Lead Frontend Engineer

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training budget and conference access

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Frontend Engineer to shape the frontend strategy for its East London projects. You will lead UI development, mentor junior developers, and establish coding standards while delivering high-performance interfaces for diverse clients.

You will collaborate with designers, backend engineers, and project managers to translate requirements into polished, accessible web applications. A strong UX mindset and leadership are essential for this senior role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Web Design, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of frontend development experience with at least 2 years in lead/senior role.
• Expert HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript (ES6+).
• Deep experience with React, Angular, or Vue.js and state management (Redux/Vuex).
• Build tools (Webpack, Babel) and package managers (npm, Yarn); Git proficiency.
• Strong UX focus, performance optimization and cross-browser compatibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of complex, interactive, responsive UIs across client projects.
• Collaborate with UI/UX, backend, and PMs to translate designs into high-quality code.
• Mentor junior frontend developers and uphold coding standards.
• Establish frontend architectures, best practices, and patterns.
• Optimize applications for speed, scalability, and accessibility.
• Perform code reviews and provide constructive feedback.
• Stay updated with frontend trends and technologies.
• Troubleshoot frontend issues to ensure seamless UX.
• Contribute to technical planning and project estimations.
• Champion frontend excellence and innovative solutions.

Skills

Frontend architecture

React/Angular/Vue

ES6+ JavaScript

HTML5

CSS3

Redux/Vuex

Webpack/Babel

Git

Performance optimization

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Tools

Webpack

Babel

npm

Yarn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent digital agency known for creating cutting-edge web experiences, is seeking a talented Lead Frontend Engineer to join their creative team. Based in the vibrant city of East London , Eastern Cape, ZA , this role involves leading the design and development of intuitive, responsive, and high-performance user interfaces for a variety of client projects. You will be responsible for setting technical direction, mentoring frontend developers, and ensuring the highest standards of code quality and user experience. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in modern JavaScript frameworks, a keen eye for design, and a passion for building exceptional digital products. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the frontend strategy for a dynamic agency and contribute to impactful projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of complex, interactive, and responsive user interfaces using modern frontend technologies.
• Collaborate closely with UI/UX designers, backend developers, and project managers to translate designs and requirements into high-quality code.
• Mentor and guide junior frontend developers, providing technical leadership and fostering their growth.
• Establish and enforce frontend coding standards, best practices, and architectural patterns.
• Optimize frontend applications for maximum speed, scalability, and accessibility across various devices and browsers.
• Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Stay current with the latest frontend technologies, frameworks, and industry trends.
• Troubleshoot and debug frontend issues, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Contribute to technical planning and estimations for projects.
• Champion frontend best practices and advocate for innovative solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Web Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in frontend development, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Expert proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript (ES6+).
• In-depth experience with one or more popular JavaScript frameworks/libraries such as React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Strong understanding of state management patterns and libraries (e.g., Redux, Vuex).
• Experience with build tools (e.g., Webpack, Babel) and package managers (e.g., npm, yarn).
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git).
• Understanding of web performance optimization techniques and SEO best practices.
• Experience with responsive design and cross-browser compatibility.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
• A passion for creating exceptional user experiences.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting the seniority and leadership of this role. You will be part of an energetic and creative team working in our offices in East London . Benefits include excellent health insurance, generous paid time off, and opportunities for professional development, including training budgets and conference attendance. We foster a collaborative and innovative work environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded. Join us and help build the next generation of stunning web applications.