Front-end Developer

Description

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is looking for a front-end developer with a willingness to get involved in all aspects of software development in a small team.

The Foundation is a UK-based not for profit organisation aiming to inspire every child to create their best digital future.

Following in the footsteps of the pioneering BBC Micro in the 1980s, the project started in collaboration with the BBC in 2016. There are now more than 5 million BBC micro:bit devices in use across 70 countries. The micro:bit is at the heart of a diverse ecosystem of hardware accessories, software editors and educational resource providers.

Working at the Foundation is an opportunity to support and positively impact students and partners around the world.

Working with the Web Tech Lead and wider tech team, you will support the process for publishing content to our website and develop web applications that complement the micro:bit hardware. These include “micro:bit classroom” which provides connectivity between students and teachers in a virtual classroom and an online editor/develoment environment for students to write Python code.

The role will employ a wide range of skills and gives the chance to work on different parts of the web stack across several projects. We don’t expect you to have experience in all areas of our stack, but to give a flavour:

• Front-end code uses React and TypeScript (including the Python editor).
• The microbit.org website uses the Gatsby static site generator paired with the Sanity headless CMS.
• We use Create React App as a basis for new apps, supported by backend code in AWS Lambda (Node.js) and Pusher for WebSocket-based communication.
• We deploy to AWS via CI/CD pipelines using CircleCI or GitHub actions.
• Extensions to the Microsoft MakeCode coding environment use TypeScript with a little C++.

The micro:bit draws on technology from our global partners, and we work closely with engineering teams inside Arm, Microsoft, MIT, Nominet and with the global Python Community to deliver innovative products that transform the way computing is taught around the world.

Location: The Foundation believes in offering flexibility to our team. This role is currently planned to work from our Oxford office 3-4 days a week when the situation allows, our team are currently working remotely. However, significant flexibility is available to support family or personal commitments.

Requirements:

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is committed to improving the diversity of our team. We actively seek and welcome applications from women, and from all sections of the community. We monitor our performance in this regard, using a questionnaire at the end of the application process. This is viewed by the operations team only, the aggregated data is shared with the wider team. The questionnaire is entirely optional but is hugely valuable for us to understand our performance in this area.

• 3 or more years experience in a relevant role or equivalent familiarity with the key aspects of the role.
• Empathetic and effective communication. The role requires regular communication with our Education team and others in the organisation as part of planning and design of new features and day-to-day operations.
• Experience with modern JavaScript or TypeScript and a reactive front-end web framework (Angular, React, Vue or similar). We will also consider applications with a broad experience of web development and a demonstrable interest in learning React.
• Excited to learn new tools and approaches.
• Diligent in delivering robust and maintainable solutions.

If you don’t feel you match these requirements but are interested in the role, please feel free to apply and explain further those areas where you might need support or would like to further your experience in your covering letter.

Benefits:

Salary range 40-45K GBP

One of the greatest benefits of working at micro:bit is knowing that the work you're doing is contributing to something positive, constructive and with beneficial social outcomes. The Micro:bit Educational Foundation offers the opportunity to include outreach activities in your work, these can include working with tech community groups, teaching with the micro:bit at code clubs and so on.

We are a small organisation with a large audience and reach. We thrive on creative problem solving and are open to new ideas and solutions. This gives each individual the chance to have enormous impact, as well as ensuring that your days will be diverse and the challenges complex.

Contractual Benefits include flexibility in working hours, unlimited annual leave once probationary period is complete and a competitive pension arrangement.

Application and recruitment schedule

There is no fixed closing date for this role. We will be conducting interviews on an ongoing basis.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.