Front-End Engineer

Working Schedule

• Qualified Front-End Engineers’ schedules depend on their employer. Many work regular full-time jobs in offices, while others work from home on a contract basis. This career field includes many freelancers, including ones who reside overseas. In some cases, workers outside the US are able to offer lower rates due to the difference in currency exchange rates. All workers in this field must expect overtime hours when projects require meeting tight deadlines or when problems come up.

Typical Duties

• Meeting clients, project managers, potentially User Experience and User Interface designers, and Back-End Developers to brainstorm website design and content ideas 
• Discussing all of the required branding elements, content, graphics, audiovisual components, animations, desired functions, and other issues
• Planning the work needed for existing website overhauls and upgrades 
• Building prototype concepts and crafting graphics for review and feedback, based on inputs from other team members and clients
• Creating applicable code using a variety of languages to bring plans to life
• Additional Responsibilities
• Conducting extensive testing to ensure code operates as desired; adjusting as needed
• Knowing which team members are involved in any given project, and their roles and responsibilities
• Backing up files in case of problems

Soft Skills

• Strong listening skills
• Attention to detail
• Good phone and email etiquette 
• Customer service skills
• Professional demeanor
• Team-orientation
• Goal-focused
• Patient; ready to tackle challenges
• Analytical, critical thinking
• Creative, artistic, and flexible
• Familiarity with other team roles, such as content creators and SEO specialists
• General awareness of psychology and how users engage with sites
• Able to take feedback and criticism
• Organized with excellent time-management skills

Technical Skills

• Practical, hands-on experience with HTML/CSS, JavaScript languages
• Varying degrees of expertise with:
• jQuery 
• CSS and JavaScript frameworks (such as Bootstrap and AngularJS)
• CSS Preprocessors (like Sass, Less, Stylus, etc.)
• Version control software (Git)
• Responsive design
• Testing and debugging programs (such as Mocha or Jasmine)
• Browser developer tools; Building/Automation tools
• Web performance (Grunt, gulp)
• Command line 
• Knowledge of fast-moving trends related to website design and branding
• Understanding of social media app interaction and sharing features
• Willing to upskill as needed

• Computer systems design agencies
• Publishing 
• Advertising
• Management consulting firms
• Large companies and organizations 
• Healthcare industries
• Governmental agencies
• Self-employed

Virtually every organization in the world has some sort of online presence at this point, with unique websites being the norm. Technology has come a long way since the first mostly-text websites like CERN, Acme Labs, World Wide Web Worm, and Doctor Fun. Companies want high-speed, cutting-edge sites that grab your attention and hold onto it as they convert you from reader to paying customer. 
 
Non-corporate sites also want compelling designs that can effectively provide whatever their users are looking for. The pressure on Front-End Engineers can be massive, depending on the scope of the site’s purpose. That is why it is critical for workers to test and debug before launch, and to work closely with other members of the team to ensure the site is secure and can handle the expected traffic. Hackers are constantly on the lookout for vulnerabilities to exploit, to either crash sites, plant viruses, or steal information. 

Tech never stops changing and evolving, which is why web developers need to stay current on trends. From micro frontends to Atomic Design, there is a flood of innovations heading down the pipeline that Front-End Engineers should get on top of. Certifications may not keep up with the boots-on-the-ground changes, so it’s important to keep track by reading and networking with peers. 
 
Online shopping has skyrocketed in recent times, forcing many businesses to make major shifts in their operations that require significant website upgrades. Sites must also be mobile-friendly, which wasn’t always been the case in the past. As foreign workers compete for jobs, it’s important to sharpen English and other communication skills in order to gain or maintain a competitive edge over cheaper labor. 

Front-End Engineers work indoors a lot, and often alone. Many started out with an early interest in computers and technology in high school or before. There’s an emphasis on elegant design, which is why artistic personalities are often drawn to this field. Many workers have a keen sense of visual aesthetics and were probably interested in art, design, and multimedia projects, and may have enjoyed making videos or building hobby blogs and websites on GoDaddy, WordPress, or Wix. 
 
Although there’s ample time spent on one’s own, this job requires plenty of group effort and teamwork. Such collaborative skills are often honed during school or extracurricular activities. Employees must be eager partners, not rigid thinkers who want to “do everything their way.” 
 
In their free time, Front-End Engineers have likely always had a passion for learning new things and taking the initiative to master their skillsets without being told that they have to. In other words, they genuinely love their work! Possessing a well-developed sense of empathy, they can also put themselves in the shoes of managers, owners, clients, and other end users...an ability which may have been cultivated during childhood.