UI Developer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Developer Company: Barclays Location: Canary Wharf, 1 Churchill Place, London, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Technology / Software Engineering / UI Development Date Posted: 2025-10-10 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design, develop, and continuously improve high-quality software solutions leveraging modern UI frameworks and engineering methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and fellow engineers to translate business requirements into scalable, maintainable, and optimized front-end applications.
• Champion a culture of code quality, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning through peer code reviews and active participation in technology communities.
• Implement robust testing strategies and adhere to secure coding practices to ensure software reliability, security, and performance.
• Contribute to the evolution of our technology stack and development processes, staying abreast of industry trends and innovations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the description and Barclays' standing as a major financial institution, this role is clearly positioned within a corporate technology environment focused on delivering robust financial services platforms. The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section suggests a mid-level to senior individual contributor role with significant influence and potential for leadership. The emphasis on "business, platform, and technology capabilities" indicates a need for developers who understand the broader impact of their code.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver high-quality, scalable, and performant UI software solutions using industry-aligned programming languages, frameworks (especially React), and tools.
• Actively participate in cross-functional team discussions to define software requirements, architect solution strategies, and ensure seamless integration with backend services and business objectives.
• Engage in peer code reviews, providing constructive feedback to uphold code quality, promote best practices, and foster knowledge transfer within the engineering team.
• Proactively research and stay informed about emerging UI technologies, frameworks, and engineering trends, contributing insights to internal technology communities and driving innovation.
• Implement and maintain secure coding practices to mitigate vulnerabilities, protect sensitive customer and business data, and ensure the overall security posture of the developed software.
• Design and implement effective unit and integration tests using frameworks like Jest and React Testing Library to ensure code correctness, readability, and reliability.
• Collaborate with product managers and designers to refine user stories, ensure technical feasibility, and deliver exceptional user experiences that align with business goals.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes, including CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and Agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Assistant Vice President Expectations" indicates a role that requires not just technical execution but also strategic input, influencing decision-making, and potentially guiding less experienced team members. Responsibilities extend beyond pure coding to include policy contribution, risk mitigation, and cross-functional advocacy.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is generally expected for this level of role in a financial institution.

Experience: 2-5 years of professional experience in UI development, with a strong focus on front-end technologies and building complex web applications. Experience within the financial services industry is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in UI frameworks, with a specific emphasis on React.
• Deep understanding of core web technologies, including HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (ES6+), and principles of responsive and adaptive design.
• Proven experience with state management libraries such as Redux, Context API, or MobX.
• Demonstrated ability in building scalable, reusable, and maintainable UI components.
• Proficiency with modern testing frameworks like Jest and React Testing Library for robust code validation.
• Experience with debugging tools and techniques to identify and resolve front-end issues efficiently.
• Familiarity with version control systems, particularly Git.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with distributed caching solutions (e.g., Ignite, Redis, Gemfire).
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
• Experience working with messaging platforms (e.g., MQ, TIBCO, Kafka, Solace).
• Knowledge of CI/CD principles, DevOps practices, containerization (e.g., Docker), and Agile software development methodologies.
• Experience with Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) like Oracle, MS-SQL, or PostgreSQL.
• Familiarity with workflow orchestration and process automation tools, such as Camunda BPM, including BPMN 2.0.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section implies a need for broader business acumen, strategic thinking, and risk management skills beyond core UI development. This suggests that candidates with experience influencing stakeholders, developing policies, or contributing to control frameworks will be highly regarded.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant UI projects demonstrating expertise in React and responsive design principles.
• For each project, provide clear documentation of the problem statement, the chosen technical approach, and the specific UI challenges overcome.
• Highlight successful implementation of state management solutions and reusable component architectures.
• Include examples of how automated testing was integrated to ensure code quality and maintainability.
• Quantify the impact of your UI contributions where possible, such as improvements in user engagement, performance metrics, or reduction in UI-related bugs.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting UI development workflows, from requirements gathering and wireframing through to implementation and testing.
• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or improved existing development processes, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and maintainability.
• Showcase an understanding of how UI development integrates with backend services and overall system architecture, including API consumption and data handling.
• Illustrate an approach to managing technical debt and planning for future enhancements or refactoring efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Assistant Vice President Expectations" and the emphasis on risk and controls, candidates should be prepared to discuss how their development processes contribute to overall system stability and compliance. The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of these broader concerns.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a UI Developer role at the Assistant Vice President level in London, the estimated annual salary range is typically between £60,000 and £90,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the exact level of responsibility within the AVP band.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.
• Defined contribution pension scheme with employer matching.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.
• Access to employee assistance programs and well-being initiatives.
• Potential for share purchase plans or other long-term incentive schemes.
• Discounts on various Barclays products and services.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility often provided for core working hours to accommodate personal needs and optimize productivity. Specific schedules will be discussed during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for mid-level to senior UI Developers in London, considering the financial sector and the described AVP-level responsibilities. Barclays, as a large financial institution, typically offers a robust benefits package competitive with industry standards.

🎯 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.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees). This implies a structured environment with established processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for specialization and career progression across various departments and geographies.

Founded: 1690. Barclays has a long and rich history, evolving from a small banking business to a major global financial institution. This history suggests a culture that values stability, integrity, and long-term vision, while also embracing innovation to remain competitive.

Team Structure:

• The UI Development team is likely part of a larger Technology or Engineering division, potentially within a specific business unit (e.g., Retail Banking Technology, Corporate & Investment Bank Technology).
• The team structure will involve a hierarchy, with roles such as Lead Engineers, Senior Developers, Developers (like this UI Developer role), and potentially Technical Architects. Reporting lines would typically lead up to a Team Lead or Engineering Manager, and further up to a Director or Vice President.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with UI Developers working closely with Product Managers, Business Analysts, UX/UI Designers, Backend Engineers, QA Testers, DevOps Engineers, and Security specialists.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: UI development will be informed by user analytics, A/B testing results, and feedback from product teams to drive iterative improvements and feature development.
• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Agile methodologies (Scrum or Kanban) are standard for planning sprints, managing backlogs, and optimizing the development workflow for efficiency and responsiveness.
• Automation & Efficiency: Emphasis on CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and efficient coding practices to accelerate delivery cycles and ensure high-quality releases.

Company Website: https://home.barclays/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a large, established financial institution, Barclays likely emphasizes a culture of integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship. The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" indicate a need for individuals who are not only technically proficient but also possess strong business acumen and a commitment to risk management and control.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level to Senior Individual Contributor (Assistant Vice President). This level signifies a move beyond purely task-execution to influencing technical direction, mentoring junior colleagues, and taking ownership of significant parts of the development lifecycle. Responsibilities include complex problem-solving, contributing to policy, and ensuring operational effectiveness in their domain.

Reporting Structure: This role will likely report to a Team Lead, Engineering Manager, or a higher-level AVP/VP within the technology department. Collaboration will be extensive with peers, product owners, designers, and backend engineering teams.

Operations Impact: The UI Developer's work directly impacts the user experience for Barclays' customers and colleagues, influencing customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the adoption of digital services. High-quality UI development contributes to the bank's reputation for reliability and innovation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in React, explore new front-end technologies, and gain proficiency in specialized areas like performance optimization, accessibility, or advanced state management.
• Technical Leadership: Progress to a Senior UI Developer or Tech Lead role, taking ownership of architectural decisions, leading feature development, and mentoring junior developers.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunity to transition into roles like Frontend Architect, Product Management, or even specialized areas within DevOps or Engineering Management, leveraging a strong understanding of the full software development lifecycle.
• Industry Certifications: Pursue certifications in cloud technologies, Agile methodologies, or specific development frameworks to enhance professional credentials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of "Assistant Vice President Expectations" points to a role where career growth involves increasing responsibility, strategic influence, and potentially people leadership. The emphasis on "leading collaborative assignments" and "guiding team members" suggests a clear path toward more senior technical or leadership positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office environment within a modern financial district. The role is based on-site at Barclays' Canary Wharf location.

Office Location(s): Canary Wharf, 1 Churchill Place, London, United Kingdom. This is a major financial hub, offering excellent transport links and a vibrant working atmosphere.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect an open-plan office layout or designated team areas designed to foster collaboration and spontaneous knowledge sharing among developers, product teams, and other stakeholders.
• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to robust development workstations, high-speed internet, and the full suite of Barclays' approved software development tools, including IDEs, collaboration platforms, and testing environments.
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with UI developers, backend engineers, product managers, designers, and QA testers through daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and ad-hoc discussions.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. While a structured office presence is required, Barclays often promotes a culture that balances business needs with employee well-being, potentially allowing for some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team and business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Canary Wharf suggests a dynamic, fast-paced environment typical of major financial institutions, emphasizing in-person collaboration and access to corporate resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Screening: Initial review of CV and application against the stated requirements.
2. Recruiter/HR Screen: A preliminary conversation to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.
3. Technical Interview(s): In-depth technical assessments, which may include:
   • Live coding challenges focusing on React, JavaScript, and problem-solving.
   • Discussion of core web technologies, responsive design principles, and state management.
   • Scenario-based questions assessing debugging skills and approach to common UI challenges.
   • Review of your portfolio projects, focusing on your specific contributions, technical decisions, and outcomes.
4. Hiring Manager/Team Lead Interview: Focused on assessing experience, leadership potential (especially for AVP level), strategic thinking, and alignment with team dynamics and Barclays' values.
5. Final Round/Panel Interview: May involve senior stakeholders to evaluate business acumen, risk awareness, and overall suitability for the AVP level role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your expertise in React, responsive design, and complex UI development. Prioritize projects where you had significant ownership and can speak to your technical decisions in detail.
• Quantify Impact: For each project, be prepared to discuss the business problem, your solution, and the quantifiable results (e.g., improved performance metrics, user engagement, conversion rates, reduction in load times).
• Highlight Process: Explain your development process, including how you approached requirements, chose technologies, managed state, implemented testing, and collaborated with others.
• Technical Depth: Be ready to dive deep into the technical aspects of your projects, explaining architectural choices, trade-offs made, and challenges overcome.
• Tailor to Barclays: If possible, subtly align your project examples with the types of applications or challenges a financial institution might face (e.g., data visualization, secure user interfaces, complex forms).

Challenge Preparation:

• Whiteboarding/Live Coding: Practice solving algorithm and data structure problems, and implementing common UI patterns in JavaScript and React under timed conditions. Focus on clear communication of your thought process.
• System Design (UI Focus): Prepare to discuss how you would architect a complex UI feature or application, considering scalability, performance, maintainability, and security.
• Behavioral Questions: Anticipate questions related to teamwork, problem-solving, handling difficult stakeholders, managing conflicting priorities, and demonstrating Barclays' values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Assistant Vice President Expectations" section heavily influences the interview process. Expect a greater emphasis on strategic thinking, influencing skills, risk management, and the ability to guide others, in addition to core technical competencies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UI Framework: React (primary requirement)
• JavaScript/TypeScript: ES6+ JavaScript, potentially TypeScript for enhanced type safety.
• State Management: Redux, Context API, MobX.
• Build Tools: Webpack, Vite, or similar module bundlers.
• Version Control: Git (essential).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal Barclays tracking solutions.
• Performance Monitoring: Tools for tracking page load times, rendering performance, and JavaScript errors.
• Dashboarding: Potential use of internal dashboards or tools like Tableau/Power BI for visualizing UI performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: While not directly a UI developer tool, understanding how front-end applications integrate with CRM systems (like Salesforce) for customer-facing features is beneficial.
• Automation: Experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps), automated testing frameworks (Jest, React Testing Library), and potentially configuration management tools.
• Integration: Understanding of RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and how to integrate front-end applications with backend services.
• Workflow Orchestration (Preferred): Camunda BPM for understanding process automation where UI might be involved in user task completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Skills" list provides a strong indication of the broader technology ecosystem the UI Developer will interact with, including cloud platforms, messaging queues, and data management systems. While the primary focus is UI, awareness of these adjacent technologies is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment for all team members and stakeholders.
• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in coding, data handling, and decision-making, especially critical in a financial institution.
• Service: Committing to delivering excellent user experiences and reliable technology solutions that meet the needs of customers and colleagues.
• Excellence: Striving for high-quality code, robust performance, and continuous improvement in all aspects of development and process.
• Stewardship: Taking responsibility for the long-term health, security, and maintainability of the software systems developed, acting as a custodian of company assets and data.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A highly collaborative approach, working seamlessly with product managers, designers, backend engineers, and QA throughout the development lifecycle.
• Process Review & Feedback: An open culture for providing and receiving constructive feedback on code, design decisions, and development processes, fostering continuous learning.
• Knowledge Sharing: Active participation in sharing technical knowledge, best practices, and insights through code reviews, internal documentation, and team discussions to elevate the collective skill level.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Barclays Values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship) and the Barclays Mindset (Empower, Challenge, Drive) suggests that cultural fit and alignment with these principles are as important as technical skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Integrating new UI technologies and features while maintaining the stability, security, and compliance required in a regulated financial environment.
• Complex Legacy Systems Integration: Ensuring seamless integration of modern front-end applications with potentially older, enterprise-level backend systems.
• Performance Optimization: Achieving optimal performance and responsiveness across a wide range of user devices and network conditions, especially for data-intensive financial applications.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively managing expectations and communicating technical complexities to diverse stakeholders, including non-technical business leaders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced React & Frontend Architecture: Deepen expertise through advanced training, workshops, and hands-on experience with complex React patterns and architectural considerations.
• Cloud & DevOps Exposure: Gain practical experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and CI/CD pipelines, enhancing understanding of the end-to-end software delivery process.
• Financial Domain Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of financial products, services, and regulatory requirements, which can open doors to specialized roles within Barclays.
• Leadership Development: For individuals demonstrating potential, opportunities exist for leadership training, mentoring junior developers, and progressing into Tech Lead or management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of "Assistant Vice President Expectations" highlights growth opportunities related to influencing strategy, managing complex assignments, and potentially leading initiatives, moving beyond individual contribution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "Describe a time you had to balance delivering a new feature quickly with ensuring long-term code maintainability and scalability. How did you approach this trade-off?" (Focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, understanding of technical debt, and decision-making process).
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How would you handle a situation where a product manager's requested UI feature is technically challenging or might negatively impact performance? Walk us through your communication and negotiation strategy." (Prepare to showcase communication skills, ability to influence, and problem-solving approach).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a critical UI bug is reported just before a major release. How would you diagnose, prioritize, and resolve the issue, considering the impact on the release timeline?" (Demonstrate structured problem-solving, debugging methodology, and risk assessment).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Operations Culture: "How do you see the Barclays values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship applying to your role as a UI Developer?" (Research these values and prepare examples of how you embody them in your work).
• Operations Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal team environment for front-end development. How do you contribute to a positive and productive team dynamic?" (Focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and constructive feedback).
• Operations Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your UI development work beyond just bug fixes? What metrics do you consider important for a financial services application?" (Discuss user engagement, performance, conversion rates, satisfaction, and security).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your specific role and contributions, the technical solutions implemented (highlighting React, state management, responsive design), the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes.
• Metrics & ROI: Be prepared to present key metrics that demonstrate the impact of your work. For example, "Implemented lazy loading which reduced initial page load time by 30%, leading to a 15% increase in user session duration."
• Interactive Walkthrough: If possible, be ready to share your screen and walk through a live demo or a well-documented prototype of your project, explaining your code and design choices in real-time.
• Company-Specific Alignment: Frame your experiences and achievements in a way that resonates with the needs of a large financial institution, emphasizing reliability, security, user experience, and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AV P expectations means interview questions will probe deeper into strategic thinking, risk management, and influence, rather than just technical execution. Your portfolio should reflect these higher-level contributions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Developer position:

• Submit your comprehensive application, including your CV and any requested supplementary documents, via the Barclays careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and any linked portfolio highlight your most relevant React, UI framework, and responsive design experience. Tailor your project descriptions to emphasize achievements that align with the requirements, such as building scalable components, implementing state management, and ensuring code quality.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your years of experience and specific skills in React, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and testing frameworks. Quantify your achievements with metrics wherever possible (e.g., "Improved page load speed by X%", "Reduced UI bugs by Y%").
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Barclays' mission, values, and recent technological initiatives. Practice answering behavioral questions that demonstrate the Barclays Mindset (Empower, Challenge, Drive) and values, as well as technical questions related to React and front-end development. Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail.
• Company Research: Understand Barclays' position in the financial services industry, its commitment to technology, and the importance of user experience in banking. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to their strategic goals.

⚠️ 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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