Software Engineer

Wilsons Auctions

  • United Kingdom
  • £60,000 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 10 days ago
Wilsons Auctions is the largest independently owned auction house operating across the UK and Ireland. With a network of 10 centres, we continue to grow and are currently seeking to fill two exciting Software Engineer positions. These roles can be based at any of our regional offices in Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, or Dublin.About the role:Gavel is our enterprise-grade, end-to-end auction platform that powers both internal operations and the public-facing auction website. It’s a TypeScript monorepo with a NestJS API, React administrative portal, and a Next.js website, deployed on AWS with CDK. You’ll be responsible for ongoing development, bug fixes and iterative enhancements across the API, web app and customer website.Collaboration & knowledge transfer (first phase):Initially, you will work in close partnership with an established third-party supplier that currently supports and contributes to the Gavel platform’s development. This collaboration continues until the internal team has acquired sufficient system knowledge to take full ownership. You’ll help facilitate structured knowledge transfer, align ways of working, and progressively reduce external dependency.Key responsibilities:
  • Deliver features and fixes across the Gavel monorepo (API, admin portal, public website) with a focus on reliability, accessibility, and performance.
  • Maintain and evolve the backend (NestJS + TypeORM) and our Aurora MySQL Serverless v2 schema and migrations; ensure data integrity and query performance at scale.
  • Enhance the Next.js website for SEO, Core Web Vitals and fast content delivery using CloudFront and optimised media pipelines.
  • Build real-time auction capabilities (e.g., Socket.IO or AppSync) and maintain robust search experiences via OpenSearch.
  • Own integrations end-to-end: implement, monitor and harden connections with Reapit, CAP HPI, Experian, Cartel, AuthiPay, Prommt, NextGear, Impel, AIB, HMRC VAT Lookup, Google Places, Barcode Lookup, Credas, AWS Rekognition, AWS SES, and Campaign Manager (among others).
  • Operate what you build: instrument, monitor and tune services using CloudWatch, optimisation in OpenSearch, and caching via ElastiCache/Redis.
  • Contribute to CI/CD and IaC: write automated tests, maintain pipelines (GitLab, CodeBuild/CodeDeploy), and update infrastructure through AWS CDK.
  • Champion security: apply best practices around Cognito (incl. M365 federation), IAM least-privilege, encryption with KMS, WAF, secrets management and auditable changes.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Ops and Support to triage issues, scope work, and deliver incremental value safely and predictably.
Technical environment:
  • Languages & frameworks: TypeScript, NestJS, React, Next.js; monorepo via Lerna & Yarn workspaces.
  • Data & messaging: Aurora MySQL Serverless v2 (RDS), TypeORM migrations, ElastiCache/Redis, Bull queues.
  • Search & real-time: OpenSearch; Socket.IO and AWS AppSync for live updates and bidding.
  • Storage & delivery: S3, CloudFront; image optimisation (Sharp/Lambda).
  • Auth & security: AWS Cognito (incl. M365 federation), IAM, KMS, WAF, Secrets Manager.
  • CI/CD & IaC: GitLab CI, CodeBuild/CodeDeploy, AWS CDK (TypeScript).
  • Internal libraries: GCD Technologies Acorn modules (assets, audit, authentication, CRUD, notifications, users, notes).
Skills & ExperienceMust-have
  • Proven experience with TypeScript services (NestJS/Node) and modern React/Next.js front-ends.
  • Strong MySQL fundamentals (schema design, indexing, performance) and ORM migrations (TypeORM).
  • Production experience on AWS (S3, CloudFront, EC2/ECS, RDS/Aurora, ElastiCache, Cognito) and IaC (CDK).
  • Integrating third-party APIs (REST/SOAP), webhooks and payment/KYC flows.
  • Testing mindset (unit, integration, E2E) and CI/CD automation.
  • Security awareness (MFA, JWT, sanitisation, least privilege).
Nice-to-have
  • Real-time systems (Socket.IO, AppSync) and eventing patterns for high-traffic auctions.
  • Search relevance and indexing pipelines (OpenSearch).
  • Experience with the Acorn ecosystem.
  • SEO and web-vitals optimisation for Next.js at scale.
How we work:
  • Environments: Production, Staging, UAT, Test; non-prod is cost-optimised (right-sized services, schedules).
  • Observability: CloudWatch dashboards & alerts; optional X-Ray for traces.
  • Security by design: VPC isolation, WAF, KMS encryption at rest/in transit, Secrets Manager; comprehensive audit trails.
  • Collaboration with supplier: embedded ways of working, shared backlogs, code reviews and documentation focused on handover readiness (knowledge-capture checklists, run-books).
Equal opportunities & development:We’re committed to fair, consistent hiring, structured induction, and ongoing training for all employees, in line with the Employee Handbook (UK) and local equivalents where applicable.Why work at Wilsons Auctions?Wilsons Auctions is committed to providing first-rate sales and services to both buyers and sellers through a professional and personal approach, backed by the latest technological advances and industry trends.Employee benefits include: * Additional holidays
  • Employee spending discounts
  • Health & wellbeing incentives
  • Professional development & growth
  • Opportunity for advancements
  • Mental health first aid access
  • Employee recognition
  • Length of service bonus
  • Pension scheme
  • Retirement bonus
  • Bereavement leave
  • On site parking
  • Full uniform provided
  • Paid eye examinations
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:30pmWilsons Auctions reserves the right to apply desirable criteria for shortlisting purposes in the event of high volume of applications.At Wilsons Auctions, we embrace diversity and equal opportunity. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, friendly workplace that values the unique skills and perspectives each individual brings.

Wilsons Auctions