Senior Frontend Software Engineer

About the Role

First Focus is seeking an experienced Senior Frontend Software Engineer with strong expertise in TypeScript and frontend development, complemented by a passion for agentic AI. This role involves designing robust solutions, guiding AI agents effectively, and ensuring the final product is secure, maintainable, and functional. Candidates should critically evaluate AI-generated code rather than blindly accepting it, discerning quality and accuracy.

Company Overview

Based in New Zealand, First Focus is a managed service provider supporting over 1,000 organizations with technology solutions. Beyond managed IT services, they are expanding their software engineering capabilities to develop business applications, customer portals, internal platforms, integrations, and AI-based solutions. Their culture prizes curiosity, practicality, and a focus on delivering quality work with minimal bureaucracy.

About the Contract

This opportunity is a 12-month independent contractor engagement focused on building modern frontend applications and promoting practical agentic AI development practices. The role primarily involves TypeScript and modern frontend technologies with an emphasis on responsive, maintainable applications and reusable UI components. Full-stack experience is advantageous. Candidates will incorporate AI coding agents into daily workflows for code exploration, feature implementation, testing, reviewing, and delivery improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop modern, responsive frontend applications using TypeScript.
• Create reusable UI components and collaborate with UX/UI designers on shared design systems.
• Translate design specifications into accessible, production-ready user experiences.
• Own feature lifecycle from design through development, testing, and deployment.
• Utilize AI coding agents for coding, debugging, testing, refactoring, and documenting.
• Decompose complex tasks into clear, executable tasks for AI agents.
• Develop effective AI workflows including instructions, context management, and code review processes.
• Evaluate AI-generated code for quality, security, performance, and maintainability.
• Build automated testing and validation processes for dependable software delivery.
• Collaborate on API integrations and backend services when necessary.
• Share knowledge and assist peers in adopting agentic AI development methods.

Required Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in building production-grade frontend applications with TypeScript and JavaScript.
• Deep understanding of component-based architecture, reusable UI libraries, and design systems.
• Experience handling application state, API integration, asynchronous programming, performance optimization, and accessibility.
• Sound engineering judgment concerning architecture, security, and maintainability.
• Hands-on experience employing AI coding agents effectively in development projects.
• Ability to manage AI agents with clear task definition, context provision, and validation.
• Strong skills in testing, debugging, code reviews, version control, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).
• Capability to work independently, communicate effectively, and produce high-quality results.

Preferred (Bonus) Experience

• Full-stack development, including backend services and API design.
• Experience with agent orchestration, multi-agent workflows, or parallel task handling.
• Practice with specification-driven development and structured AI workflows.
• Automated testing and validation pipelines for AI-generated code.
• AI-assisted code reviews, refactoring, and addressing technical debt.
• Cloud-native application development and managed backend services.
• Knowledge of AI agent security, tool permissions, secret management, and secure code reviews.

Who Will Excel in This Role

• Experienced engineers who understand that AI complements but does not replace sound engineering judgment.
• Individuals comfortable delegating routine work to AI agents but vigilant to step in and correct AI mistakes.
• Those committed to clean architecture, maintainable code, security, and exceptional user experiences.
• Engineers who collaborate with designers to create more than just functional components.
• Those who value quality specifications over quantity of code and appreciate the difference between demos and production-ready software.
• Curious technologists who balance innovation with practicality.

Additional Information

This is an independent contractor position for 12 months, with no employee benefits or entitlements. First Focus encourages neurodiverse candidates to apply and provides flexible options to best demonstrate skills. AI-assisted recruitment tools are used within the hiring process, adhering to New Zealand privacy laws.

Location and Work Arrangement

This is an onsite role based in Auckland, New Zealand.