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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for React Developer

💰 $90,000 - $130,000

Software DevelopmentFront‑End EngineeringWeb Applications

🎯 Role Definition

The React Developer is a front‑end specialist who designs, builds, and maintains dynamic web applications using the React library. Working closely with UX/UI designers, backend engineers and product teams, this role translates wireframes and designs into high‑quality, responsive, component‑based code. The React Developer optimises performance, ensures cross‑browser compatibility, manages state with modern tools, integrates with APIs and contributes to the architecture of user‑facing systems.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Front‑End Developer (JS/HTML/CSS)
  • Web Developer with React experience
  • UI Engineer/Interactive Developer

Advancement To:

  • Senior React Developer / Lead Front‑End Engineer
  • Principal Front‑End Architect or UI Tech Lead
  • Director of Front‑End Engineering or Head of Web Platforms

Lateral Moves:

  • Full‑Stack Developer (React + Node.js)
  • Mobile App Developer (React Native)
  • UI/UX Developer with advanced interaction focus

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  1. Develop and maintain user‑facing features using React.js, building reusable components and front‑end libraries for future use.
  2. Translate UI/UX designs, wireframes and mockups into clean, maintainable, front‑end code that adheres to brand guidelines and performance criteria.
  3. Optimise components for maximum performance across a wide range of devices and browsers; identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions.
  4. Implement state management solutions (Redux, Context API, MobX) to handle complex application logic and ensure data consistency.
  5. Integrate front‑end interfaces with RESTful APIs or GraphQL endpoints, working alongside backend engineers to ensure seamless data flow.
  6. Participate in code reviews, provide feedback, enforce best practices and contribute to front‑end engineering standards and frameworks.
  7. Maintain and improve legacy codebases: refactor components, update dependencies, improve modularity and reduce technical debt.
  8. Write unit tests, integration tests and end‑to‑end tests for front‑end features using tools such as Jest, Enzyme or React Testing Library.
  9. Collaborate with UX/UI designers and product managers to optimise usability, accessibility and visual consistency, ensuring high‑quality user experience.
  10. Configure and maintain build and deployment pipelines (Webpack, Babel, NPM/Yarn scripts, CI/CD) for front‑end assets.
  11. Document front‑end architecture, component libraries, coding conventions and deployment workflows to support team scalability.
  12. Mentor junior front‑end developers, share knowledge of React ecosystem, enforce code quality and support their professional development.
  13. Stay current with emerging front‑end technologies, React updates, browser standards and industry trends and evaluate their relevance for the team.
  14. Implement A/B tests and feature flags in collaboration with product and analytics teams to measure impact and iterate on user‑facing features.
  15. Ensure accessibility and internationalisation standards are met (WCAG, ARIA support, multi‑language UI) across React applications.
  16. Collaborate with DevOps and backend teams to optimise server‑side rendering (SSR), code‑splitting, lazy‑loading and performance‑monitoring to reduce time‑to‑interactive.
  17. Troubleshoot front‑end production issues: debugging UI bugs, performance regressions, browser compatibility issues and user‑reported problems.
  18. Manage version control workflows (Git, branching strategy) and coordinate releases of front‑end features in an agile environment.
  19. Drive front‑end component library development: build, document and distribute shared UI components and design system assets across multiple applications.
  20. Participate in sprint planning, backlog grooming and stand‑up meetings; estimate tasks, define front‑end scope and align with product timelines.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad‑hoc data requests and exploratory analysis of front‑end metrics (load time, render speed, component usage) to support performance improvements.
  • Contribute to the organisation’s front‑end roadmap by recommending tools, frameworks and workflows that enhance React‑based development efficiency.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate user requirements and design specifications into engineering tickets, component architecture and feature releases.
  • Participate in cross‑functional agile ceremonies, code‑share sessions and peer learning to promote engineering excellence in React development.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert proficiency in JavaScript (ES6+), including core language concepts, DOM manipulation and asynchronous programming.
  • Deep understanding of React.js fundamentals (JSX, virtual DOM, component lifecycle, hooks, context) and modern tooling.
  • Experience with state management libraries such as Redux, MobX or Context API and middleware (e.g., Redux‑Thunk or Redux‑Saga).
  • Strong skills in front‑end build tools and bundlers (Webpack, Babel, NPM/Yarn) and module systems.
  • Familiarity with RESTful APIs or GraphQL, JSON, HTTP and integration with backend services.
  • Proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, responsive design, CSS preprocessors (SASS/LESS), styled‑components or CSS‑in‑JS frameworks.
  • Experience writing automated tests: unit, integration and E2E (Jest, Enzyme, React Testing Library, Cypress).
  • Knowledge of front‑end performance optimisation, code‑splitting, lazy‑loading, browser caching and mobile‑first development.
  • Comfortable with Git, version control workflows, branching strategies and collaborative development.
  • Awareness of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.x), browser compatibility, internationalisation/localisation and UI/UX best practices.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills: able to engage with designers, backend developers, product managers and stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving ability: diagnose complex front‑end issues, propose solutions and implement changes.
  • High attention to detail and quality: ensure UI components are polished, performant and consistent.
  • Time‑management and prioritisation: manage multiple features, deadlines and deliverables in agile sprints.
  • Adaptability and continuous‑learning mindset: stay current with front‑end ecosystem changes and apply new techniques.
  • Mentoring and teamwork: support junior developers, encourage knowledge sharing and contribute to a strong front‑end culture.
  • Strategic thinking: align front‑end implementation with business goals, user experience objectives and product vision.
  • Customer‑focus mindset: understand user journeys, anticipate needs and deliver front‑end solutions that enhance user engagement.
  • Resilience and flexibility: work effectively in fast‑moving environments, manage ambiguity and adapt to shifting priorities.
  • Ownership and accountability: take responsibility for front‑end deliverables, maintain code quality and drive technical excellence.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Web Development or related field.
Preferred Education:
Advanced degree or certification in front‑end engineering, Web Technologies or UX design.
Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science / Software Engineering
  • Web Development
  • Human‑Computer Interaction
  • Interactive Media

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
3–5 years of professional experience in React or front‑end development roles.
Preferred:
5+ years of experience in building and deploying React applications in production, leading front‑end projects and mentoring team members.