First, a bit about EM Code
We are EM Code, formerly Code Computerlove. We are a Customer Experience, AI and Innovation Agency in Manchester. EM Code are part of the EssenceMediacom & WPP family - the largest set of media businesses around the world.
We make digital products and services for an eclectic mix of clients – from fast-moving start-ups to mature businesses looking to transform.
We’re officially recognised as a Great Place to Work. 98% of people here say that the working environment is welcoming, friendly and fun, and 98% agree that people are treated fairly regardless of race, age, or sexual orientation.
EM Code was founded in 1999. Since then, we’ve helped shape some of the UK’s most-visited websites and become famous for our human-centred thinking, digital design excellence, and modern engineering practices. We even created a global number-1 app - The Higher Lower Game.
EM Code is full of talented, passionate folk who love collaborating and helping each other out, and our client partners trust us to do world-class work.
We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity at EM Code. We are actively encouraging applications from black and ethnic minority groups.
Who we're looking for
In 2024 EM Code created a suite of internal AI-powered tools and services to support the tens of thousands of employees across our group of companies around the world (EssenceMediacom & WPP) to be able to leverage the power and efficiency of AI. We are continuing to build out these tools, and are looking for up to 3x Software Engineers with strong AI experience to continue the development and rollout of our AI tooling.
You will have demonstrable experience of working with AI models & API's ( OpenAI, Gemini or similar), along with solid chops in Typescript, React, Javascript/RxJS, Zustand/Redux, AWS Lambda, MicroFrontends, Microservices, Infrastructure as Code, Document Databases, SQS, Git/Monorepo...
You'll be passionate about creating responsive, accessible, and performant experiences through core front end skills like HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript (vanilla), supported by capabilities Jest Unit Testing, plus comfortable working with Design Systems/Figma.
You are pragmatic in your approach, balancing technical and product needs to deliver quality, testable, adaptable, high-quality software as part of a continuously improving product team.
What we pay
The salary range for this opportunity spans 2 of our salary bands (Band 2: Professional & Band 3: Senior) and depends on your specific experiences and skill level. We are looking to hire in the £40,000 > £50,000 range.
Band 2 (Professional): £33,000 > £45,000
Band 3 (Senior): £45,000 > £65,000
(Band Guide – 1: Foundation | 2: Professional | 3: Senior | 4: Lead/Principal | 5: Director)
Who you'll work with
We have multiple product delivery teams at EM Code, each team is a multi-disciplined mix of Digital experts across Product Strategy, Delivery Management, UX Research & Design, Software Engineering, Front End Engineering, DevOps, Agile Test Analyst, Content & Optimisation, who are all responsible for driving and delivering against the product roadmap for their client partners.
You will also be part of EM Code's engineering discipline/community with specialists from other product teams at EM Code, inputting to the direction of software engineering, driving best practices and re-use around the business.
You must have a strong desire to improve yourself and learn from others, whilst also getting involved in the culture of learning & sharing. You will have support from our ‘Best in Industry’ talent, so you can keep progressing your own skills and career.
Requirements
Your skills and experience
Essential
* 4 years or more minimum commercial experience as a modern Software Engineer
* Demonstrable experience in AI Models (OpenAI, Gemini or other)
* AWS Lambda, Microservices, API Gateway, S3, Document Databases (DynamoDB, MongoDB, Elastic or similar)
* Infrastructure as Code (Serverless, Cloudformation, Terraform or similar) - DevOps mindset
* A solid working understanding of automation, CI & deployment tooling such as Git & Actions
* 2-4 years experience with frameworks and languages: React, Typescript, State Management (Zustand/Redux)
* Highly competent across core front-end skillsets: HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript (Vanilla) etc
* You are already Unit Testing with Jest or React-Testing-LIbrary
* You are aware of the impact of performance & accessibility and understand techniques for improving load and render times.
* You will have as much passion in HOW you work & deliver solutions to problems as you do in the technology you use, so terms like ‘Craftsmanship’, ‘Clean Code’, ‘Automate Everything’ are something you believe in very strongly.
* You are already a competent software developer, but looking for the environment and tech culture to progress further.
Desirable
* Experience of Design Systems/Figma in the development process
* Playwright (or similar testing frameworks like Cypress)
* Monorepo
* Cognito
* SQS
* Exposure or experience in the use of Design Systems (antd, material-ui) and Figma would be advantageous.
* An appreciation of UX & Design, with a desire to work more collaboratively (design in the browser).
* Deeper knowledge of accessibility and how it applies to building digital experiences.
* You have had exposure to Lean or Agile working practices, but want to cement your knowledge and help contribute to continuous improvement and eliminating waste as part of a product team culture.
EM Code values
* We value people who are brilliant in their capability and the things that they make together
* We value people who are always improving both themselves and the world around them to make a difference
* We value people who collaborate, who are a joy to work with, and who get more from themselves and those around them, by working together effectively.
The environment
We are a hybrid working business with a fantastic city-centre office based in Spinningfields. Our space - a brand new building on Quay Street in the heart of Manchester city centre, is designed to let collaboration and creativity flourish.
Benefits
It's not all about work
* Make-Change Friday afternoon – dedicated self-improvement time
* An annual training budget of at least £500 so you can develop your skills
* Medical insurance with eyecare and dental included
* Generous maternity and shared parental leave package
* £25 per month wellbeing budget
* Corporate discounts with the likes of John Lewis and Made.com
* Flexible hours and flexible bank-holidays
* Bike and rail pass scheme
* 25 days holiday that increases with service
* Your birthday off
* Profit-related bonus