Senior Frontend Developer, UX Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Frontend Developer, UX Specialist

Company: Affinity Credit Union

Location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Software Engineering / UX Design

Date Posted: June 12, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Architect and develop sophisticated user-facing features for critical banking and back-office applications, ensuring seamless integration with internal and external APIs.

• Design and implement a comprehensive design framework utilizing modern design language principles to create standardized, reusable components and applications.

• Drive frontend performance optimization initiatives to deliver a fast, responsive, and intuitive user experience for both members and internal staff.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with UX designers, product owners, and backend API developers to translate complex business requirements into elegant, user-centric web solutions.

• Mentor junior developers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning within the development team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges senior frontend development with a strong emphasis on UX specialization, indicating a focus on creating highly functional and user-friendly interfaces within the financial services sector. The requirement for 7+ years of experience suggests a significant level of autonomy and leadership potential.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect and develop robust, scalable, and maintainable user-facing features for core banking systems and internal back-office applications, incorporating advanced error handling, validation, and state management techniques.

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive design system and framework using modern design language principles to ensure consistency, reusability, and efficiency across all user interfaces.

• Write clean, well-documented, thoroughly tested, and professional-grade code that adheres to established development standards, prioritizing long-term system reliability and maintainability.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders, product owners, and backend API development teams to deeply understand business needs and translate them into intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly web applications that streamline banking operations.

• Proactively identify and implement strategies for frontend performance optimization, ensuring rapid load times, smooth interactions, and an exceptional user experience across all supported devices and browsers.

• Integrate internal and external APIs effectively, managing data flow, state, and potential errors to create a cohesive and functional application experience.

• Leverage design tools such as Figma to collaborate effectively with UX designers, ensuring accurate translation of visual designs and user flows into production-ready code.

• Mentor and guide junior frontend developers, fostering their technical growth and promoting best practices in coding, testing, and UI/UX development.

• Stay abreast of emerging frontend technologies, frameworks, and best practices, evaluating their potential application to enhance the credit union's digital offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical architecture, hands-on development, and team leadership. The emphasis on "banking systems and back-office applications" combined with "streamline banking operations" indicates a need for understanding financial industry nuances and compliance.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A post-secondary diploma or degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a closely related field.

• Preference for candidates with a Bachelor's degree, demonstrating a foundational understanding of computer science principles. Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in frontend development, with a strong track record of building complex web applications.

• Proven experience in mentoring junior developers or leading small development teams is highly desirable. Required Skills:

• Modern JavaScript Frameworks: Deep proficiency in at least one modern JavaScript framework (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js), including state management solutions.

• HTML5 & CSS3: Expert-level understanding and practical application of semantic HTML5 and advanced CSS3 techniques, including responsive design principles and preprocessors (e.g., Sass, Less).

• Frontend Performance Optimization: Demonstrated expertise in techniques for optimizing frontend performance, including code splitting, lazy loading, image optimization, and minimizing render-blocking resources.

• API Integration: Practical experience integrating with RESTful APIs, handling asynchronous operations, and managing data effectively in a frontend context.

• UX Design Principles: Strong understanding of user experience (UX) design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and the ability to translate design mockups into functional, intuitive interfaces.

• Version Control: Proficiency with Git and collaborative development workflows (e.g., Gitflow, pull requests).

• Testing Frameworks: Experience writing unit and integration tests for frontend applications using frameworks like Jest, Mocha, or Cypress.

Preferred Skills:

• Figma: Hands-on experience with design tools such as Figma for collaborating with UX designers and translating designs into code.

• AI-assisted Development Tools: Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools and practices, including code generation, automated testing, and intelligent code completion to enhance productivity.

• Design Systems: Experience in designing, building, or maintaining design systems and component libraries.

• Web Accessibility (WCAG): Knowledge of web accessibility standards and best practices to ensure applications are usable by everyone.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working in Agile or Scrum development environments.

• CI/CD Pipelines: Familiarity with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment concepts and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "7 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience" clause allows for flexibility, but the "7 years" suggests a senior-level expectation. The mention of AI-assisted development tools is a forward-looking requirement, indicating the company's interest in adopting cutting-edge technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated UI/UX Architecture: Showcase projects where you architected complex user interfaces, emphasizing your approach to component design, state management, and overall application structure.

• Process Optimization Case Studies: Include examples of how you improved frontend performance, user experience, or development efficiency on previous projects, quantifying the impact (e.g., reduced load times, increased user engagement).

• Design System Contributions: If applicable, present examples of contributions to design systems or reusable component libraries, highlighting your understanding of maintainability and scalability.

• API Integration Examples: Illustrate projects where you effectively integrated with backend APIs, demonstrating your ability to handle data flow, error states, and asynchronous operations.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Be prepared to discuss your process for designing new features, optimizing existing workflows, and ensuring code quality through reviews and testing.

• System Implementation Standards: Articulate your approach to implementing new frontend technologies, frameworks, or design patterns in a team environment, considering maintainability and long-term support.

• Performance Measurement and Analysis: Detail how you measure and analyze frontend performance, and how you use this data to drive improvements and inform development decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Frontend Developer with UX specialization, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase visual output but also the underlying thought process, architectural decisions, and demonstrable impact on user experience and performance. The emphasis on "process" indicates a need to explain how work is done, not just what has been done.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on the location (Saskatchewan, Canada), experience level (7+ years), and the senior nature of this role, the estimated salary range for a Senior Frontend Developer, UX Specialist is CAD $90,000 - CAD $130,000 annually. This range accounts for the specialized skills in frontend development, UX expertise, and the financial sector context. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health and Dental Coverage: Ensuring employee well-being with robust medical and dental plans.

• Pension Plan: A defined contribution or defined benefit pension plan for long-term financial security.

• Health Spending Account: Additional flexible funds for health-related expenses not fully covered by insurance.

• Generous Vacation Time: Ample paid time off to promote work-life balance and employee rejuvenation.

• Personal Days Off: Flexibility for personal needs and appointments.

• Paid Volunteer Day: Encouraging community involvement and social responsibility.

• Referral Bonus Program: Incentives for employees who successfully refer qualified candidates to the company.

• Performance-Based Bonuses: Opportunities for additional compensation tied to individual and company performance.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.

• Affinity Credit Union likely offers some flexibility within standard business hours, allowing for focused work time and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior frontend developers in Canada, adjusted for Saskatchewan's cost of living and the specific demands of a specialized UX role within a credit union. The benefits package is comprehensive and aligns with typical offerings for established organizations in Canada.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Credit Union)

• Affinity Credit Union operates within the financial services sector, specifically as a member-owned cooperative. This industry demands high levels of trust, security, reliability, and a strong focus on member experience. The operations within a credit union are geared towards providing financial products and services efficiently and ethically, with a member-centric approach.

Company Size: Medium-sized organization (specific number not provided, but typical for credit unions).

• A medium-sized company often means a balance between established processes and the agility to adopt new technologies. For operations professionals, this can translate to opportunities for broader impact, direct interaction with leadership, and a chance to shape processes. The development team is likely integrated within a larger IT or Digital Transformation department.

Founded: Information not explicitly provided, but credit unions typically have a long history rooted in community support.

• This suggests a company culture that values stability, long-term relationships, and community involvement. The operational focus would likely be on sustainable growth and member satisfaction over aggressive, short-term gains. Team Structure:

• Operations Team: The role is within a development team, likely part of a broader IT or Digital Solutions department. This team will collaborate closely with Product Management, Business Analysts, UX Designers, and Backend API developers.

• Reporting Structure: The Senior Frontend Developer will likely report to a Development Manager, Lead Developer, or Head of Digital. They are expected to work autonomously but also contribute to team decision-making and mentorship.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Essential for this role, involving close partnerships with UX/UI designers, backend developers, business stakeholders, and potentially compliance or security teams to ensure features meet all requirements.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis and Insights: While not a data analyst role, frontend development heavily relies on user behavior data, performance metrics, and A/B testing results to inform design and development decisions.

• Workflow Planning and Optimization: Focus on efficient development workflows, agile methodologies, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices to deliver features rapidly and reliably.

• Automation and Efficiency Practices: Utilizing tools and techniques to automate repetitive tasks in development, testing, and deployment to maximize team productivity and code quality.

Company Website: affinitycu.ca

• Reviewing the website will provide insights into their brand, member offerings, and overall digital presence, which is crucial for understanding the context of the frontend development work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the credit union model is key. It's member-owned, which often translates to a culture focused on member value and community, rather than shareholder profit. This shapes the operational priorities towards long-term stability and service excellence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Technical Lead

• This role represents a significant step in a frontend development career. As a Senior Frontend Developer, you are expected to not only be a highly skilled practitioner but also a technical leader, capable of architecting solutions, setting technical direction for projects, and mentoring others. The "UX Specialist" aspect adds a layer of strategic thinking about user interaction and interface design. Reporting Structure:

• You will likely report to a Development Manager or Team Lead, who oversees the technical direction and team performance. You will work collaboratively with a team of developers, designers, and product owners, contributing to sprint planning, code reviews, and technical discussions. Operations Impact:

• The primary impact of this role is on the user experience of Affinity Credit Union's digital platforms. This includes member-facing banking applications and internal tools that streamline operations. By improving the frontend, you directly influence member satisfaction, operational efficiency, adoption rates of new features, and the overall perception of the credit union's technological capabilities. Strong UX and performance can lead to increased member engagement and loyalty. Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific frontend frameworks, performance optimization, accessibility, or emerging technologies like AI-assisted development.

• Technical Leadership: Transition into roles like Tech Lead, Architect, or Engineering Manager, where you guide technical strategy and manage development teams.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of backend systems, API design, and product management through close collaboration, potentially moving into full-stack development or product ownership roles.

• UX Strategy: Further develop UX strategy skills, potentially leading UX initiatives or specializing in user research and usability testing.

• Mentorship and Training: Formalize mentorship responsibilities and contribute to internal training programs for junior developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title combined with "UX Specialist" suggests a dual path for growth: deepening technical frontend expertise or moving more towards UX strategy and leadership. The credit union environment might also offer unique opportunities in financial technology (FinTech) operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site

• This role requires the developer to work from Affinity Credit Union's office location in Saskatchewan. This typically implies a structured work environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Saskatchewan, Canada

• Specific office location details would need to be confirmed, but being based in Saskatchewan means operating within a specific regional economic and cultural context. Access to public transport, parking, and local amenities will vary by exact office location. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is designed to foster teamwork. Expect opportunities for in-person brainstorming, pair programming, and team meetings.

• Operations Tools and Technology: Access to modern development tools, high-performance workstations, and reliable network infrastructure will be provided to support efficient development.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with fellow developers, UX designers, product owners, and potentially other departments will be a daily occurrence, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.

• While on-site, there may be some flexibility in start and end times, but core collaboration hours will likely be expected. The nature of development work often involves focused periods, with flexibility around meetings and collaborative sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a company that values in-person collaboration and team cohesion. For developers, this can mean more direct mentorship opportunities and a clearer separation between work and personal life.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit your Resume and Cover Letter clearly stating how you meet the required qualifications. Pay close attention to the closing date.

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will review applications to ensure basic qualifications are met.

• Technical Assessment/Screening: This may involve a coding challenge, a technical questionnaire, or a brief technical interview focusing on core frontend skills (JavaScript, HTML/CSS, frameworks).

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to assess your experience, leadership potential, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit. This is where you'll discuss your portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation/Deep Dive: Be prepared to walk through 1-3 key projects from your portfolio, explaining your role, technical decisions, challenges, and outcomes.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with other developers or team members to evaluate your collaborative skills and technical acumen.

• Final Interview (Potentially with Senior Leadership): A final conversation to confirm fit and discuss the role at a higher level.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your senior-level skills in frontend development, UX specialization, and your ability to deliver impactful results. Prioritize projects similar to those at Affinity Credit Union (e.g., complex web applications, systems with API integrations).

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you solved, your specific contributions, the technologies used, the challenges faced, and the quantifiable results (e.g., performance improvements, user satisfaction metrics, efficiency gains).

• Explain Your Process: Be ready to discuss your design thinking, development methodology, testing strategies, and how you collaborated with others. For UX specialization, highlight your user-centered approach.

• Code Quality: If possible, provide links to live projects or well-documented GitHub repositories. Be prepared to discuss code structure, maintainability, and best practices.

• Tailor to Affinity: Research Affinity Credit Union's digital presence and tailor your presentation to highlight how your skills can benefit their specific needs in the financial services sector.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Challenges: Practice common frontend coding challenges, focusing on data structures, algorithms, and practical JavaScript problem-solving.

• System Design: Be prepared to discuss how you would architect a specific feature or application, considering scalability, performance, and maintainability.

• UX Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing or improving a user interface based on a given scenario or user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a Cover Letter and Resume stating how qualifications are met, along with a closing date, means applicants need to be meticulous and tailor their application materials. The portfolio review is a critical component, so preparation should focus on articulating impact and process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Modern JavaScript Frameworks: Likely one or more of React, Angular, or Vue.js. Proficiency in one is essential, and familiarity with others is a plus.

• HTML5 & CSS3: Core web technologies. Experience with CSS preprocessors (Sass/Less) and CSS-in-JS solutions.

• State Management: Redux, Zustand, Pinia, Vuex, or similar libraries depending on the chosen framework.

• Version Control: Git is standard. Familiarity with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar for tracking user behavior and site performance.

• Performance Monitoring Tools: Lighthouse, WebPageTest, or browser developer tools for in-depth performance analysis.

• Dashboarding Tools: Potentially internal tools or platforms like Power BI/Tableau if integrated with backend data for showcasing frontend performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Design Collaboration Tools: Figma is explicitly mentioned, indicating its central role in the design-to-development workflow.

• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for managing tasks, sprints, and project timelines.

• CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, or similar for automating builds, tests, and deployments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI-assisted development tools, alongside modern JavaScript frameworks, indicates a forward-thinking technology stack. Developers should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific tools and concepts.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Member-Centricity: A core value in any credit union, meaning all development efforts should ultimately serve the needs and improve the experience of Affinity Credit Union members.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and approaches (like AI-assisted development) to improve products and processes.

• Reliability & Security: Upholding the highest standards for code quality, application stability, and data security, especially critical in the financial sector.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to ongoing learning, process refinement, and enhancing both technical skills and product offerings.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile and Iterative: Likely working in an agile framework, with regular stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives to foster continuous feedback and adaptation.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and transparent communication between developers, designers, product owners, and other stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where team members are willing to share expertise, conduct code reviews constructively, and help each other overcome technical challenges.

• Problem-Solving Focus: Approaching challenges with a solution-oriented mindset, leveraging collective intelligence to find the best path forward.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "credit union" context strongly implies a culture that prioritizes people (members and employees) and community over pure profit. This should be reflected in how candidates approach collaboration and problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Legacy Systems: Integrating modern frontend technologies and UX best practices with existing, potentially older, core banking systems requires careful architectural planning and phased implementation.

• Maintaining High Standards in a Regulated Industry: The financial sector has stringent compliance and security requirements that must be adhered to, which can add complexity to development processes.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Frontend Technologies: The frontend landscape changes rapidly; staying current with new frameworks, tools, and best practices while delivering on business needs is an ongoing challenge.

• Effective Cross-Functional Communication: Ensuring clear and consistent communication between development, design, product, and business teams to align on requirements and vision.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Framework Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific JavaScript frameworks or explore new ones.

• UX Specialization: Access to training, workshops, or conferences focused on advanced UX design principles, user research, and usability testing.

• AI in Development: Learning to effectively leverage AI-assisted tools for coding, testing, and debugging to boost productivity and explore new development paradigms.

• Financial Technology (FinTech) Exposure: Gaining insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of developing software for the financial services industry.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior developers or be mentored by senior leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior role in a stable, regulated industry. The growth opportunities highlight the dual nature of this role – technical depth and strategic UX/leadership potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex frontend application you architected. What were the key technical decisions, and what was the impact on performance and user experience?" (Focus on architecture, state management, API integration, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach designing and implementing a design system or a library of reusable UI components? What are the key considerations for maintainability and scalability?" (Highlight your understanding of design principles, component-based architecture, and documentation.)

• "Tell me about a time you had to optimize frontend performance significantly. What metrics did you target, what techniques did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your practical skills in performance tuning and your data-driven approach.)

• "How do you collaborate with UX designers and backend developers to translate business requirements into effective user interfaces?" (Showcase your communication skills, understanding of the development lifecycle, and ability to bridge different disciplines.)

• "What are your thoughts on incorporating AI-assisted development tools into a team's workflow? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks?" (Prepare to discuss your familiarity with AI tools and your pragmatic view on their adoption.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Affinity Credit Union specifically, and what attracts you to the financial services industry?" (Research their mission, values, and recent news. Connect your skills and career goals to their context.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior developers or leading a small development team?" (Provide specific examples of your leadership and mentorship style.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to balance delivering new features quickly with maintaining code quality and long-term system health." (Highlight your ability to make pragmatic technical decisions under pressure.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, narrate the journey from problem to solution, emphasizing your role and the impact.

• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your technical choices and design decisions. Why this framework? Why this approach to state management? Why this UX solution?

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible – performance improvements (e.g., load time reduction), user engagement increases, efficiency gains, reduction in support tickets.

• Showcase UX Specialization: Specifically highlight how your frontend development work contributed to a superior user experience. Discuss user flows, intuitive design, and accessibility.

• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Have your code, architecture diagrams, and design decisions ready to be explained in detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role will heavily scrutinize your ability to articulate technical strategy, leadership potential, and measurable impact. The portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating this, so practice presenting it convincingly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your Resume and Cover Letter: Ensure your cover letter explicitly addresses how you meet the required qualifications, referencing specific experience and skills mentioned in the job description. Tailor it to Affinity Credit Union.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate your portfolio with 2-3 of your strongest projects that showcase your senior frontend development skills, UX specialization, and experience with modern frameworks and API integrations. Be ready to present them with a focus on impact and process.

• Technical Skill Refresh: Review modern JavaScript, your preferred framework, HTML5, CSS3, performance optimization techniques, and common testing patterns. Familiarize yourself with Figma and AI-assisted development concepts.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Affinity Credit Union's mission, values, products, and digital presence. Understand their position in the credit union and financial services landscape.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare thoughtful answers for strategy, behavioral, and technical questions. Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clarity, impact, and your problem-solving approach.

⚠️ 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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