At a Glance
- Tasks: Build reliable backend systems and collaborate on exciting projects with a supportive team.
- Company: Join Acorn Insurance, a growing tech company with a vibrant culture in Liverpool.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days' holiday, mental health support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with clear career progression and a focus on well-being.
- Why this job: Level up your skills with experienced developers and work with modern technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in C# and .NET, plus a passion for learning and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Backend Developer who's passionate about building reliable, high‐performing systems and wants to keep learning and growing. You'll join a tight‐knit, cross‐functional squad that owns its products from idea to delivery and works closely together to build great things. You'll have the chance to work with experienced engineers who'll help you level up your skills in software design, cloud development and modern engineering practices. You'll also get the opportunity to broaden your experience as a T‐shaped developer, exploring areas like architecture, DevOps and product development. We work together in our Liverpool HQ three days a week because we believe collaboration, feedback and shared problem‐solving help us build better software and stronger teams.
Location: Liverpool City Centre HQ / Hybrid (3 days in office)
Salary: £45,000–£55,000 depending on experience
What You'll Do
- Build and maintain backend services using .NET 8.0 and Azure
- Write clean, testable and maintainable code
- Help design and implement APIs and data solutions
- Deploy and manage applications with Docker and Azure Cloud
- Work with product owners and designers to turn ideas into features
- Learn from experienced developers and contribute to code reviews
- Share ideas and help improve how we build and deliver software
Our Tech Stack
- Backend: C#, .NET 8.0, Docker
- Database: SQL Server, Entity Framework, MongoDb
- Infrastructure: Docker, Azure
- Monitoring: Grafana, Loki
- Tooling: Git, CI/CD pipelines, Unit and Integration Testing, Agile methodologies
If you're interested in learning about Clean Architecture or the Mediator pattern, we'll help you get there.
Engineering Practices
- CI/CD pipelines for fast, reliable deployments
- Automated testing and code reviews as standard
- Monitoring and observability with Grafana and Loki
- Continuous improvement through retrospectives and experimentation
What We're Looking For
- Experience building applications in C# and .NET
- A good understanding of APIs, SQL Server and Entity Framework
- Familiarity with cloud platforms like Azure and containerisation with Docker
- An interest in learning best practices around testing and CI/CD
- A collaborative mindset and eagerness to grow as a developer
- A problem‐solving attitude and pride in writing clean, maintainable code
Why Join Us
- Modern tech stack and strong engineering standards
- Supportive environment where you can learn from experienced developers
- Clear opportunities for career progression and skill development
- A collaborative squad where your ideas are valued
- Top‐tier tools and a workspace built for creativity and teamwork
Team and Culture
You'll be joining a squad that values curiosity, openness and craftsmanship. Everyone has a voice, and we help each other get better every day. We believe in ownership, curiosity and craftsmanship. We share knowledge, celebrate success and support each other every step of the way. It's a place where you can challenge yourself, grow your skills and build a career you're proud of.
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
- 35 days' holiday (including bank holidays) with additional buy/sell options
- 24/7 mental health support & free counselling available
- Grow with us: Through career fairs, leadership programs, and learning on the go!
- Flexible benefits, including early access to salary via our internal platform
- Hybrid working options to support work‐life balance and individual needs
- Recognition awards, social events & more
Our Commitment to our Colleagues
- Mindful Employer – championing mental health and wellbeing
- Disability Confident Level 1 & 2 – creating accessible, inclusive opportunities
- Menopause Friendly accredited – supporting every stage of life
- Armed Forces Covenant signatory – honouring those who serve
- Great Places to Work 2024/25 – fostering an engaging and positive workplace culture
- Best Place to Work for Development – proud to be investing in people's future
- Best Place to Work for Women – breaking down barriers to women's career progression
A Few Things to Know Before You Apply
We're really excited that you're considering joining Acorn! To help everything go smoothly, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Checks & Clearances: All roles at Acorn are subject to DBS and financial checks. Any offer we make will be conditional until these are completed to a satisfactory standard.
- Visa Requirements: Because our training is quite comprehensive, we can only consider applicants who have at least one year remaining on their Graduate or Post‐Study Work visa. At the moment, we're not able to offer visa sponsorship.
We're Here to Support You
We're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone can flourish. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process—or once you're part of the team—just let us know.
Backend Developer in Liverpool employer: Acorn Recruitment
At Acorn Insurance, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment where your ideas are valued and your growth is prioritised. With a modern tech stack, clear career progression opportunities, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, our Liverpool HQ offers a vibrant culture that encourages continuous learning and innovation. Join us to be part of a team that celebrates success and challenges the status quo while enjoying generous benefits like 35 days' holiday and flexible working options.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Developer in Liverpool
✨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 Recruitment 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 Recruitment.
✨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 Recruitment.
✨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 Recruitment 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 Backend Developer in Liverpool
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 Recruitment.
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 Recruitment 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 Recruitment
✨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 Recruitment 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.
