Lead Front End Engineer

Lead Front End Engineer

Location: Remote (UK-based) with ad hoc travel to Manchester

Type: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (FTC)

Clearance Requirement: BPSS eligibility essential

About Amber Labs

Amber Labs is a cutting-edge digital consultancy specialising in data, cloud, and software engineering solutions for high-impact projects. We partner with organisations to deliver secure, modern, and user-centred digital services. Our culture is collaborative, innovative, and focused on technical excellence.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Lead Front End Engineer for a 12-month fixed-term contract. This role is primarily remote, with occasional travel to Manchester as required.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will lead a front end engineering team delivering complex, user-centred digital services within the central government space. You will combine strong technical expertise with the ability to mentor, guide, and influence teams while remaining actively involved in engineering delivery.

The ideal candidate will have solid experience working on central government projects, deep expertise in modern front end engineering practices, and a passion for building accessible, high-quality user interfaces at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of front end engineers, ensuring high-quality delivery and adherence to engineering best practices.
• Maintain a hands-on role in front end development using modern JavaScript frameworks (React preferred).
• Own front end architecture, design decisions, and technical standards across projects.
• Collaborate closely with back end engineers, product owners, designers, architects, and central government stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with GDS (Government Digital Service) standards, including accessibility (WCAG), performance, and security.
• Participate in sprint planning, estimations, and Agile delivery ceremonies.
• Champion user-centred design, performance optimisation, and continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong, hands-on experience with modern front end frameworks (React preferred).
• Proven experience delivering central government or public-sector digital services.
• Demonstrable experience leading or mentoring front end engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, and modern front end tooling.
• Experience building accessible, responsive, and high-performance web applications.
• Eligible for BPSS clearance.
• Comfortable working within Agile, multi-disciplinary teams.

Desirable Skills

• Experience integrating front end applications with APIs and back end services.
• Familiarity with the GOV.UK Design System and GDS service standards.
• Experience working in cloud-based environments (AWS preferred).
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and modern build tooling.
• Experience working in consultancy or client-facing environments.

What We Offer

• Opportunities to work on meaningful public-sector and government digital services.
• A supportive environment that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.

Why Amber Labs?

At Amber Labs, we pride ourselves on a culture of learning, innovation, and collaboration. You’ll join a diverse, supportive team delivering meaningful outcomes across UK Government digital transformation programmes.

Why Join Us?

• Join a fast-growing consultancy delivering high-impact public-sector technology
• Develop skills across modern front end engineering, accessibility, and large-scale digital platforms
• Private Medical Insurance (Aviva)
• Company Pension Plan (Nest)
• 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• Perkbox – global employee rewards and wellbeing platform
• Generous employee referral scheme
• Supportive, inclusive environment encouraging innovation and growth
• Choose your preferred working device – Mac or PC

Diversity & Inclusion at Amber Labs

At Amber Labs, diversity fuels innovation. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and respected.

We:

• Welcome a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
• Promote equality and inclusion across all teams
• Maintain a workplace free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment

Important Information

• We cannot accept applications from candidates requiring visa sponsorship
• BPSS eligibility is required before starting
• Applicants must be based in the UK and able to travel occasionally to Manchester

What Happens Next?

After reviewing your application, our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch to outline next steps. The process typically includes two interview stages, with a possible third involving our company Partners if required.