Senior Backend Engineer, Core
Senior Backend Engineer, Core

Senior Backend Engineer, Core

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build scalable APIs and backend services for a revolutionary shopping platform.
  • Company: Tilt is transforming e-commerce to make it more human and connected.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, autonomy, and the chance to shape impactful systems.
  • Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and redefine online shopping for millions.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in production systems, expertise in Node.js, and AWS experience required.
  • Other info: Work from our Canary Wharf office 3 days a week.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

About Tilt

We’re building the next century of shopping—making it feel human, communal, and alive again. E-commerce has spent decades optimising for clicks, stripping away the trust, joy, and connection that once made shopping meaningful. We’ve recently raised an $18M Series A from the world’s best investors to build the next era of commerce. Now, we’re hiring elite builders to make it happen.

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to help architect and scale the systems that power Tilt—from livestreams and checkout to auctions, personalisation, and payments. You will join our Core team: a small, high-leverage group responsible for foundational infrastructure, performance, and reliability. This role is for builders who thrive in fast-moving environments, think like owners, and aren’t afraid to dive deep into gnarly systems problems. You’ll collaborate closely with product engineers, infra specialists, data scientists, and leadership.

In this role, you will:

  • Design and build scalable APIs and backend services that support millions of real-time user interactions
  • Own core infrastructure across streaming, payments, auctions, and real-time bidding
  • Improve performance, reliability, and observability across the stack
  • Collaborate across teams to ship systems that are fast, resilient, and developer-friendly
  • Help define and evolve backend best practices as we scale the team

Location: This is a hybrid role, and we ask that you work from our Canary Wharf office 3 days per week.

Who You Are

You’re an ambitious and entrepreneurial engineer who wants to help build something iconic. You’re motivated by impact, not ego. You move quickly, sweat the details, and love working with others who do the same. We’re looking for:

  • 5+ years of experience building production-grade systems
  • Experience working in early-stage startups or high-growth environments
  • Expertise in the Node.js ecosystem
  • Strong understanding of backend architecture and scalable system design
  • Deep experience with AWS and infrastructure-as-code (ideally with TypeScript CDK)
  • Fluency with relational databases and data modelling
  • A clear communicator—written, visual, and verbal
  • Self-directed and comfortable in a high-autonomy, low-ego culture

Bonus points for:

  • Experience with NestJS or similar backend frameworks
  • Familiarity with GraphQL APIs
  • Knowledge of document databases like MongoDB or DynamoDB
  • Exposure to frontend frameworks (Vue or React)

Our Stack

  • Frontend: Vue, TypeScript
  • Backend: Node.js, NestJS, GraphQL
  • Infra: AWS, TypeScript CDK, Docker
  • Mobile: Native iOS (Swift), Native Android (Kotlin) with shared KMP layer

Why Tilt

  • You’ll be joining a mission-driven team backed by world-class investors
  • You’ll own meaningful systems from day one, with real scope and autonomy
  • You’ll work alongside curious, kind, and wickedly smart teammates
  • You’ll help redefine how millions of people shop online

Curious what it’s like to work at Tilt? Start here.

Senior Backend Engineer, Core employer: Tilt

Tilt is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the e-commerce landscape. With a mission-driven culture, employees enjoy the autonomy to own meaningful projects from day one, while collaborating with a team of curious and talented individuals. Located in the vibrant Canary Wharf, the hybrid work model fosters flexibility and work-life balance, making it an ideal environment for ambitious engineers eager to grow and innovate.
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Contact Detail:

Tilt Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer, Core

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Tilt's mission and values. Understanding their focus on creating a human-centric shopping experience will help you align your conversations and demonstrate your passion for their vision during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your experience in building scalable systems by preparing specific examples of past projects. Be ready to discuss the challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the impact your solutions had on performance and reliability.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees of Tilt through platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during your application process.

✨Tip Number 4

Brush up on your knowledge of the technologies mentioned in the job description, particularly Node.js, AWS, and TypeScript CDK. Being able to speak confidently about these tools will demonstrate your technical expertise and readiness for the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer, Core

Node.js Expertise
Backend Architecture Design
Scalable System Design
AWS Proficiency
Infrastructure-as-Code (TypeScript CDK)
API Development
Real-time Systems Experience
Relational Database Management
Data Modelling Skills
Strong Communication Skills
Collaboration in Cross-Functional Teams
Self-Directed Work Ethic
Experience with NestJS or Similar Frameworks
Familiarity with GraphQL APIs
Knowledge of Document Databases (MongoDB, DynamoDB)
Exposure to Frontend Frameworks (Vue, React)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in building production-grade systems and working with the Node.js ecosystem. Emphasise your expertise in AWS and infrastructure-as-code, as well as any experience in early-stage startups.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for building impactful systems and your motivation to work in a fast-moving environment. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to design scalable APIs and backend services.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Include a section in your application that outlines your technical skills, particularly those mentioned in the job description such as Node.js, NestJS, GraphQL, and relational databases. This will help the hiring team quickly see your qualifications.

Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to backend architecture and scalable system design. Be ready to discuss your previous projects and how you approached challenges, as this role requires deep problem-solving skills.

How to prepare for a job interview at Tilt

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your experience with Node.js and AWS in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've built scalable systems, and be ready to dive into the technical challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills

Since the role involves tackling complex systems problems, think of examples from your past work where you identified issues and implemented effective solutions. This will show your ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment.

✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively

As a Senior Backend Engineer, you'll need to collaborate with various teams. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. Use diagrams or visual aids if necessary to explain your ideas during the interview.

✨Emphasise Your Team Collaboration Experience

Tilt values teamwork, so share experiences where you've successfully collaborated with product engineers, data scientists, or other stakeholders. Discuss how you contributed to a positive team dynamic and achieved shared goals.

Senior Backend Engineer, Core
Tilt
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  • Senior Backend Engineer, Core

    London
    Full-Time
    43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-18

  • T

    Tilt

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