At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop Python features for backend services throughout the lending lifecycle.
- Company: Abound is revolutionising affordable loans using Open Banking technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy equity ownership, hybrid work, 25 days holiday, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Opportunity for a paid sabbatical after 4 years and volunteering days.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team improving financial access with innovative tech.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in software engineering, strong Python and SQL skills required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About Abound
We’re redefining consumer lending in the UK, and beyond. Using advanced AI and Open Banking data, we make fair, affordable personal finance available to more people. While traditional lenders rely almost entirely on credit scores, we look at the full financial picture - how much you spend, and what you can afford to repay to build a deeper, more accurate understanding of each customer's unique financial situation.
And we've shown it works at scale. We’ve issued over £1.3bn in loans directly to customers while delivering market-leading credit performance - for every 10 defaults the industry expects, we see only 3. We also reached profitability just 2.5 years after launch.
Backed by £2bn+ of funding from top-tier investors including Citi, GSR Ventures, and Deutsche Bank, we’re recognised as one of Europe’s fastest-growing fintechs (Sifted, CNBC). Now, we’re expanding into new markets and product lines - and we’re looking for ambitious people who want to learn fast, take ownership, and grow with us.
About the role
We’re looking for a Software Engineer to help us build high-quality, reliable backend systems that accelerate our mission.
This role sits within our mortgage engineering team. You’ll work across the backend stack, owning features end to end: from shaping product and technical requirements through implementation, launch, and iteration.
This role is ideal for a hungry, ambitious engineer who wants to step up quickly; someone with strong engineering fundamentals, high ownership, and the drive to grow into a senior-level contributor.
What you’ll be doing:
Build and ship high-quality backend features using Python, Django, RESTful APIs, GraphQL, Pydantic, Postgres, and Google Cloud
Own backend work from concept through delivery, including technical design, implementation, testing, deployment, and iteration
Collaborate with internal teams and external engineering partners to deliver features with cross-team dependencies
Work closely with frontend to shape excellent user-facing and internal experiences
Bring strong technical judgment to the table, improving not just how systems work, but how they scale and evolve
Contribute to backend architecture, API design, data modelling, performance, reliability, security, and developer experience
Raise the standard of your own work and the work of those around you
Who you are:
Strong hands-on experience building backend systems with Python
Practical experience working with Django
Experience designing or consuming RESTful APIs
Experience designing and exposing GraphQL APIs for frontend applications
Experience working with Postgres and relational data models
Familiarity with Pydantic, typed Python, or modern Python engineering practices
Some experience with cloud infrastructure, ideally Google Cloud, or a strong desire to learn
A good eye for clean architecture, API design, performance, reliability, and maintainability
A product-minded approach: you care about the “why” behind what you’re building
A strong sense of ownership and accountability
The ability to uncover unknowns, navigate ambiguity, and turn complex problems into clear, shippable solutions
Pride in your craft, clean code, thoughtful reviews, and helping others grow
Ideally, you'll also have:
Experience with PDF generation or document rendering workflows
Experience in early-stage or fast-moving product teams
Familiarity with observability, monitoring, alerting, and infrastructure operations
A data-driven approach to decision-making
Openness to change, innovation, and the ways AI will reshape how products are built and used
What makes someone successful in this role
You don’t just “take tickets.” You think like a product builder. You’re hungry to learn, quick to take ownership, and motivated by the chance to grow fast. You notice when a system could be simpler, when an API could be clearer, or when a technical decision needs more care.
You’re comfortable stepping into ambiguity, asking good questions, making decisions, and pushing work over the finish line.
How we work at Abound
To be successful here, our culture needs to energise you. Here is how we operate:
High Bar & Real Ownership: We are a high-performing team, and we hire people who raise the bar and take pride in great work. We own outcomes, not tasks.
We Work Hard: We care about impact, not face time. At key moments, we go the extra mile to deliver for customers and the business.
MVP & Iteration Culture: We ship fast, learn from real customers, and continuously improve our products and processes.
One Team Collaboration: We collaborate deeply across engineering, product, operations, and the wider business.
Thrive in Change: Priorities evolve as we learn what works. We value people who use good judgment, adapt quickly, and stay focused on outcomes.
What we offer
Everyone owns a piece of the company - equity
Hybrid with 3 days a week in the office
25 days’ holiday a year, plus 8 bank holidays
2 paid volunteering days per year
One month paid sabbatical after 4 years
Employee loan
Free gym membership through WellHub
Team wellness budget to be active together - set up a yoga class, a tennis lesson or go bouldering
Python Software Engineer in London employer: Abound
Abound is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly in the dynamic field of Generative AI. With a hybrid work model based in London, employees benefit from competitive perks such as equity options and generous paid holidays, while also having the opportunity to work on impactful projects that shape the future of consumer lending. The company prioritises employee growth and encourages curiosity and problem-solving, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a real-world impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Python Software Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as FastAPI and SQLAlchemy. Having hands-on experience or projects that showcase your skills with these tools can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your understanding of Open Banking and its implications for lending. Being able to discuss how this technology impacts customer experience and business processes will show your enthusiasm for the role and the company’s mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in maintaining codebases for business-critical systems. Be ready to share specific examples of challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the company’s culture by researching their values and recent projects. Showing that you align with their mission and are excited about contributing to their goals can make a strong impression during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Python Software Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Python and relevant technologies mentioned in the job description, such as FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, and AWS. Use specific examples to demonstrate your proficiency and problem-solving skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for Abound's mission and how your background aligns with their goals. Mention your experience in software engineering and how you can contribute to improving business processes and customer experience.
Showcase Relevant Projects:If you have worked on projects that involve lending products or business-critical systems, be sure to include these in your application. Describe your role, the technologies used, and the impact of your work.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:Since the role involves working closely with Product and Design teams, emphasise your effective communication and collaboration skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked with cross-functional teams in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Abound
✨Showcase Your Python Skills
Make sure to prepare examples of your previous work with Python, especially focusing on well-structured code and type hints. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you maintained business-critical systems.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with Abound's mission and how they use Open Banking to assess creditworthiness. Being able to discuss how your technical skills can contribute to their goals will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to discuss past challenges you've faced in software engineering and how you approached solving them. Highlight your analytical skills and any relevant experience with SQL for data management.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with Product and Design teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous roles. Effective communication is key!