Front-end Engineer (Permanent – Onsite – Tokushima, Japan)

An opportunity has come through our network for a Front-end Engineer at 株式会社山のせ, a dynamic company deeply rooted in the food and beverage industry, with operations spanning restaurants, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality. This full-time, permanent position, based onsite in Tokushima, Japan, is crucial for the development, maintenance, and upkeep of their original in-house business systems, including their innovative “Frontix” groupware. You’ll contribute directly to enhancing operational efficiency and employee satisfaction through technology, utilizing know-how cultivated over 40 years in the restaurant industry.

What You’ll Be Doing: Developing and Maintaining Core Business Systems

As a Front-end Engineer, you’ll be instrumental in shaping and sustaining the digital backbone of a leading food and beverage and hospitality enterprise. Your responsibilities will blend hands-on development with system maintenance and infrastructure support, all aimed at creating a seamless experience for both customers and employees.

• Development, Maintenance, and Upkeep of Original In-House Business Systems: You will be a key contributor to the entire lifecycle of developing, maintaining, and providing ongoing upkeep for original in-house business systems. This involves writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code for core functionalities, implementing new features, resolving bugs, and ensuring the continuous smooth operation of proprietary software that is essential to the company’s daily operations across its restaurants and retail stores. Your work will directly impact how internal processes are managed and how information is shared within the organization.
• Application Development, Maintenance, and Upkeep: Beyond core business systems, you will also be actively involved in broader application development, maintenance, and upkeep. This includes working on various software applications that support different aspects of the business, from customer-facing interfaces to internal management tools. Your responsibilities will encompass coding new features, debugging existing applications, ensuring their stability, and performing necessary updates to keep them current and high-performing.
• Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Upkeep of Internal Infrastructure: You will contribute significantly to the underlying technological framework, participating in the construction, operation, maintenance, and upkeep of internal infrastructure. This might involve configuring servers (e.g., Linux), managing basic network equipment, and ensuring that the foundational IT environment is robust, secure, and supports all business systems and applications effectively. Your work here provides the essential groundwork for reliable operations.
• Project Management: You will engage in Project Management activities, contributing to the planning, execution, and monitoring of various IT initiatives. This could involve defining project scope, setting timelines, coordinating tasks with team members, tracking progress, and ensuring that projects are delivered on schedule and meet their objectives. Your involvement helps steer technological advancements within the company.

About Our System: Frontix

Our client’s core system, Frontix, is a “groupware for small and medium-sized businesses” specifically designed with a full range of functions necessary for the restaurant industry. This comprehensive in-house system provides capabilities for internal information sharing (acting as an in-house portal), employee management, and sales management. Leveraging know-how cultivated over 40 years in the restaurant industry, Frontix aims to create a robust framework that improves the efficiency of the food and beverage sector. By consolidating internal information in one place, the system has significantly enhanced the organization’s business performance.

What You Bring: Essential Skills for a Front-End Engineer in Japan

To excel as a Front-end Engineer in this role, you’ll need a strong blend of language proficiency, academic background, and practical experience in system development and front-end technologies.

• Bilingual Proficiency (Japanese & English): You must possess Business Level Japanese (JLPT N2 or higher), demonstrating strong proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking to collaborate effectively within the local team and manage Japanese-language systems. Additionally, Business Level English (TOEIC 800 or above is a benchmark, but a test is not required) is essential for engaging with broader technical resources and documentation. This bilingual capability is crucial for seamless communication in a globalizing work environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s degree is a fundamental requirement, providing a strong academic foundation.
• General Working Experience: You must have some years of general working experience, indicating your professional readiness and ability to contribute effectively in a corporate environment.
• System Development Experience (3+ years preferred): At least 3 years of working experience in system development is preferred. This demonstrates practical skills in the full software development lifecycle, from requirements to deployment.
• Front-End Engineering Experience (Required): Front-end engineering experience is required. This is essential for developing and maintaining the user interfaces and client-side logic of web applications, ensuring engaging and functional user experiences.
• Basic Computer Skills: You possess basic computer skills, indicating general proficiency with software applications and operating systems.
• Basic Knowledge of Networks and Network Equipment: A basic knowledge of networks and network equipment is desired. This includes understanding fundamental networking concepts and how devices communicate, which is beneficial for troubleshooting and infrastructure support.
• Proficiency in Key Programming Languages (Desired): Proficiency in JavaScript, CSS, HTML, PHP, Python, and related programming languages is desired. This broad skill set ensures versatility across various front-end and scripting tasks.
• Basic Knowledge of Servers: A basic knowledge of servers (e.g., Linux, etc.) is desired. This understanding helps in deploying applications, managing environments, and collaborating with infrastructure teams.

About the Position: Employment Details and Benefits

This is a Permanent employee (Full Time) position, commencing with a probationary period of 2 months.

• Working Hours: 9:00 – 18:00 (9 AM to 6 PM JST)
• Days Off: Two days off per week (Wednesday & Sunday), promoting work-life balance.
• Salary: ¥208,960 – ¥300,000 per month (approximately $1,320 – $1,900 USD based on current exchange rates, subject to fluctuation), with compensation based on previous experience and ability.
• Training Period: A 2-month training period will be compensated at an hourly wage of 900 yen per hour.
• Bonuses: Bonuses are provided based on ability and performance, with payments made 2 times in the last fiscal year.
• Payroll Period: From the 1st of each month until the end of the month, payment will be made on the 15th of the following month. In case of a bank holiday, payment will be made on the previous business day.

Benefits: Supporting Your Well-being and Professional Life

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their employees’ well-being and professional life.

• Various Insurances: Includes Workers’ accident compensation, unemployment, health, and employee pension insurance, providing robust social security coverage.
• Meal Subsidies: Enjoy half-price subsidies for meals from the GM menu during working hours, enhancing daily convenience.
• Loaner Uniforms: Provided with loaner uniforms as needed for the role.
• Resort Hotel Membership: Access to a resort hotel membership fee, offering leisure and relaxation opportunities.
• Transportation Compensation: Transportation compensation is provided for those who commute by car.
• Overtime Pay: Overtime pay is available for work exceeding regular hours.

Hiring Process: Your Journey to Joining the Team

The hiring process is structured to ensure a thorough and transparent evaluation:

1. Resume Screening: Initial review of your application materials.
2. First Online Interview: Includes an aptitude test (30 minutes) and the assignment of tasks.
3. Second Interview: A 60-minute interview where assigned tasks are checked and discussed.
4. Final Online Interview: A 60-90 minute interview with a company supervisor, followed by a company culture test (2 days).
5. Hiring Decision: The final decision is made based on the comprehensive evaluation.

Work Authorization & Visa Sponsorship:

• Domestic Applicants: Restricted to domestic applicants, but overseas applicants are welcome.
• Visa Sponsorship: Future possibility / Renewal for visa sponsorship.