specific daily schedules may vary and are subject to team and business needs. Flexibility may be expected to meet project deadlines and critical business demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in the UK financial sector and the specified experience level. Barclays, as a large financial institution, typically offers a competitive benefits package. The "working_hours" field from the input data was used directly.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking. Barclays is a global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, and wealth management. This industry context implies a strong emphasis on security, compliance, regulation, and robust operational processes.

Company Size: Barclays is a large, multinational corporation, part of the FTSE 100 index. This scale means a structured environment with established processes, opportunities for specialization, and potential for significant career progression across various business units and geographies.

Founded: Barclays was founded in 1690, making it one of the oldest financial institutions globally. Its long history signifies stability, deep-rooted expertise, and a commitment to evolving with market and technological changes. The "Customer Care team" and "Collections and Recoveries domain" suggest a focus on client relationships and operational efficiency in managing customer accounts.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Customer Care team, specifically focusing on the Collections and Recoveries domain. This indicates a team dedicated to managing customer accounts that require attention in these areas.
• The Software Engineer - UI will likely report to a Team Lead or Engineering Manager within the Customer Care technology division.
• Collaboration is expected with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, other Software Engineers (both front-end and back-end), QA Testers, and potentially business stakeholders within Collections and Recoveries.

Methodology:

• The role operates within an Agile development framework, likely Scrum or Kanban, emphasizing iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptability.
• Data analysis will be crucial for understanding user behavior, identifying areas for UI improvement, and measuring the impact of implemented solutions.
• Workflow planning and optimization will be key to ensuring efficient development cycles and seamless integration of UI components into broader applications.
• Automation will be a significant focus, particularly in CI/CD pipelines, testing, and deployment processes, to enhance efficiency and reliability.

Company Website: https://home.barclays/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description, industry, and size provide context for the operational environment. The specific mention of "Customer Care team" and "Collections and Recoveries domain" allows for tailoring the "Methodology" and "Team Structure" sections to be more relevant to the specific function of this role within Barclays. The long founding date suggests a company with established processes and a culture of long-term stability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level to senior individual contributor or a potential team lead capacity, indicated by the "Assistant Vice President Expectations" and the need for mentorship. It requires a strong technical foundation in UI development, coupled with the ability to influence technical direction, manage complex tasks, and guide junior team members. The scope involves not just development but also contributing to strategy, risk mitigation, and operational effectiveness within the Collections and Recoveries domain.

Reporting Structure: The Software Engineer - UI will likely report to a Team Lead or Engineering Manager responsible for the Customer Care technology group within Collections and Recoveries. They will collaborate closely with product owners, designers, and a team of fellow engineers (front-end, back-end, QA).

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to enhancing the client experience within critical financial operations. By improving the UI for customer care and collections/recoveries, the engineer can contribute to increased client satisfaction, improved efficiency in customer interactions, reduced operational costs through better self-service or agent tools, and potentially reduced risk by ensuring clear and accurate information presentation. This role directly influences how clients interact with Barclays during potentially sensitive financial situations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced UI frameworks, performance optimization, accessibility standards, or explore related areas like UX engineering.
• Leadership Development: Transition into a formal Team Lead or People Manager role, taking on direct reports, performance management, and strategic team planning.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Move into other technology domains within Barclays, such as core banking, investment banking technology, or data analytics, leveraging foundational engineering skills.
• Architectural Roles: Progress towards a Software Architect role, focusing on designing scalable and robust technology solutions across broader business areas.
• DevOps & Cloud Engineering: Develop specialized skills in cloud infrastructure management (AWS), CI/CD automation, and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section is the primary driver for framing the career level and growth opportunities. The focus on influencing, leading complex assignments, and mentoring points towards a senior individual contributor or emerging leadership track. The specific domain (Collections and Recoveries) allows for detailing the "Operations Impact" in a targeted manner.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a hybrid role, meaning a blend of working from home and in-office presence at the Knutsford, Radbroke Hall location. This setup aims to balance the benefits of remote work flexibility with the advantages of in-person collaboration and team building.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Radbroke Hall in Knutsford, United Kingdom. This is a significant Barclays technology campus, likely equipped with modern facilities to support a collaborative and productive work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment at Radbroke Hall is expected to feature open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and breakout zones designed to facilitate spontaneous discussions, team meetings, and knowledge sharing among engineers and cross-functional teams.
• Technology & Tools: Access to robust IT infrastructure, high-speed internet, development workstations, and potentially specialized hardware or software required for UI development and testing.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for face-to-face interaction with colleagues, fostering stronger team cohesion, facilitating complex problem-solving sessions, and building relationships with product managers, designers, and other engineers.

Work Schedule: The role operates on a hybrid schedule, typically involving a set number of days in the office per week (specifics not detailed but common for hybrid roles). Standard working hours are around 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available to accommodate personal needs and project demands, provided business objectives are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote_derived" and "locations_derived" fields from the input data confirm the hybrid nature and specific location. The description of Radbroke Hall as a "significant Barclays technology campus" allows for inferences about the workspace context, focusing on modern facilities and collaborative potential.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Technical Assessment: This may involve a coding challenge (online or take-home) focusing on UI development, JavaScript, and potentially Java/Spring Boot concepts. Alternatively, a technical interview with one or more engineers focusing on problem-solving and coding.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, leadership potential, and alignment with team goals. This is where your understanding of the "Assistant Vice President Expectations" will be assessed.
• Team/Cross-Functional Interview: Interviews with potential colleagues (other engineers, product managers, designers) to evaluate collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit within the team and Barclays.
• Final Interview: Potentially a discussion with a senior leader or Principal Engineer to confirm suitability and address any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest UI projects that best showcase your skills in modern JavaScript frameworks (React/Angular), Java/Spring Boot integration, and user experience design.
• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you solved, your specific contributions, the technologies used, and the positive outcomes (e.g., improved user engagement, reduced task completion time, enhanced performance). Use metrics wherever possible.
• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to walk through your development process, from understanding requirements through to testing and deployment. Highlight your approach to code quality, testing, and collaboration.
• Tailor to Barclays: If possible, research Barclays' current technology stack and design principles. Frame your project examples in a way that aligns with their likely needs, especially within a financial services context.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle technical challenges, and how you mentor others.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Challenge: Practice solving common UI coding problems, focusing on algorithm efficiency, clean code, and framework-specific syntax. Be prepared for challenges involving state management, component design, and API integration.
• System Design/Architecture: For senior roles, be ready to discuss how you would design a scalable UI architecture for a complex application, considering factors like performance, security, and maintainability.
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and handling challenging situations. Focus on examples demonstrating the Barclays Values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship) and Mindset (Empower, Challenge, Drive).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is inferred based on standard practices for senior engineering roles at large financial institutions. The portfolio review and challenge preparation sections are tailored to the specific technical requirements (UI, Java, Microservices) and the implied seniority of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Languages: Java (with Spring Boot), JavaScript, TypeScript.
• Front-end Frameworks: React or Angular (proficiency in at least one is essential).
• Microservices Framework: Spring Boot.
• Version Control: Git (e.g., GitHub, GitLab).
• Build Tools: Maven or Gradle.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal Barclays solutions for tracking user behavior and application performance.
• Logging & Monitoring: Solutions such as Splunk, ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana), or Datadog for application health monitoring and debugging.
• Dashboarding: Tools for creating performance dashboards, potentially Tableau, Power BI, or custom solutions.

CRM & Automation:

• CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or similar for automated build, test, and deployment pipelines.
• Cloud Platform: AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a highly valued skill, suggesting usage of services like EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, etc.
• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes (for deployment and orchestration).
• IDE: IntelliJ IDEA or similar IDEs for Java development; VS Code or similar for front-end development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is populated directly from the "AI_key_skills" and "AI_keywords" provided in the input data, with additional context added for how these tools are typically used in a modern software engineering environment. The emphasis on AWS and CI/CD tools points to a modern, cloud-native development approach.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Respect: Upholding professional integrity, valuing diverse perspectives, and fostering an inclusive environment for all colleagues and clients.
• Integrity: Acting ethically and transparently in all dealings, ensuring data accuracy, and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct, especially crucial in financial services.
• Service: Prioritizing client needs and delivering exceptional service through well-designed, reliable, and user-friendly applications.
• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in all aspects of work, from code development and testing to problem-solving and collaboration, driving continuous improvement.
• Stewardship: Taking ownership of responsibilities, managing risks effectively, and contributing to the long-term sustainability and success of Barclays and its clients.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Engineers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, designers, QA, and other engineering teams to deliver cohesive solutions. Active participation in cross-functional meetings and planning sessions is key.
• Feedback Culture: A culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged through code reviews, retrospectives, and informal discussions to drive continuous improvement in code quality and team processes.
• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of technical expertise, best practices, and lessons learned through internal tech talks, documentation, and mentorship, fostering a learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Barclays Values are explicitly stated in the job description and are directly incorporated here. The collaboration style is inferred from the general expectations of a modern, agile software engineering team within a large enterprise.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Systems: Working within a large, established financial institution means dealing with legacy systems, complex integrations, and stringent regulatory requirements, demanding adaptability and strong problem-solving skills.
• Balancing Innovation and Stability: Introducing new UI technologies and approaches while ensuring the stability, security, and compliance of client-facing applications in a highly regulated industry.
• Cross-Team Dependencies: Managing dependencies with various backend teams, infrastructure, and other business units to ensure timely delivery of features and bug fixes.
• Evolving Technology Landscape: Keeping pace with rapid advancements in UI frameworks, development tools, and cloud technologies while applying them effectively within an enterprise context.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Training: Access to specialized training programs, workshops, and online courses on emerging UI technologies, cloud platforms (AWS), and advanced Java/Spring Boot development.
• Industry Certifications: Opportunities to pursue certifications in areas like AWS cloud computing, specific front-end frameworks, or Agile methodologies.
• Mentorship Programs: Participation in formal or informal mentorship programs, both as a mentee to learn from senior engineers and architects, and as a mentor to develop leadership skills.
• Internal Mobility & Exposure: Opportunities to work on diverse projects across different business units within Barclays, gaining exposure to various technical challenges and business domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are derived from the industry context (financial services), company size (large enterprise), and the technical requirements of the role. Growth opportunities are standard for senior tech roles in large corporations, tailored to the specific skills mentioned.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UI Strategy: "How would you approach designing a new feature for our client-facing collections portal to improve user engagement and reduce call volumes? What metrics would you track to measure success?" (Focus on user-centric design, data-driven decision-making, and quantifiable outcomes).
• Technical Leadership: "Describe a time you mentored a junior engineer or led a complex technical initiative. What were the challenges, and how did you ensure successful delivery?" (Highlight leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a critical UI bug is reported on a production system that is impacting client transactions. How would you diagnose and resolve this issue under pressure?" (Demonstrate structured troubleshooting, prioritization, and communication under duress).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Barclays Values: "Can you provide an example of how you've demonstrated Integrity or Excellence in a previous role, especially within a regulated environment?" (Prepare specific examples aligned with Barclays' stated values).
• Team Dynamics: "How do you approach collaborating with designers and backend engineers to ensure a cohesive product experience? What is your preferred method for giving and receiving feedback?" (Showcase teamwork and communication skills).
• Impact Measurement: "How do you ensure your UI work directly contributes to business objectives, such as improving client satisfaction or operational efficiency?" (Link technical contributions to business outcomes).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio walkthroughs as compelling stories: the problem, your solution, your specific actions, and the measurable results.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Be prepared to share live demos or detailed screenshots of your projects. Focus on the user interface, code structure, and any unique technical challenges you overcame.
• Technical Depth: Be ready to answer deep technical questions about your choices of frameworks, architectural patterns, and implementation details. Explain the "why" behind your decisions.
• Conciseness: Given time constraints, focus on the most impactful aspects of each project. Be prepared to answer follow-up questions rather than trying to cover every detail upfront.

📝 Enhancement Note: These questions are crafted to probe the specific skills and expectations outlined in the job description, including UI development, leadership, problem-solving, and alignment with Barclays' culture and values. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes practical advice for showcasing technical work effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Software Engineer - UI position at Barclays:

• Submit your application through the official Barclays careers portal via the provided URL.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with Java, Spring Boot, Microservices, and modern JavaScript frameworks (React/Angular). Quantify achievements with metrics wherever possible, focusing on UI development, performance, and any leadership or mentoring experience.
• Portfolio Preparation: Select 2-3 of your most relevant UI projects. Prepare to discuss your contributions, technical decisions, and the impact of these projects. If possible, create a concise presentation or have live demos ready.
• Interview Practice: Review common UI interview questions, behavioral questions, and be ready to discuss your approach to system design and problem-solving. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Barclays' mission, values, and recent developments. Understand the context of the Customer Care and Collections/Recoveries domain to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.

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