Initi8 Recruitment
Principal Frontend Engineer – Vue.js / Modern JavaScript – Growing Start-up – London (Hybrid)
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The Job
Here's a rare chance to build a frontend from scratch. We're looking for a Principal Frontend Engineer to join a well-backed start-up and design the systems the business will run on. Nothing here is legacy and there's no inherited mess. The architecture, patterns and standards will be yours to set.
This is a hands-on leadership role. You'll spend most of your time writing code and shipping, and you'll also own how things are structured, built and scaled. You'll work with modern tooling, including AI-assisted development, and you'll have the freedom to try new approaches and keep improving how the team builds. If you get a buzz from turning a blank repo into a product used across international markets, this one's for you.
About You
You're a builder at heart: a highly experienced engineer with strong architectural knowledge who loves creating well-designed, scalable systems.
- You've played a key role in shaping technical direction and you take pride in shipping high-quality work.
- You're an experienced Lead or Principal Frontend Engineer with deep expertise in modern JavaScript frameworks and TypeScript. Vue.js is a big plus, but if you've built at scale with React, Angular, Svelte or similar and you're happy to pick up Vue, we'd love to hear from you. Strong experience with APIs and Node.js is also important.
- You're excited about using AI-assisted development to build faster and smarter.
- You're proactive, curious and an excellent communicator.
- You want ownership and the chance to set engineering standards, architecture and product direction from day one.
- You're confident working on your own and enjoy working with a small, talented team to deliver real impact.
- You'll stand out if you've worked in fast-paced start-ups, fintech, real-time consumer platforms or high-availability environments.
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The Company
This is a brand-new, fast-growing start-up with pre-seed backing. It was founded by an experienced leadership team with big international ambitions. They currently operate from London and Malta, and London will become the long-term technology and marketing hub.
The team is deliberately small and highly collaborative, with around 10–11 people in the UK and a further team in Malta. Their vision is to build world-class in-house technology as they scale globally across multiple regulated markets. You'll be one of the people who builds it.
Why You Should Do This Job
- A blank canvas: you'll build the frontend architecture from the ground up, not maintain someone else's.
- Real ownership and influence, at an early stage when your decisions shape everything that follows.
- Direct access to the founders, with a seat at the table for strategic technical decisions.
- Real technical leadership while you stay hands-on in the code.
- You'll build at scale: your work will roll out across multiple international markets.
- You'll help build an elite in-house engineering team as the company moves away from outsourced delivery.
- Modern tools and AI-assisted development, plus the freedom to experiment.
- A strong engineering culture built on collaboration and continuous learning.
- Fast-moving and low-bureaucracy: ideas go from whiteboard to production quickly.
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Salary + Package
£90k – £120k + benefits package.
Location
London-based, hybrid working with flexibility. The long-term technology hub will be in London.
What Should You Do Now?
If you're an experienced Principal Frontend Engineer who loves building, whether your background is Vue, React or another modern framework, and you want real ownership, modern technology and the chance to shape a high-growth international product from the ground up, click apply or send me your CV directly.
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