At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend development for high-profile digital projects using Node.js and cloud technologies.
- Company: AND Digital, a forward-thinking tech company focused on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equal opportunities and fostering a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Be the technical heartbeat of innovative projects and shape the future of digital capabilities.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in Node.js, microservices, and managing distributed teams.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid: Client Site, AND Digital office, Remote. Proximity to Reading / Thames Valley is key.
Core Tech: Node.js, API Integration, Microservices, Microsoft Azure Cloud.
At AND, we accelerate the development of digital capabilities. In practice, that means helping ambitious leaders and organisations build the teams, products, processes and even operational structures they need to close the digital skills gap within their organisation today, so that they thrive tomorrow. Clients rely on our experience, agility and craft skills across tech and business strategy, software development, AI and product management to address some of the toughest challenges facing their businesses.
The Opportunity: We are looking for a Backend Lead to take the technical helm of a high-profile digital project. As a Lead, you won't just be overseeing delivery; you’ll be the technical heartbeat of the backend services that power complex website and mobile app environments using Node. This role is perfect for a hands-on technical expert who enjoys scaling complex microservices in the cloud while taking accountability for managing a distributed backend engineering team to deliver exceptional outcomes for the client.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Excellence & Execution
- Hands-on Engineering: Lead by example by remaining hands-on, committing high-quality code primarily in Node to power cloud-deployed digital websites (React/Node) and mobile applications (React Native/Node).
- Architectural Stewardship: Work closely with Technical Architects to ensure the long-term health of our backend ecosystem, orchestrating integrations with platforms like Commerce Tools, Bloomreach, and Amplience alongside a separate Salesforce backend team. You will also oversee support for these backend systems.
- Engineering Culture: Set the "gold standard" for backend engineering routines. Drive a culture of technical pride, ensuring robust API design, secure cloud deployment practices, and insightful code reviews.
- Team Leadership & Delivery Management
- Delivery Accountability: Operates in "Project Mode," taking full accountability for managing your team to deliver on-time backend outcomes, while ensuring adherence to budgets and high quality.
- Distributed Team Management: Act as the bridge between onshore stakeholders and a distributed team of Onshore and Nearshore Backend Devs: You will actively manage this team's day-to-day delivery to maintain velocity and ensure consistent backend standards across geographical boundaries.
- Technical Mentorship: Support the growth of developers on your project, fostering a high-achieving, collaborative environment through technical coaching and peer reviews.
- Stakeholder Management
- Collaborative Influence: Navigate a multi-faceted stakeholder landscape. You will be equally comfortable discussing API design with frontend and mobile engineers as you are discussing business value and roadmap priorities with Senior Executives (C-suite/CxO level) to help them achieve their business ambitions.
What You’ll Bring
- Backend Mastery: Extensive professional experience with Node and modern backend microservices.
- Cloud Expertise: Solid experience building and deploying scalable backend services in cloud environments, with practical, hands-on experience in Microsoft Azure being highly advantageous.
- Team Management & Delivery: Proven experience managing and leading distributed Onshore and Nearshore backend development teams. You know how to maintain velocity and quality to successfully deliver project outcomes when the team isn't in the same room.
- Consultative Mindset: The ability to build trust quickly, evaluate options, and translate complex business requirements into actionable backend technical designs.
Equal Opportunities Statement
At AND Digital we embrace diversity and are committed to equal opportunities. We are actively recruiting for a diverse and inclusive workforce so want to ensure we do everything we can to support your application. We want you to feel safe and empowered to let us know if you require any adjustments to be made to your application or interview process so please speak to our recruitment team.
Tech Practice Principal - Backend Lead in Wokingham employer: AND Digital
AND Digital in Reading is an exceptional employer that prioritises a flexible work environment and fosters a culture of curiosity and inclusion. Employees benefit from continuous development opportunities, allowing them to grow their skills while mentoring junior analysts and collaborating on impactful client projects. This commitment to employee growth and a supportive atmosphere makes AND Digital a rewarding place to advance your career in data analysis.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tech Practice Principal - Backend Lead in Wokingham
✨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 AND Digital 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 AND Digital.
✨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 AND Digital.
✨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 AND Digital 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 Tech Practice Principal - Backend Lead in Wokingham
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 AND Digital.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at AND Digital 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 AND Digital
✨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 AND Digital 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.
