Senior Software Engineer, (Frontend)

As a Senior Software Engineer at SmartNews, your responsibilities will include updating and transforming our news applications across iOS, Android, and Web platforms. You’ll work closely with engineers, designers, and data scientists to create a modern and engaging news experience. Collaboration is key, especially as you interact with various teams, including those located internationally. Additionally, you'll be expected to iterate rapidly in a fast-paced environment while taking ownership of projects to ensure their success.

To apply for the Senior Software Engineer position at SmartNews, you should have at least 5+ years of experience in frontend product development, specifically with technologies such as React, React Native, and TypeScript. You should also demonstrate a strong ability to thrive in rapid-prototyping scenarios and exhibit a self-motivated, results-driven approach to project management. While prior experience in backend system development and interests in news or journalism are not mandatory, they are considered advantageous.

The working environment at SmartNews is designed to be collaborative and dynamic. As a Frontend Engineer, you will be part of an international team that encourages rapid learning and iteration. The company values feedback and discussion, which means your ideas and perspectives are welcomed. You will also have access to resources that promote innovation and creativity, allowing you to navigate challenges effectively in your role.

While the core requirements for the Senior Software Engineer role focus on React and TypeScript expertise, some nice-to-have skills include experiences in building products that utilize AI, ML, or LLM prompts. Having a background in backend system development can also be beneficial. Additionally, familiarity with the news industry or experience working in a multilingual environment can enhance your candidature and contribute to the team’s diverse insights.

Employees at SmartNews enjoy a competitive compensation package that ranges from $170,000 to $230,000 USD base salary, along with bonus options and equity. Other benefits include an employer-matching 401(k) plan, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, monthly allowances, and complimentary lunches and snacks at the office. This robust benefits package reflects SmartNews’s commitment to supporting its employees’ well-being and professional growth.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you utilized React. Discuss your contributions, any challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the impact your work had on the project’s success. Show enthusiasm for React and highlight your understanding of component-based architecture.

To effectively prioritize tasks, I usually assess the impact and urgency of each feature. Using tools like JIRA can help visualize workloads. I also communicate with my team to understand dependencies and aim to tackle the most critical tasks first, ensuring timely delivery while maintaining quality standards.

Gathering user feedback effectively involves engaging directly with users through surveys or testing sessions. I analyze the feedback to identify patterns and trends, which helps inform product iterations. Open discussions with my team ensure that the feedback is valued and considered in our development processes.

Responsive design is crucial as it ensures a seamless user experience across devices and screen sizes. It enhances accessibility, reduces bounce rates, and improves SEO. When answering, provide examples of how you’ve implemented responsive design principles in your previous projects.

When discussing a challenging problem, structure your answer using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Detail the issue, your proposed solutions, what actions you took, and the positive outcome. This demonstrates problem-solving skills and showcases your technical ability effectively.

I typically favor tools like VS Code for coding due to its robust extension support and debugging capabilities. I also utilize Git for version control, allowing collaborative work. Mentioning other tools you’ve used, such as testing libraries or build tools, illustrates your readiness for best practices in development.

Staying updated involves following reputable tech blogs, participating in online communities, and attending developer meetups or conferences. I’m always eager to learn new frameworks or tools that can optimize my development process and enhance the user experience.

Discuss any previous roles that involved collaboration with teams from different countries. Highlight your adaptability, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively across diverse cultures. This highlights your capacity to thrive in an international environment, like the one at SmartNews.

Testing is essential in my development process as it ensures code quality and reduces bugs. I employ unit testing and integration testing at various stages and involve automated testing where suitable. This helps speed up development and offers peace of mind when deploying.

I tackle ambiguity by first seeking clarity through discussions with stakeholders and team members. I break tasks down into manageable pieces, create prototypes to test ideas, and remain flexible as I gather information and feedback along the way. This adaptability is crucial in a fast-paced environment.