Principal Full Stack JavaScript Engineer Engineering ·

Hedgehoglab; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A digital product consultancy is looking for a Principal Full Stack JavaScript Engineer to lead hands-on engineering efforts. You will modernize a monolithic JavaScript platform into structured components, collaborating with senior engineers to drive technical direction. The role requires deep expertise in JavaScript and full-stack experience including Node.js. Strong communication skills and a pragmatic mindset focused on delivering outcomes are essential to thrive in a flat, collaborative team environment. This position is UK-based with flexible working options.

Benefits

28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

5 Impact Days per year for L&D, volunteering, or innovation

Flexible working environment

Enhanced parental policy

Annual wellbeing budget + two days of wellbeing

Mental health support

Company-supplied Apple Mac

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in JavaScript is essential, with TypeScript knowledge being advantageous.
• Strong full-stack experience is required, particularly with Node.js and API architecture.
• A pragmatic mindset toward quality and outcomes is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-stack engineering efforts focused on architecture and problem-solving.
• Break down existing systems into clearer components.
• Collaborate with senior engineers to influence technical direction.

Skills

JavaScript

Node.js

API architecture

TypeScript

Google Cloud

Vercel

Problem-solving

Communication

Tools

Apple Mac

Job description

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: UK-based (flexible home, office, or hybrid working)

Office locations: Newcastle and Leeds

Hub locations: Edinburgh, Manchester, London

We’re growing our Engineering team to strengthen our ability to deliver world-class digital products for our clients.

As a Principal Full Stack JavaScript Engineer, you’ll join a small, highly technical group tackling a complex transformation: breaking down a monolithic JavaScript platform into clearer, modern components.

This is an individual contributor role for someone who thrives on problem-solving, can ramp up quickly, and can collaborate confidently with other very strong engineers.

You’ll be hands‑on from day one, helping modernise architecture, improve maintainability, and set the foundations for future technology decisions, all while staying pragmatic and delivery‑focused.

What you’ll do

• Lead (hands‑on) full‑stack engineering across a JavaScript platform, with a strong focus on architecture and problem‑solving.
• Break down an existing monolithic system into well‑structured components and services.
• Work closely with senior client engineers, ask the right questions, and influence technical direction through evidence and collaboration.
• Support a move from Vercel‑hosted deployment towards a Google Cloud future, improving deployment and operational readiness.
• Contribute to authentication modernisation by integrating an identity platform rather than maintaining bespoke authentication.
• Deliver value quickly by quickly understanding the domain, codebase, and priorities.

Who is hedgehog lab

hedgehog lab is a digital product consultancy with 20 years of experience. Based in Northern England, we help global brands craft better digital experiences through technical excellence and human‑first collaboration.

hedgehog lab benefits

• 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• 5 Impact Days per year to spend on L&D, volunteering or innovation
• Flexible working environment
• Enhanced parental policy
• Annual wellbeing budget + two days of wellbeing
• Mental health support
• Company‑supplied Apple Mac

What we’re looking for

• Deep expertise in JavaScript (TypeScript a plus).
• Strong full‑stack experience, including Node.js and API architecture.
• A pragmatic mindset: you care about quality, but you also deliver outcomes and keep momentum.
• Confident communicator who can hold their own in technical discussions with senior engineers.
• Comfortable working in small, flat teams with little hierarchy and lots of collaboration.

Nice to have

• Experience with Google Cloud (especially identity or auth‑related services).
• Experience with Vercel or modern web deployment platforms.
• Interest or experience in open source communities or open source strategy.
• Exposure to geospatial/GIS/mapping products or highly interactive map UIs.

Ready to apply?

Submit your application below. Please note that we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.