UX Lead_Dallas/Chicago/NewYork

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Lead

Company: Photon

Location: Dallas, Chicago, New York (United States)

Job Type: Full time, Contractor

Category: Software Engineering / Full-Stack Development

Date Posted: 2026-07-31

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is for a seasoned developer focused on building dynamic back-end and front-end web applications, emphasizing reusable component development.

• The position requires expertise in Core Java 11 and the Spring Boot framework, alongside modern JavaScript frameworks like React JS.

• Candidates will contribute to architectural decisions for secure, scalable, and high-performance software within an Agile Scrum team environment.

• The role involves designing and implementing overall web architecture using a combination of back-end and front-end technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Lead," the core responsibilities and required skills heavily lean towards a Full-Stack Developer role with a strong emphasis on back-end Java and front-end JavaScript/React development. The "UX" aspect might refer to the user-facing nature of the applications being built rather than a dedicated UX/UI design role. The role also explicitly mentions both full-time employment and independent contractor options.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop dynamic website applications using Core Java 11 and various modules of the Spring Boot framework (Spring Core, Spring REST, Spring JDBC, Spring AOP, Spring JMS).

• Design and implement reusable components across both front-end and back-end technologies to enhance modularity and maintainability.

• Lead the design and implementation of the overall web architecture, leveraging HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and React JS for robust user interfaces.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional team members within Agile Scrum teams to deliver project milestones in parallel.

• Contribute to the design and architecture of software solutions, ensuring they are secure, scalable, high-performing, and maintainable.

• Clearly articulate the implications of design and architectural decisions to stakeholders and team members.

• Apply strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve complex technical challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities indicate a senior-level developer who not only codes but also influences architectural direction and mentors other team members on design implications. The emphasis on reusable components and scalable architecture points towards a focus on long-term maintainability and efficiency within the software development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required. Experience:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in full-stack web development, with a significant focus on back-end Java and front-end JavaScript frameworks.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing complex web architectures and reusable software components. Required Skills:

• Core Java 11

• Spring Boot framework (Spring Core, Spring REST, Spring JDBC, Spring AOP, Spring JMS)

• JavaScript (including DOM manipulation and the JavaScript object model)

• HTML5, CSS

• React JS

• Database proficiency: Oracle, PostgreSQL

• Front-end build tools: Babel, Webpack, NPM

• Agile methodologies and Scrum practices Preferred Skills:

• Experience with public cloud platforms: Azure, AWS

• Containerization and orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm framework

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills highlight a blend of strong back-end Java expertise with modern front-end capabilities, positioning this role as a full-stack position. The preference for cloud and containerization technologies suggests a forward-looking development environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase projects demonstrating robust back-end development using Core Java 11 and Spring Boot, highlighting architectural patterns and efficiency.

• Present examples of reusable component development for both front-end and back-end, illustrating modular design principles.

• Include case studies of web architecture design and implementation using HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and React JS, focusing on scalability and performance.

• Provide evidence of contribution to Agile Scrum teams, detailing collaboration and delivery within sprint cycles.

• Demonstrate problem-solving capabilities through specific examples of complex technical challenges overcome. Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to articulate their approach to designing and implementing secure, scalable, and maintainable software.

• Be prepared to discuss the implications of architectural decisions and demonstrate how they ensure high performance and user experience.

• Highlight experience with front-end tooling (Babel, Webpack, NPM) and their role in optimizing the development workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal "portfolio" might not be explicitly requested in the initial application, candidates should be prepared to discuss their project experience in detail, potentially through a portfolio or detailed project descriptions in their resume. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical application of required skills in real-world scenarios, particularly concerning architectural design and component reusability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Minimum Compensation: USD 56,000 per year

• Maximum Compensation: USD 196,000 per year

• Compensation will be determined based on the candidate's actual experience and qualifications. The provided range is a good-faith estimate. Benefits:

• Medical insurance

• Vision insurance

• Dental insurance

• 401k retirement plan

• Variable pay/incentives

• Paid time off (PTO)

• Paid holidays Note: Benefits are available for full-time employees. Working Hours:

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is quite broad, reflecting the significant variance based on experience and qualifications. The inclusion of both full-time and contractor employment types means that benefit eligibility may differ. For contractors, benefits are typically not provided by the hiring company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software Development

Company Size: Based on the LinkedIn data for "Photon" (if available, otherwise inferred), this could range from startups to mid-sized enterprises. The presence of multiple office locations suggests a company with established operations.

Founded: Information not provided, but the company's focus on modern technologies like Spring Boot and React JS indicates a contemporary approach.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of Agile Scrum teams, implying a collaborative, iterative development environment.

• The "UX Lead" title, despite the technical focus, suggests a user-centric approach to development within the team.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, working with other team members to achieve project goals. Methodology:

• Agile Scrum is the primary development methodology.

• Emphasis on designing and implementing secure, scalable, high-performance, and maintainable software.

• Strong focus on architectural decision-making and clear articulation of technical implications.

Company Website: https://photon.com (inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company appears to be a technology firm focused on software development, likely offering services or products related to web application creation. The culture is expected to be fast-paced, collaborative, and driven by modern development practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned as a "Lead" developer, suggesting a senior-level individual contributor role. It requires not only strong technical execution but also the ability to influence architectural decisions and guide development efforts within a team. Reporting Structure:

• The role operates within Agile Scrum teams. Direct reporting lines are not specified but typically would involve a Engineering Manager or a Technical Lead overseeing multiple Scrum teams. Operations Impact:

• The developer is responsible for the core functionality and architecture of dynamic web applications, directly impacting user experience, system performance, scalability, and overall product quality. Contributions to secure and maintainable software have long-term business value. Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Java, Spring Boot, React, or cloud technologies.

• Architectural Leadership: Progress into roles with greater responsibility for system architecture and technical strategy.

• Team Leadership: Potentially move into team lead or management positions, guiding development teams and mentoring junior engineers.

• Cloud & DevOps: Develop skills in Azure/AWS, Docker, and Kubernetes for advanced cloud-native development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" in the title suggests this is a key individual contributor role, not a management position. However, the responsibilities imply a level of technical leadership and mentorship within the development team. Growth would likely involve deeper technical expertise or moving into more senior architectural or team lead roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site

Office Location(s): Dallas, Chicago, New York (United States)

Workspace Context:

• The on-site requirement suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued.

• Teams will likely work in open-plan or designated collaborative spaces conducive to Agile methodologies.

• Access to standard office technology, development workstations, and potentially specialized hardware for testing will be available. Work Schedule:

• Expected to adhere to standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week).

• While Agile methodologies promote flexibility in task management, on-site presence is mandatory.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of this role emphasizes direct collaboration, team cohesion, and in-person problem-solving, which are often prioritized in traditional software development environments. The multiple listed locations suggest that candidates should specify their preferred work location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and application to assess technical skills and experience against requirements.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions covering Core Java 11, Spring Boot, JavaScript, React JS, database knowledge, and architectural concepts. Expect coding challenges or live coding sessions.

• System Design/Architecture Discussion: Evaluation of the candidate's ability to design scalable, secure, and maintainable web architectures. This may involve whiteboard sessions or case studies.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of collaboration skills, problem-solving approach, and alignment with Agile principles and company values.

• Manager/Team Interview: Final discussion to ensure a good fit with the team and management.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Java & Spring Boot: Showcase projects where you built robust back-end services, APIs, or applications using Core Java 11 and Spring Boot. Emphasize architectural patterns used.

• Demonstrate Reusability: Present examples of front-end or back-end components you developed for reuse, explaining the benefits achieved.

• Showcase Web Architecture: Detail projects where you were involved in designing the end-to-end web architecture, focusing on the technologies (HTML5, CSS, JS, React) and your contribution.

• Agile Experience: Be ready to discuss your experience working in Agile Scrum teams, your role in sprints, and how you collaborated with team members.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to walk through a complex technical challenge you faced and how you solved it, focusing on your thought process and the outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice coding problems related to Java, data structures, algorithms, and potentially JavaScript/React.

• Be ready to discuss trade-offs in architectural decisions (e.g., performance vs. scalability, different database choices).

• Prepare to explain your understanding of front-end build tools (Webpack, Babel) and their impact on development efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the technical depth required, expect multiple rounds of interviews. The "Portfolio Review" will likely be integrated into the technical and system design discussions, where candidates are asked to elaborate on their past projects and contributions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Back-end: Core Java 11, Spring Boot (Spring Core, Spring REST, Spring JDBC, Spring AOP, Spring JMS)

• Front-end: HTML5, CSS, JavaScript (DOM manipulation), React JS

• Databases: Oracle, PostgreSQL

• Build Tools: Babel, Webpack, NPM

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, experience with logging frameworks (e.g., SLF4j, Logback) and monitoring tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana) is often beneficial for performance analysis in such roles. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed as core requirements for this development role. Cloud & DevOps (Preferred):

• Public Cloud: Azure, AWS

• Containerization: Docker

• Orchestration: Kubernetes, Helm

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong command of a specific technology stack. Candidates should be proficient in the listed tools and ready to discuss their practical application. The preferred skills indicate a move towards cloud-native development practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: Working effectively within Agile Scrum teams is paramount.

• Quality & Maintainability: Emphasis on designing and building software that is secure, scalable, high-performance, and maintainable.

• Problem-Solving: A strong analytical mindset and the ability to tackle complex technical challenges.

• Innovation: Contributing to architectural decisions and potentially exploring new technologies.

• Ownership: Taking responsibility for the quality and success of developed components and applications.

Collaboration Style:

• Iterative and agile, with frequent communication and feedback loops within the Scrum team.

• Open to discussing and articulating technical decisions and their implications.

• Cross-functional teamwork is essential to achieve project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be aligned with modern software development practices, valuing teamwork, technical excellence, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and system design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Reusability and Specificity: Developing components that are flexible enough for various uses but specific enough to meet project needs.

• Architectural Complexity: Designing systems that are scalable and performant while remaining maintainable and secure.

• Cross-functional Communication: Effectively articulating technical decisions and their implications to both technical and potentially non-technical stakeholders.

• Staying Current: Keeping up with evolving front-end and back-end technologies and best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Cloud Technologies: Opportunity to gain hands-on experience with Azure/AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm if not already proficient.

• Advanced Architectural Design: Develop skills in designing complex, distributed systems.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior developers and influence technical direction.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Potentially work on a variety of web application development projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities for significant technical growth, particularly in areas of system architecture, cloud computing, and containerization, which are highly relevant in today's tech landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex web application architecture you designed or significantly contributed to. What were the key decisions and trade-offs?"

• "How do you ensure that reusable components you develop are truly modular and easy to integrate into different parts of an application or different projects?"

• "Walk me through your process for debugging a performance issue in a Spring Boot application."

• "Explain the role of Babel and Webpack in a React JS project. How do they impact development efficiency and application performance?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you approach collaboration within an Agile Scrum team?"

• "Describe a time you had to articulate a complex technical decision to a non-technical audience. What was the outcome?"

• "What are your thoughts on building scalable and maintainable software, and how do you implement those principles in your work?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the technologies used, the challenges faced, your specific contributions (especially architectural decisions and reusable components), and the outcomes/results.

• Metrics: Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "improved API response time by X%", "reduced code duplication by Y%").

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to dive deep into the technical aspects of your projects, explaining design choices and trade-offs.

• Focus on Responsibilities: Align your examples directly with the core responsibilities and required skills mentioned in the job description.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare specific examples that directly map to the required skills and responsibilities, focusing on their contributions to architecture, component design, and problem-solving within an Agile environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud application link.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with Core Java 11, Spring Boot, React JS, and architectural design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio/Project Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific projects that demonstrate your skills in back-end development, front-end implementation, reusable component creation, and web architecture.

• Technical Readiness: Brush up on Java, Spring Boot concepts, JavaScript/React fundamentals, and common database operations. Prepare for coding challenges and system design discussions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Photon (if additional information is available) and its potential technology focus to tailor your responses.

⚠️ 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.