Lead Front-End Developer (React)

United States Digital Space LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Hybrid working

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Job summary

Captivation AI in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead Front-End Developer to shape the next generation of speaking avatar experiences. You will work directly with the CEO and CTO to drive the product strategy, delivering polished user interfaces using modern React technologies.

You should bring 3+ years of React/Next.js experience, a passion for AI-enabled front-ends, and a collaborative mindset. The role offers hybrid work in London and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of commercial experience with React/Next.js, TypeScript, JavaScript and HTML.
• Experience building modern, responsive web applications with a component-based architecture.
• Experience integrating applications with APIs and third-party platforms; familiarity with MCP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop modern, responsive web applications using React/Next.js and TypeScript, translating product concepts into user experiences.
• Keep pace with emerging AI and front-end technologies.
• Contribute ideas in design discussions and provide scalable implementation approaches.
• Create intuitive interfaces for AI-driven and conversational experiences focusing on usability and accessibility.

Skills

React/Next.js

TypeScript

JavaScript

HTML

UI/UX

Accessibility

APIs integration

Git

CI/CD

AWS

Tools

Git

CI/CD

AWS

Shopify

Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Job description

Company Overview

Captivation AI is a UK-based technology start-up with an ambitious goal: to become a leading global provider of speaking avatar technology for chatbots, agentic AI and next-generation digital experiences.

Three years into our journey, we have developed a unique speaking avatar platform designed to dramatically reduce the compute and cost associated with delivering real-time digital avatars. With reductions of up to 90%, our technology has the potential to make high-quality speaking avatars commercially viable at scale -across corporate and e-commerce websites and a rapidly expanding range of AI-powered customer experiences.

We are now preparing to bring our platform to the global developer community at an exciting time when conversational and agentic AI are fundamentally changing how people interact with technology and brands.

Our founders and principal investors are successful, experienced technology entrepreneurs. We have a small but highly talented team. AI is embedded in how we operate: not only within our technology, products and customer solutions, but also in how we develop software and work across the business.

As we enter our next stage of growth, we're looking for an exceptional Lead Front-End Developer with 3+ years’ experience to join us. You'll be ambitious, creative and highly capable, with the confidence to contribute ideas, embrace emerging technologies and thrive in a fast-moving start-up environment. Just as importantly, we're looking for someone who is collaborative, grounded and generally a decent person to work with.

We are very sorry, but at this stage we cannot offer sponsorship for overseas applicants. You must have an existing right to work in the UK.

About the Role

You'll work directly with our CEO and CTO to deliver our product strategy. This is a genuine opportunity to contribute to the evolution of our platform, bringing your front-end expertise into technical discussions, enhancing implementation decisions and building exceptional user experiences using modern React technologies.

If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, embracing AI as part of modern software engineering, and want to play a key role in a growing business where your contribution will have real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

You’ll be at the heart of bringing our products to life, combining strong front-end engineering with creativity, curiosity and an enthusiasm for emerging AI technologies.

• Develop modern, responsive web applications using React/Next.js and TypeScript, working directly with the CEO and CTO to translate product concepts and solution designs into exceptional user experiences.
• Keep pace with emerging AI and front-end technologies, bringing new ideas, tools and approaches into how we design and build our products.
• Bring strong front-end expertise to solution and technical design discussions, contributing ideas and identifying practical, scalable implementation approaches.
• Create intuitive interfaces for AI-driven and conversational experiences, with a strong focus on usability, performance, accessibility and scalability.

About You

You're an experienced React developer with a real passion for creating polished and intuitive user interfaces. You enjoy solving complex problems, takes pride in building clean, well-engineered software. You are confident working independently in a fast-moving environment. You'll have:

• Strong commercial experience with React/Next.js, TypeScript, JavaScript and HTML, including component-based architecture and state management.
• A passion for emerging AI and front-end technologies, with the curiosity and drive to explore and embrace new ways of working.
• Strong experience integrating applications with APIs, third-party platforms and modern AI services; knowledge of emerging integration technologies and standards such as Model Context Protocol (MCP) would be advantageous.
• A solid understanding of front-end performance, accessibility and scalable application architecture.
• Strong UI/UX instincts, with an eye for clean, intuitive interfaces and close attention to usability and visual detail.
• Experience with Git-based development workflows, code reviews, automated testing and CI/CD pipelines.
• Confidence working directly with senior business and technical stakeholders, contributing ideas and constructively challenging approaches where appropriate.
• Experience working with cloud-hosted applications and services, ideally within AWS environments, would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with database technologies and commerce platforms such as Shopify would also be beneficial.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive package alongside the opportunity to make a real impact in a growing, innovative AI business.

• Competitive salary, reflecting your experience.
• 25 days' annual leave, plus UK Bank Holidays.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Hybrid working, combining time in our Central London office with flexibility to work remotely.
• An exciting role where your ideas, expertise and contribution will have a real impact on the product as we grow.
• Hands-on experience building innovative AI-driven customer experiences and working with rapidly evolving technologies.
• The opportunity to develop your skills and experience as the business and technology platform continue to evolve.

Our Interview Process

We want our interview process to be straightforward, engaging and a chance for both sides to decide whether there’s a great fit.

• Initial video chat to find out more about each other
• Interview with CTO, with a technical assessment
• Final conversation with founder

Please note this role is permanent and applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Pay: £60,000.00-£90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension

Experience:

• React: 3 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Waterloo SE1 7ND