UI Software Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Software Engineer Company: Darktrace Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom / London, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Software Engineering (UI/Frontend) Date Posted: 2026-02-20 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (minimum 2 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and implement cutting-edge user interfaces for cybersecurity solutions, focusing on dynamic UIs and enhanced user experience.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including backend engineers, UX designers, and product managers, to ensure seamless integration of UI components with core systems.
• Optimize front-end performance for speed, scalability, and responsiveness across various devices and browsers.
• Contribute to a proactive approach to cyber resilience by ensuring applications meet accessibility standards (WCAG) and deliver an inclusive user experience.
• Maintain high-quality code, documentation, and participate actively in code reviews to uphold development best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job title is "UI Software Engineer," the context of Darktrace's work in AI for cybersecurity suggests this role will involve building interfaces for complex security platforms. Therefore, the role summary emphasizes the application of UI engineering skills within a technically demanding, data-rich environment, requiring a strong understanding of performance, scalability, and integration with backend systems.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and implement reusable UI components using modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.
• Ensure all developed user interfaces adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to provide an inclusive and accessible experience for all users.
• Optimize front-end architecture and code for maximum speed, scalability, and responsiveness across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
• Collaborate effectively with backend engineering teams to integrate APIs, manage data flow, and ensure consistency between front-end and back-end systems.
• Actively participate in design discussions, providing technical feasibility insights and contributing to the enhancement of usability and overall functionality of the platform.
• Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date technical documentation for UI components, features, and development processes.
• Proactively identify opportunities for technical debt reduction, performance improvements, and the adoption of new UI development best practices.
• Contribute to code reviews, offering constructive feedback to peers and ensuring adherence to coding standards and project requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities have been expanded to detail the practical execution of UI development within a cybersecurity context, emphasizing aspects like performance optimization for potentially large datasets, API integration for real-time security data, and adherence to accessibility standards which are critical for enterprise software.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field is highly beneficial. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of programming fundamentals, data structures, and algorithms through practical application.

Experience:

• Typically 2-5 years of professional experience in frontend/UI software engineering.
• Proven experience in translating design mockups and wireframes (e.g., from Figma) into functional, high-quality code.
• Demonstrable experience working in a production environment, managing code lifecycles, and utilizing version control systems.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in JavaScript or TypeScript for modern web application development.
• Strong command of CSS for styling and responsive design implementation.
• Hands-on experience with modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Experience with state management libraries like Redux.
• Familiarity with data fetching and caching libraries such as TanStack Query (formerly React Query).
• Proven ability to accurately translate designs from tools like Figma into pixel-perfect, functional interfaces.
• A solid understanding of User Experience (UX) principles and best practices.
• Foundational knowledge of web application security principles and common vulnerabilities.
• Proficiency with Git for version control and collaborative development workflows.
• Strong foundational knowledge of programming methodologies and data structures, especially relevant for handling large datasets common in cybersecurity.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with building and maintaining reusable component libraries.
• Familiarity with unit and integration testing frameworks for frontend applications.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and their integration with frontend development.
• Experience with performance profiling and optimization tools for web applications.
• Understanding of backend integration patterns and RESTful API design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" section has been populated with specific technologies and methodologies mentioned in the job description, such as React, Redux, TanStack Query, Figma, and WCAG. The preference for experience with large datasets is highlighted, aligning with Darktrace's cybersecurity focus.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of projects that demonstrate proficiency in building dynamic and responsive user interfaces.
• Case studies showcasing the development process, from design translation to implementation, with a focus on user experience and aesthetic accuracy.
• Examples of component-based architecture and reusable UI patterns implemented in a production-ready manner.
• Evidence of performance optimization efforts, detailing how speed, scalability, and responsiveness were achieved.
• Projects that highlight collaboration with backend services or APIs, demonstrating integration capabilities.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to translating design specifications into code, including their workflow for handling design iterations and feedback.
• An understanding of how to document UI components and their usage within a larger application framework will be beneficial.
• Ability to articulate how accessibility standards (WCAG) are integrated into the development process from the outset.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section has been tailored to emphasize the deliverables expected from a UI Software Engineer, focusing on the practical demonstration of skills through a portfolio and the ability to articulate their development processes, particularly concerning design implementation and accessibility.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Mid-Level UI Software Engineers in the UK (Cambridge/London), with 2-5 years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically fall between £45,000 and £70,000 per annum. This estimate considers the specialized skills required (React, Redux, TanStack Query, Figma, WCAG) and the high-tech cybersecurity industry.

Benefits:

• 23 days’ holiday per year, plus all UK public holidays (increasing to 25 days after 2 years of service).
• An additional day off for your birthday.
• Comprehensive private medical insurance covering the employee, their cohabiting partner, and children.
• Life insurance benefit equivalent to 4 times the employee's base salary.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme for tax-efficient retirement savings.
• Enhanced family leave policies to support new parents.
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program offering support for personal and professional well-being.
• Cycle to work scheme, promoting sustainable commuting options.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week. The role is hybrid, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in either the Cambridge or London office.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on typical UK market rates for this experience level and skillset. The benefits listed in the input have been presented clearly.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Darktrace is a significant player in the AI-driven cybersecurity market, providing proactive solutions to protect organizations from evolving cyber threats. Company Size: Darktrace employs over 2,400 individuals globally, indicating a medium-to-large enterprise structure with established processes and a significant market presence. Founded: 2013. This relatively young company has grown rapidly, suggesting a dynamic, innovative, and fast-paced culture, likely with a strong emphasis on R&D and cutting-edge technology.

Team Structure:

• The UI Software Engineer will likely be part of a dedicated engineering team, possibly within a larger product development department.
• This team will include other frontend engineers, backend engineers, UX/UI designers, and product managers, fostering a collaborative environment.
• Reporting structure will likely be to an Engineering Manager or Lead Developer, with close interaction with product ownership.

Methodology:

• Darktrace emphasizes its proprietary AI technology, suggesting a data-driven and analytical approach to problem-solving.
• For UI development, this translates to a focus on user insights, data visualization (potentially for security threats), and performance metrics.
• Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) are commonly adopted in such tech environments for iterative development and rapid response to market needs.

Company Website: http://www.darktrace.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context has been inferred from the provided description, highlighting Darktrace's position in the AI cybersecurity market and suggesting cultural implications for an engineering role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UI Software Engineer, typically requiring 2-5 years of experience. It represents a stage where engineers are expected to contribute independently, mentor junior colleagues, and take ownership of significant features or components. Reporting Structure: The UI Software Engineer will likely report to an Engineering Manager or a Senior/Lead UI Engineer. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Backend Engineers within a cross-functional team. Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role, the UI Software Engineer's work directly impacts the usability and effectiveness of Darktrace's AI cybersecurity platform. High-quality, intuitive interfaces are crucial for security analysts to effectively monitor threats, respond to incidents, and leverage the full capabilities of the AI. This role contributes to customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and the overall perception of Darktrace's cutting-edge technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in frontend frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), state management, performance optimization, and accessibility standards.
• Cross-Functional Learning: Gain exposure to backend development, API design, UX principles, and product management through collaboration.
• Leadership Potential: Progress to Senior UI Engineer, Lead Engineer, or Architect roles, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior engineers, and influencing technical direction.
• Domain Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in cybersecurity, AI, and threat intelligence, becoming a valuable asset in this niche industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the UI Software Engineer role within a broader career development context, highlighting how technical skills and domain knowledge can lead to growth within Darktrace.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in either the Cambridge or London office. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration, with dedicated workspaces and meeting areas. Office Location(s): Cambridge and London, United Kingdom. These are major tech hubs, offering access to talent, innovation, and a vibrant professional community. Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to foster collaboration, with opportunities to interact with diverse teams (backend, product, design).
• Access to modern development tools, high-performance workstations, and robust network infrastructure is anticipated.
• The workspace will likely support both focused individual work and team-based problem-solving sessions.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with the flexibility to balance in-office and remote workdays to meet the hybrid requirement. This structure allows for focused coding sessions and collaborative meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment details are derived from the hybrid nature of the role and the specified office locations, emphasizing collaboration and access to resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Technical Assessment: This may involve a coding challenge (e.g., a small project or a live coding exercise) focusing on JavaScript, React, and problem-solving skills. Emphasis will be on writing clean, efficient, and production-ready code.
• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions with engineering team members. Expect questions on JavaScript fundamentals, React concepts (hooks, state management, component lifecycle), CSS, performance optimization, API integration, and web application security.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through selected projects from your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your role, technical decisions, challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or senior leader to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and strategic alignment with Darktrace's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills in React, responsive design, and desirable features like performance optimization or accessibility.
• Highlight Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem it solved, your specific contributions, the technologies used, and the measurable results (e.g., improved load times, better user engagement, successful feature implementation).
• Showcase Code Quality: Ensure your GitHub repository (if linked) is well-organized, with clean code, clear README files, and ideally, some form of automated testing.
• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to deep-dive into the technical details of your work, explain design choices, and discuss trade-offs made during development.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice React: Revisit core React concepts, including Hooks, Context API, state management with Redux, and data fetching with TanStack Query.
• Figma to Code: Practice translating Figma designs into functional components quickly and accurately. Pay attention to detail in layout, styling, and responsiveness.
• Problem-Solving: Prepare for algorithmic and data structure questions, especially those related to handling large datasets, as highlighted in the requirements.
• Web Security Fundamentals: Refresh your knowledge on common web vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, CSRF) and how to mitigate them in frontend development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review tips are designed to be highly specific to a UI Software Engineer role, emphasizing practical coding, design translation, and the demonstration of technical proficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Frontend Frameworks: React (primary), Angular, Vue.js (familiarity with at least one is key).
• State Management: Redux.
• Data Fetching/Caching: TanStack Query (formerly React Query).
• Styling: CSS, potentially with preprocessors like SASS/LESS or CSS-in-JS solutions.
• Version Control: Git.
• Design Tools: Figma (for translating designs).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly owning analytics tools, understanding how UI impacts user behavior and data collection is important. Familiarity with analytics integration (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) might be beneficial.
• Experience with performance monitoring tools (e.g., Lighthouse, WebPageTest) for optimization.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI role, but understanding how the UI interacts with backend systems that might interface with CRM or automation platforms is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack has been explicitly detailed based on the "key skills" and "requirements" provided, with an emphasis on the core frontend technologies for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A strong drive to develop cutting-edge AI and cybersecurity solutions, valuing creative problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork across diverse disciplines (engineering, design, product, sales) to achieve common goals.
• Excellence: Commitment to high-quality code, robust solutions, and delivering exceptional user experiences.
• Agility: Ability to adapt quickly to evolving threats and market demands, fostering a responsive and dynamic work environment.
• Customer Focus: Dedication to protecting organizations and ensuring their cyber resilience through effective technology.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a collaborative environment where engineers work closely with designers to bring interfaces to life, and with backend teams to ensure seamless data integration.
• Regular code reviews and knowledge-sharing sessions are likely part of the team's workflow, promoting continuous learning and best practices.
• Cross-functional teams are common, requiring strong communication skills to effectively convey technical ideas and requirements to non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Company values are inferred from Darktrace's mission and industry, applied to the context of a software engineering team.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving Threat Landscape: Keeping pace with new cybersecurity threats and translating them into effective UI solutions for monitoring and response.
• Complex Data Visualization: Developing intuitive interfaces to represent complex, high-volume security data for analysts.
• Balancing Performance and Features: Optimizing frontend performance while incorporating advanced features and ensuring a rich user experience.
• Cross-Browser/Device Compatibility: Ensuring consistent and high-quality user experiences across a wide range of browsers and devices.
• Maintaining Accessibility Standards: Continuously ensuring compliance with WCAG across all UI components and updates.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Frontend Technologies: Deepen expertise in React, explore new frontend patterns, and learn about emerging JavaScript frameworks.
• Cybersecurity Domain Knowledge: Gain a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, threat intelligence, and how AI is applied in this field.
• Performance Engineering: Develop advanced skills in frontend performance tuning, profiling, and optimization techniques.
• Leadership Track: Potential to move into senior engineering, team lead, or architectural roles, guiding technical strategy and mentoring junior engineers.
• Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend relevant tech conferences and pursue certifications in frontend development or cybersecurity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are tailored to the specific role of a UI Engineer in a cybersecurity context, focusing on both technical and domain-specific growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a complex UI you've built and the challenges you faced." Prepare a case study from your portfolio, focusing on your problem-solving approach, technical decisions, and the impact of your work. Emphasize React, Redux, TanStack Query, and Figma integration.
• "How do you ensure your UI is performant and scalable?" Discuss your strategies for code splitting, lazy loading, optimizing API calls, efficient state management, and frontend caching. Be ready to talk about tools you’ve used for performance analysis.
• "Describe your process for translating a Figma design into a production-ready React component." Detail your workflow, including understanding design specs, creating reusable components, handling responsiveness, and ensuring accessibility.
• "How do you approach web application security from a frontend perspective?" Discuss common vulnerabilities (XSS, CSRF) and how you mitigate them, secure API interactions, and handle sensitive data.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Darktrace and the cybersecurity industry?" Research Darktrace's mission, products, and recent news. Connect your interest to their AI-driven approach and commitment to cyber resilience.
• "How do you handle constructive criticism or disagreements within a team?" Prepare examples of how you've collaborated, given and received feedback, and resolved technical differences professionally.
• "What are your thoughts on accessibility (WCAG) in UI development?" Demonstrate your understanding of its importance and how you incorporate it into your workflow.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the technologies used (highlighting React, Redux, TanStack Query, Figma), your key contributions, challenges overcome, and the measurable outcomes.
• Technical Depth: Be prepared to explain your code, architectural decisions, and trade-offs. Show, don't just tell.
• Conciseness: Present your strongest points efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.
• Engagement: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be ready to answer questions about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is highly specific, focusing on technical questions relevant to React, performance, security, and portfolio presentation strategies.

---

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Software Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.
• Tailor your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Redux, TanStack Query, and Figma. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved page load times by X% through optimization").
• Prepare your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that showcase your UI development skills. Ensure your GitHub repository is clean, well-documented, and accessible.
• Practice your Pitch: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and be ready to discuss your technical decisions and problem-solving approach confidently.
• Research Darktrace: Understand their mission, products, and culture to articulate your interest and cultural fit effectively.

⚠️ 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.