Lead Software Engineer – React  

The Opportunity

The Lead Software Engineer (React) will help shape Challenger's next generation of digital experiences. Working within the Digital team and supporting the Customer Technology Uplift (CTU) programme, you'll lead the greenfield development of a modern, scalable React platform that delivers intuitive, secure and connected experiences. 

As Challenger's React subject matter expert, you'll combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership - building the portal framework, component libraries, engineering standards and CI/CD pipelines that future teams will build on, while staying actively involved in coding, code reviews and solution design. You'll work closely with Product, Architecture, Design and Accenture delivery teams, translating technical decisions into terms the wider business can act on - leading through influence. 

This role will set the technical foundations for Challenger's greenfield digital capability - defining the architecture, engineering standards and delivery practices that future portal experiences will be built on. 

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Standards 

• Lead the design and ongoing evolution of Challenger's React portal architecture, frameworks and engineering standards 

• Own the technical integrity of the React platform as new capabilities are introduced, partnering with Solution Architects, Designers and delivery teams on scalable, secure, maintainable solutions 

• Shape decisions on React, micro-frontend architecture, API integration, authentication and platform scalability 

• Evaluate new technologies and engineering approaches to improve quality, performance and developer productivity 

Hands-On Delivery & Quality 

• Design and maintain high-quality React applications and reusable front-end components, staying actively involved in coding, code reviews and troubleshooting 

• Review and validate code quality across development teams, including AI-assisted development outputs, ensuring adherence to engineering standards 

• Establish and maintain shared component libraries and development patterns that enable scalable delivery across multiple portal experiences 

• Integrate front-end applications with enterprise APIs and Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) patterns, working with identity, security and backend teams to deliver seamless customer experiences 

• Design and implement CI/CD pipelines and quality controls — testing, code review, security and release management that support secure, automated, reliable delivery 

• Identify and resolve performance, scalability, accessibility and maintainability issues, and support observability and operational readiness across portal environments 

Partnership & Influence 

• Provide technical leadership and informed challenge to engineering teams and delivery partners, including Accenture, acting as a credible counterpart in design and delivery discussions 

• Communicate technical trade-offs clearly to Product Owners and non-technical stakeholders, translating architectural decisions into business impact 

• Lead delivery through influence rather than direct reports — setting direction and standards that Accenture and internal teams build against 

• Help establish Challenger's internal capability and technical ownership within the portal programme as it matures 

The Team 

This role reports to the Product Owner, Digital, and forms part of the Digital team and Customer Technology Uplift (CTU) programme. You'll work closely with Product Owners, Solution Architects, UX/UI Designers, Technology Delivery Leads, Integration teams and Security specialists, and partner extensively with our technology partner's engineering teams - operating as an embedded technical lead alongside on and offshore delivery resources. 

While the role initially has no direct reports, it is expected to take on responsibility for a developer as the internal React capability grows. 

About You

• Significant proven hands-on experience designing, building and supporting enterprise-scale greenfield developments of React platforms, establishing the foundational architecture, application framework and reusable component libraries 

• Deep expertise in modern React architecture, including component composition, custom hooks and local, shared and server-state management, with the ability to select and govern patterns that support scalability, maintainability and performance 

• Experience establishing front-end frameworks, engineering standards, reusable component libraries and development guardrails 

• Experience integrating front-end applications with enterprise APIs and Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) architecture patterns 

• Exposure to AI-assisted software development tools and experience governing or validating AI-generated code 

• Experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines and automated software delivery processes 

• Experience conducting code reviews and maintaining engineering quality standards 

• Demonstrated ability to balance hands-on development with technical leadership - influencing technical decisions and providing informed challenge to engineering teams, delivery partners or systems integrators 

• Experience delivering customer, adviser or self-service digital portal solutions 

• Experience working within large-scale digital transformation or platform modernisation programmes 

• Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience 

Why Join Challenger? 
 
You'll join Australia's leading investment management firm - a business with a clear vision to deliver customers financial security for a better retirement. As Challenger's React subject matter expert, you'll set the technical foundations for a brand-new digital capability, with the scope to shape architecture, standards and delivery practices from day one.

For an engineer seeking greater strategic influence, genuine greenfield ownership and the chance to build something that scales, this is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting technical footprint. 
 
We provide access to a range of exclusive employee benefits that will support you both personally and professionally and a hybrid work environment including. 

• Discretionary bonus scheme  

• Employee share plan  

• Eighteen weeks paid leave for all new parents  

• Flexibility on when, and how, parental leave is taken  

• Challenger Day – one extra day off every year in recognition of the effort our people make  

• Subsidised on-site café and fantastic central location a stone's throw from Martin Place Metro  

• Additional support leave (fertility treatment leave, gender affirmation leave)  

• Access to Fitness Passport  

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