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- Tasks: Lead a team to build scalable backend systems and mentor engineers.
- Company: Join a B2B FinTech startup transforming financial advisory with AI-driven solutions.
- Benefits: Earn up to £100,000 plus equity and enjoy hybrid remote work options.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of finance with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in JVM Engineering and 1+ year leading teams required.
- Other info: No visa sponsorship available; apply with an impactful CV.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Lead Backend Engineer (Kotlin/JVM) in a B2B FinTech startup. Hands-on, leading a team of 4. Up to £100,000 + Equity + Benefits. Hybrid Remote: 1-3 Days in Central London office.
Join a B2B FinTech startup backed by a global bank, that is transforming the financial advisory space. They’ve created a unified, scalable, AI-driven platform that’s moving the industry away from using outdated data storage and communication systems like spreadsheets.
As Lead Backend Engineer, you’ll be the technical authority for all backend, architectural and infrastructure decisions. Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll lead and grow a high-performing engineering function, while staying deep in the code as an Engineer.
In this role you will:
- Lead architecture to build scalable, event-driven backend systems.
- Own and evolve the cloud and infrastructure stack (Terraform, Kubernetes, GCP).
- Line manage and mentor 4 Engineers, hiring more later in 2025.
- Lead daily standups, drive delivery, and maintain a high bar for code quality.
- Partner with the CEO on roadmap priorities and hiring strategy.
- Be comfortable switching hats: Player/coach, architect, hands-on builder.
This isn’t a greenfield 0→1, the foundations are in place. Your challenge is 1→10, 1→100. You’ll be building a system that unlocks the product roadmap, allowing the business to scale with confidence. Think: backend overhaul, introducing messaging layers (Kafka or PubSub), scaling infra, and embedding clean Engineering practices.
Tech Stack: Kotlin, Grails, Vert.x, gRPC, microservices, event-driven architecture, GCP, Kubernetes, Terraform, Kafka, BigQuery, PostgreSQL.
Ideal Candidates will have:
- 5+ years in Backend-focused JVM Engineering (Kotlin, Java, or Scala).
- 1+ year leading engineering teams of 4+ people.
- Experience designing event-driven systems, microservices and using gRPC.
- Experience in a startup environment: building fast, wearing many hats.
- Hands-on DevOps experience: Terraform, GCP, Kubernetes.
- Experience building data-heavy products (e.g. CRMs, forms, internal tools).
- AI / FinTech experience a bonus.
No Visa Sponsorship Available. 4-stage Interview Process.
Please apply with an updated CV displaying your impact & we’ll be in touch!
Lead Backend Engineer (JVM) - Startup - £100k + Equity employer: Few&Far
Contact Detail:
Few&Far Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Backend Engineer (JVM) - Startup - £100k + Equity
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Kotlin, GCP, and Kubernetes. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools during interviews will demonstrate your technical expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership experience by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed engineering teams in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring and driving team performance, as this role requires strong leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company’s mission and recent developments in the FinTech space. Understanding their product and how it transforms financial advisory services will allow you to align your answers with their goals during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with event-driven architecture and microservices. Be ready to share specific projects where you've implemented these concepts, as they are crucial for the role and will showcase your relevant experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Backend Engineer (JVM) - Startup - £100k + Equity
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Kotlin, JVM, and any relevant technologies mentioned in the job description. Emphasise your leadership experience and any specific projects that demonstrate your ability to build scalable systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for FinTech and your understanding of the startup environment. Mention how your skills align with the company's goals and how you can contribute to their mission of transforming financial advisory.
Showcase Relevant Projects: Include specific examples of past projects where you led a team or implemented event-driven architectures. Highlight your hands-on experience with tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, and GCP, as well as any data-heavy products you've built.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to backend engineering, microservices, and DevOps practices. Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving and how you maintain code quality while leading a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Few&Far
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Lead Backend Engineer, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of Kotlin and JVM technologies. Be prepared to discuss your previous projects, focusing on the architectural decisions you made and how they contributed to scalability and performance.
✨Emphasise Leadership Experience
Since this role involves leading a team, highlight your experience in managing and mentoring engineers. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a high-performing team environment and driven successful project deliveries.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly in a startup environment, and be ready to explain how you overcame them while maintaining code quality.
✨Align with Company Vision
Research the startup's mission and values, especially their focus on transforming the financial advisory space. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their goals, particularly in building scalable, event-driven systems.
