Software Engineers (web apps) design, build, and maintain the applications people use every day in their browser—everything from internal tools and dashboards to large-scale consumer products. They turn product and UX requirements into secure, performant, and accessible frontends and backends (or full-stack solutions), integrate with APIs and databases, and ensure the app behaves reliably across devices, browsers, and network conditions. They collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to ship features, fix bugs, improve performance, and keep the codebase maintainable as the product and user base grow.
Why In Demand
The browser is the default workplace – Most business tools, platforms, and customer portals run in the browser, so organisations constantly need web engineers to build and evolve these experiences.
Growth of SaaS and product-led businesses – Modern SaaS companies live or die on the quality of their web apps, putting strong demand on engineers who can ship fast, reliable, user-friendly products.
Rapid evolution of web technologies – New frameworks, APIs, and capabilities (WebAssembly, PWAs, realtime, WebRTC) require engineers who can adopt and apply them effectively.
Need for secure, scalable systems – As more sensitive data and critical workflows move online, companies rely on web engineers to build apps that are resilient, secure, and able to handle high traffic.
Integration with AI, data, and other services – Web apps are often the primary interface for AI features, analytics, and third-party platforms, increasing demand for engineers who can integrate and orchestrate complex systems via the web.
Problem Solved
Software Engineers (web apps) solve the problem of turning ideas, workflows, and business rules into fast, reliable, and secure applications that run in the browser. Without them, companies end up with clunky tools, manual spreadsheets, or outdated systems that are hard to maintain, don’t scale, and frustrate users. Web engineers handle everything from the look-and-feel of the interface to the performance, security, and reliability of the backend, integrating with databases, APIs, payments, identity providers, and third-party platforms so users can get real work done efficiently online.
How Software Engineers (web apps) create value and solve problems
- Deliver intuitive, accessible user experiences – They turn designs into responsive, accessible, and user-friendly interfaces that reduce friction, errors, and training time for customers and internal teams.
- Ensure performance and reliability at scale – They optimise frontend and backend performance, caching, and database queries so apps load quickly, handle high traffic, and avoid crashes or timeouts.
- Integrate complex systems into a single experience – They connect the web app to APIs, databases, authentication, payments, analytics, and partner services to provide a seamless end-to-end workflow.
- Replace manual and legacy processes – They automate tasks previously done via email, spreadsheets, or old desktop tools, cutting errors, saving time, and improving data consistency and auditability.
- Enable rapid iteration and innovation – They build modular, testable code and CI/CD pipelines to release new features and improvements frequently and at low risk, keeping the product competitive.
- Protect data and user trust – They implement secure coding practices, access control, input validation, and encryption, reducing the risk of breaches, downtime, and regulatory or reputational damage.
Skills Needed
| Skill Category | Skills (with importance /10) |
|---|---|
| Technical | HTML/CSS fundamentals (10), JavaScript/TypeScript proficiency (10), Modern frontend framework (React/Vue/Angular) (9), Backend basics (Node/.NET/Java) (6), Automated testing (unit/e2e) (7), DevOps/infra scripting (Docker, CI config) (3) |
| Digital & Data | REST/JSON API usage (9), Browser devtools debugging (9), Logging & monitoring basics (7), Product analytics tools (GA, Mixpanel, etc.) (6), Data warehousing concepts (3) |
| Problem-Solving | Debugging complex issues (10), Edge-case & failure-mode thinking (8), Breaking features into small tasks (8), Algorithmic thinking (6), Formal optimisation techniques (2) |
| Analytics | Web performance metrics (LCP, FID, etc.) (9), Using dashboards for errors & funnels (8), Basic SQL/queries (5), A/B test result interpretation (5), Advanced statistics & experimentation design (2) |
| Communication | Clear PRs, tickets & comments (9), Explaining technical trade-offs to non-devs (8), Concise stand-up & planning updates (8), Writing internal docs / READMEs (7), Conference talks / external blogging (2) |
| Collaboration | Code reviews & pair programming (8), Working with product managers (8), Working with designers/UX (7), Cross-team collaboration on shared services (7), Facilitating workshops/ceremonies (3) |
| Leadership | Owning features end-to-end (8), Driving technical improvements in an area (7), Mentoring junior engineers (6), Contributing to tech direction in squad (5), Formal people management (2) |
| Business | Understanding product goals & KPIs (7), Effort estimation & planning (8), Awareness of infra/runtime costs (5), Reading basic business metrics or P&L (3), Pricing/packaging strategy input (1) |
| Strategic | Architectural thinking at component/service level (7), Knowing when to refactor vs ship (7), Long-term view on tech debt (6), Evaluating new tools & frameworks (5), Understanding high-level corporate strategy (2) |
| Customers | Empathy for end-user workflows (8), Accessibility & inclusivity awareness (8), Using user feedback & support tickets (6), Reading UX research & usability findings (6), Joining sales/customer calls (2) |
| Stakeholders | Communicating status, risks & blockers (7), Negotiating scope & timelines with PMs (7), Supporting support/sales with technical insight (5), Writing technical notes for clients/internal teams (4), Handling exec-level Q&A (3) |
| Adaptability | Learning new libs/frameworks quickly (9), Handling changing requirements (8), Working across the stack when needed (7), Adapting to remote/distributed work practices (6), Navigating large-org politics/processes (2) |
| Governance | Secure coding & OWASP awareness (9), Privacy/cookie banner basics (GDPR, etc.) (7), Code review & branching discipline (8), Maintaining documentation & change history (6), Formal compliance frameworks (ISO, SOC2, etc.) (3) |
