Introduction
As a Senior Frontend Developer in London, UK, I'm at a crossroads in my career. Reflecting on my current role and aspirations, I've realised it's time for a change. Here's a snapshot of where I am and the steps I'm considering to reshape my professional path.
Current Situation
I am a Senior Frontend Developer based in London, UK. I am currently working as the Technical Lead for a team building a greenfield mobile app in React Native, replacing an existing Xamarin app. This role has been my first full-time experience with React Native, presenting new challenges and learning opportunities, such as binding native modules and maintaining performance at 60 fps. However, after mastering these skills, the work has become mundane.
Reflections on Current Role
Like web development, the novelty wears off, and the backend teams handle all the new business logic. Decision-making in my current role is limited to selecting sprint tickets, which feels unsustainable. This doesn't feel like Software "Engineering"—it's more about using frameworks and libraries to meet business needs.
Can I see myself doing this for another year?
No.
Future Prospects
Are there many places that will offer me better opportunities if I remain a frontend React developer? Probably not. The JavaScript ecosystem evolves quickly, but UK companies don't. The "fast-paced environment" often translates to mismanagement and unrealistic goals.
I started in game development, which was engaging and diverse. I may need to evolve to find new challenges interesting again.
What can I do?
I've taken the opportunity to contribute to the platform team, developing internal developer tooling that has significantly reduced testing cycle times. I've also integrated native GPS, gyroscope, and accelerometer features to simulate values for third-party validation. Additionally, I'm working on tools to speed up core dependency upgrades. These efforts, while meaningful, only partially satisfy my desire for more engaging work.
But is that it?
No, these contributions make my current role less mundane but not fulfilling. So, what's next?
Escape
I may need to leave the frontend space. This is challenging because most UK opportunities are in financial institutions, and I'm not keen on becoming a Quantitative Developer. While this might be a possibility, I must explore it further.
So, what does that journey look like?
A more direct path might be transitioning to a fullstack or software engineer role, contributing across the entire product. Start-ups could be ideal since they often use technologies like Node.js to quickly find product-market fit, unlike established companies with dedicated backend teams.
And until then?
In the meantime, I can focus on personal projects. I have several ideas for end-to-end products, not just frontend experiments. This site can serve as a hub for these projects.
Conclusion
Navigating a career shift is challenging but exciting. As I explore these new paths, I welcome any insights or suggestions from those who have made similar transitions. Let's connect and share our journeys.