Senior UI Developer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Developer

Company: Avnet (Farnell)

Location: Leeds, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Software Engineering / Front-End Development

Date Posted: 2026-05-19

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the development and enhancement of a global, large-scale eCommerce platform, focusing on creating beautiful, functional, and user-centric designs.

• Implement advanced UI strategies for personalization, recommendations, and merchandising to directly impact conversion rates and site revenue.

• Utilize a modern tech stack including React, Node.js, TypeScript, and GraphQL to build responsive, high-performance user interfaces.

• Collaborate within a cross-functional Agile team, including Product Owners, UX Designers, and back-end developers, to deliver scalable and visually stunning user experiences.

• Mentor junior developers and contribute to front-end architecture decisions, ensuring best practices in code quality, testing, and performance optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior UI Developer," the responsibilities clearly indicate a focus on front-end development within an eCommerce context, specifically impacting revenue through personalization and merchandising initiatives. The role requires a blend of strong technical skills, architectural input, and leadership potential through mentorship.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of responsive, high-performance user interfaces using React and associated libraries, ensuring a seamless customer experience across all devices.

• Translate business requirements and UX/UI designs (from Figma and Storybook) into robust, scalable, and visually appealing front-end solutions for the global eCommerce platform.

• Integrate front-end applications with back-end services using RESTful and GraphQL APIs, leveraging Node.js, Apollo Server, and Apollo Client for efficient data fetching and state management.

• Optimize UI performance through techniques like lazy loading, code splitting, and Akamai caching to ensure fast load times and a smooth user journey, directly impacting conversion rates.

• Champion and enforce software development best practices, including writing clean, maintainable code, implementing comprehensive automated testing (Jest), conducting thorough code reviews, and adhering to GitFlow version control via Gitlab.

• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level developers in React development, front-end architecture principles, and best practice adoption, fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development.

• Actively participate in A/B testing initiatives using Adobe Target to continuously improve user engagement and drive higher site revenues.

• Collaborate closely with Product Owners, UX/UI designers, and back-end engineers in an Agile/Scrum environment to shape the overall application stack architecture and ensure cohesive development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize leadership in development, direct impact on revenue through UI features, and strong collaboration within an Agile framework. The inclusion of A/B testing and performance optimization highlights a data-driven approach to UI development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven track record (5-10 years) as a Senior Front-End or UI Developer, demonstrating expertise in building complex, scalable web applications.

• Substantial hands-on experience with React and its core principles, including component-based architecture, hooks, and state management solutions.

Required Skills:

• ReactJS: Deep expertise in building dynamic and interactive user interfaces.

• TypeScript: Strong proficiency for robust and maintainable code.

• Node.js: Solid understanding for back-end integration and potentially server-side rendering.

• GraphQL & Apollo Client/Server: Expertise in querying APIs, managing state, and integrating with back-end GraphQL services.

• HTML5 & CSS3: Advanced knowledge for semantic structuring and styling.

• JavaScript (ES6+): Comprehensive understanding of modern JavaScript features.

• Jest: Experience with unit and integration testing for front-end components.

• Responsive Design: Ability to create interfaces that adapt seamlessly across various screen sizes and devices.

• Gitlab & GitFlow: Proficient use of Git for version control and collaborative development.

Preferred Skills:

• Loadable Components: For efficient code splitting and performance optimization.

• Styled Components: For component-based styling.

• Storybook: For developing and showcasing UI components in isolation.

• Akamai Caching: Understanding of content delivery network caching strategies for performance.

• Figma: Experience translating design mockups into functional code.

• Adobe Target: Familiarity with A/B testing tools for optimizing user experiences.

• Familiarity with RESTful APIs: Alongside GraphQL experience.

• UI Performance Optimization: Advanced techniques beyond basic responsive design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills list is extensive and specific, reflecting the complexity of the platform. Emphasis is placed on modern JavaScript frameworks, API integration (especially GraphQL), testing, and version control. Preferred skills indicate a desire for candidates who can contribute to advanced optimization and design handoff processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies on React Development: Showcase complex UI features, component architecture, and state management strategies implemented in previous projects.

• Demonstration of Performance Optimization: Include examples of how you've improved UI load times, rendering performance, and overall user experience through code splitting, lazy loading, or other advanced techniques.

• GraphQL Integration Examples: Present projects where you have effectively integrated front-end applications with GraphQL APIs, including examples of query optimization and error handling.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Artifacts: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you've worked with designers and back-end teams to deliver cohesive product features.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates are expected to have experience documenting and optimizing front-end development workflows, from initial design handoff to deployment.

• Automated Testing Implementation: Demonstrate knowledge of implementing and maintaining automated testing suites (e.g., Jest) as part of the development process.

• Performance Monitoring & Analysis: Show examples of how you've used tools to monitor UI performance in production and used that data to drive improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of React, GraphQL, performance optimization, and collaboration is crucial. The emphasis is on showcasing not just the ability to code, but also the process and methodology behind successful front-end development for large-scale applications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary Package

• Pension Scheme

• Private Medical Cover

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Option to buy additional holiday

• FREE Onsite Parking

• Flexible home working

• Cycle to Work Scheme

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are assumed to be 40 hours per week. The role offers flexible home working arrangements, allowing for a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for senior front-end developers in the UK, specifically Leeds, considering the advanced technical requirements. The listed benefits are comprehensive and align with typical offerings for senior roles in established technology companies, with a particular emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Distribution / eCommerce

Company Size: Avnet is a large, global corporation (typically 15,000+ employees), with Farnell operating as a significant part of its business. This size implies established processes, resources, and a structured environment.

Founded: Avnet was founded in 1925, and Farnell has a long history in electronics distribution, indicating a stable and experienced organization.

Team Structure:

• The UI development team operates within a cross-functional structure, led by a dedicated Product Owner.

• Collaboration is key, with close partnerships between UI Developers, UX Designers, back-end developers, and potentially marketing and merchandising specialists.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Development: Emphasis on using data (e.g., A/B testing via Adobe Target) to inform UI decisions and drive business outcomes like increased conversions and revenue.

• Agile/Scrum Practices: The team works within an Agile framework, utilizing sprints, daily stand-ups, and iterative development cycles.

• Performance Optimization: A continuous focus on optimizing the UI for speed and user experience is integrated into the development process.

Company Website: Avnet Company URL

📝 Enhancement Note: Avnet's scale suggests a robust corporate structure with opportunities for standardized processes and access to significant resources. Farnell's specific role in eCommerce implies a dynamic, customer-focused digital environment where the UI Developer's work directly contributes to business growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UI Developer role, signifying a position of technical leadership and expertise. It requires not only strong individual contribution but also the ability to mentor, influence technical direction, and contribute to architectural decisions.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into a Product Owner and works collaboratively within a cross-functional team. This structure emphasizes agile collaboration and direct impact on product development goals.

Operations Impact: The Senior UI Developer's work has a direct and measurable impact on Avnet's eCommerce revenue. By enhancing personalization, recommendations, and the overall user experience, their contributions directly influence customer conversion rates, average order value, and site engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in React, GraphQL, performance optimization, and related front-end technologies.

• Architectural Influence: Contribute to and potentially lead front-end architecture discussions and decisions for the eCommerce platform.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior developers, potentially leading small project teams, and contributing to technical strategy.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain broader understanding of eCommerce operations, merchandising, and marketing strategies through close collaboration.

• Career Progression: Potential paths include Lead UI Developer, Front-End Architect, Engineering Manager, or moving into product management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title is well-supported by the responsibilities and expected impact. Growth opportunities are geared towards both technical mastery and leadership development within a critical revenue-generating function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Leeds, UK, and is described as hybrid. This suggests a mix of on-site work at a company office and remote work from home.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The job posting mentions "Based West Yorkshire," indicating the office is situated within this geographic area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The team works in a cross-functional, Agile setting, encouraging close collaboration with designers, back-end developers, and product owners.

• Technology & Tools: Access to modern development tools and technologies is implied, including high-performance workstations, necessary software licenses, and robust development environments.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, stand-ups, and collaborative sessions (both in-person and virtual) are expected.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) is expected, with the benefit of flexible home working, allowing for a hybrid arrangement that balances in-office collaboration with remote productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model indicates a modern work environment that values flexibility while still promoting in-person team cohesion and collaboration, crucial for complex development projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions covering React, Node.js, GraphQL, TypeScript, and front-end architecture. May include live coding exercises or problem-solving scenarios.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation of past work, focusing on specific case studies demonstrating UI development, performance optimization, and problem-solving.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: Assessment of collaboration skills, leadership potential, and alignment with team dynamics. May involve discussions on Agile methodologies and mentorship experience.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and strategic contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, the technologies used, and, most importantly, the measurable business impact (e.g., conversion rate increase, performance improvement).

• Showcase Technical Depth: Be prepared to deep-dive into the technical challenges you faced and how you overcame them, especially regarding React, GraphQL, and performance.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Highlight instances where you successfully collaborated with designers, back-end engineers, and product owners.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or technology, with concise descriptions and clear visuals.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate detailed questions about your code, design decisions, and development processes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Challenges: Practice common front-end coding problems, focusing on algorithm efficiency, data structures, and JavaScript fundamentals.

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

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about how you would troubleshoot common UI issues, optimize slow-loading pages, or integrate complex APIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, involving multiple stages to assess technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative potential. A well-prepared portfolio and clear articulation of impact are critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• ReactJS: The core JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

• Node.js: Used for back-end services and potentially server-side rendering or tooling.

• TypeScript: For enhanced type safety and code quality.

• GraphQL: For efficient API querying and data fetching.

• Apollo Client & Apollo Server: For managing GraphQL requests and building GraphQL APIs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Jest: For unit and integration testing of front-end components.

• Adobe Target: For A/B testing and personalization initiatives.

• Storybook: For developing, documenting, and testing UI components in isolation.

CRM & Automation:

• Gitlab & GitFlow: For version control, collaboration, and CI/CD pipelines.

• Figma: For design mockups and prototyping.

• Akamai Caching: For optimizing content delivery and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is modern and robust, reflecting the demands of a large-scale eCommerce platform. Proficiency in all listed tools, particularly React, Node.js, GraphQL, and testing frameworks, is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting user needs to create exceptional online experiences that drive engagement and conversions.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively within cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages exploring new technologies, optimizing existing processes, and proactively seeking ways to enhance the platform's performance and user experience.

• Quality & Best Practices: Commitment to writing clean, maintainable, and well-tested code, adhering to industry best practices in software development.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data from A/B tests and performance metrics to guide development choices and measure success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with Product Owners, UX/UI Designers, and Back-End Engineers, fostering a shared understanding of project goals and user needs.

• Open Communication: An open-door policy and emphasis on clear, constructive communication are likely encouraged, facilitating problem-solving and idea sharing.

• Agile Ceremonies: Active participation in Agile rituals (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) to ensure alignment and continuous feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of corporate structure (due to Avnet's size) and a dynamic, agile approach common in eCommerce development, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and data-driven outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Performance at Scale: Ensuring the eCommerce platform remains fast and responsive with a large user base and extensive features requires continuous optimization efforts.

• Balancing User Experience and Business Goals: Effectively integrating personalization and merchandising features to drive revenue without negatively impacting the user experience.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: The front-end landscape evolves rapidly; staying current with React ecosystem updates and best practices is an ongoing challenge.

• Cross-Team Dependencies: Navigating dependencies with back-end teams and other departments to ensure smooth integration and timely delivery of features.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced React & Ecosystem Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like performance optimization, state management patterns, and new React features.

• GraphQL Mastery: Further development in designing and consuming complex GraphQL APIs.

• Performance Engineering: Specialized training in web performance optimization techniques and tools.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior developers or be mentored by senior architects.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Potential for attending relevant tech conferences or pursuing certifications to stay at the forefront of front-end development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles on large-scale platforms, requiring a proactive and adaptive approach. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with advancing technical expertise and leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI feature you developed using React and how you ensured its performance and scalability." (Focus on architecture, state management, and optimization techniques.)

• "How would you approach integrating a new personalization engine into our existing eCommerce platform, considering both front-end and back-end aspects?" (Think about API contracts, data flow, and user experience.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Farnell/Avnet's eCommerce platform and how do you see your role contributing to its success?" (Research the company, their products, and their online presence.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with UX/UI designers and back-end developers to ensure a cohesive product?" (Highlight your communication and teamwork skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight ROI: For each project showcased, clearly connect your technical contributions to business outcomes like increased conversion rates, improved user engagement, or reduced load times.

• Deep Dive on Key Projects: Select 2-3 significant projects that best demonstrate your skills in React, GraphQL, performance, and collaboration. Be prepared to discuss technical challenges, solutions, and lessons learned in detail.

• Code Snippets & Architecture Diagrams: If appropriate, use code snippets or simple diagrams to illustrate complex architectural decisions or specific code patterns you implemented.

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as narratives that demonstrate your problem-solving process, technical expertise, and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating technical solutions, demonstrating problem-solving abilities, and clearly linking your work to business objectives. The portfolio review is a critical component, so thorough preparation is essential.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Developer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with React, Node.js, TypeScript, GraphQL, Apollo Client/Server, and UI performance optimization. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible (e.g., "improved page load times by 20%").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your best work in UI development, focusing on projects involving complex interfaces, performance optimization, and successful API integrations. Ensure you can speak to the business impact of your work.

• Practice Interview Questions: Rehearse answers to common technical and behavioral questions, focusing on STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions and clear, concise explanations for technical ones. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Research Avnet/Farnell: Understand the company's mission, products, and their eCommerce strategy. Familiarize yourself with their current website to identify potential areas for improvement and to better understand their user base.

⚠️ 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.