At a Glance
- Tasks: Build scalable backend services and design APIs using modern tech.
- Company: Join Acorn Insurance, a fast-growing tech company in Liverpool.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 35 days holiday, mental health support, and competitive salary.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with clear paths for growth and technical leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative squad with ownership and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience with C#, .NET, Docker, and a passion for mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Senior Backend Developer who enjoys solving complex problems and building systems that scale. You’ll be part of a tight‑knit, cross‑functional squad that owns its products from idea to production. You’ll have the freedom to lead and make technical decisions, the space to experiment, and the support to keep developing your skills. We’ll encourage you to grow into a T‑shaped developer, with opportunities to get involved in architecture, DevOps and other areas of development. We work together in our Liverpool HQ three days a week because we value collaboration, fast feedback and a strong team culture.
What You’ll Do:
- Build and maintain scalable backend services using .NET 8.0 and Azure
- Write clean, testable and performant code that’s built to last
- Design and implement APIs and database solutions
- Deploy and run services using Docker and Azure Cloud
- Work closely with product owners and designers to bring features to life
- Mentor other developers and help raise the standard across the team
- Share ideas and contribute to how we build and improve our systems
Our Tech Stack:
- Backend: C#, .NET 8.0, Mediator, MassTransit
- Database: SQL Server, Entity Framework, Redis, Mongo
- Infrastructure: Docker, Azure, K8s, RabbitMQ
- Monitoring: Grafana, Loki
- Tooling: Git, CI/CD pipelines, Unit and Integration Testing, Agile methodologies
It’s a bonus if you’re familiar with Clean Architecture or the Mediator pattern, but curiosity and a willingness to learn are just as valuable.
Engineering Practices:
- We care deeply about quality and maintainability.
- We use CI/CD pipelines for fast and reliable deployments.
- Automated testing and peer reviews are part of our daily rhythm.
- Our systems are monitored with Grafana and Loki, giving full visibility across environments.
- We encourage experimentation, retrospectives and continuous improvement in everything we build.
What We’re Looking For:
- Solid experience with C#, .NET and Dockerised microservices
- Strong understanding of SQL Server and Entity Framework
- Understanding of event driven architecture and modern microservice patterns
- Experience with testing, CI/CD and cloud deployments
- A team player who enjoys mentoring and collaborating
- A pragmatic problem solver who writes clean, maintainable code
- A genuine desire to learn and help others grow
Why Join Us:
- Modern tech stack and a strong culture of engineering excellence
- A collaborative squad where your ideas make a real impact
- Clear path into technical leadership or architecture
- Freedom to innovate and take ownership
- Top‑tier tools and a workspace built for creativity and collaboration
Team and Culture:
You’ll be joining a collaborative squad of engineers, designers and product thinkers who enjoy building great software together. We believe in ownership, curiosity and craftsmanship. Everyone has a voice, and we trust each other to make good decisions. We support one another, share knowledge and celebrate success as a team. We’re passionate about technology, but even more passionate about building a team that trusts, respects and learns from each other.
Grow with Acorn:
At Acorn Insurance, we’re proud of our Liverpool roots — and even prouder of how far we’ve come. As part of the Acorn Group, we bring over 40 years of specialist insurance expertise to the table. From humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a national leader, now employing 1,700+ people across the UK and reached a milestone £750 million in total value of insurance policies written in 2024. We’re growing fast, with new opportunities emerging every week. That growth is largely due to the values we share:
- We run through walls for our customers and each other
- We challenge the status quo
- We succeed when we help those around us succeed
- We decide quickly when the smart thing to do is use our judgement
Benefits:
- A maximum of 35 days’ holiday (depending on role and tenure) including bank holidays, with additional buy/sell options
- 24/7 mental health support
Senior Backend Developer employer: Acorn Group
Acorn Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Liverpool City Centre. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide hybrid working options, competitive salaries, and the chance to make a real impact through data-driven insights. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values innovation and engagement at all levels.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Developer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Acorn Group or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Acorn Group.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Acorn Group.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Acorn Group that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Acorn Group.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Acorn Group and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Group
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Acorn Group uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
