At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Product Engineer, developing core systems and enhancing user experience.
- Company: Arbor is transforming education with innovative management tools for over 7,000 schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, wellness support, flexible working, and a dog-friendly office!
- Other info: We promote diversity and equality, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while working in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in software development, expertise in PHP, and a passion for problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Remote
Salary: £70,000 - £75,000
About us
At Arbor, we’re on a mission to transform the way schools work for the better. We believe in a future of work in schools where being challenged doesn’t mean being burnt out and overworked. Where data guides progress without overwhelming staff. And where everyone working in a school is reminded why they got into education every day.
Our MIS and school management tools are already making a difference in over 12,000 schools and trusts. Giving time and power back to staff, turning data into clear, actionable insights, and supporting happier working days.
At the heart of our brand is a recognition that the challenges schools face today aren’t just about efficiency, outputs and productivity - but about creating happier working lives for the people who drive education everyday: the staff. We want to make schools more joyful places to work, as well as learn.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and driven Senior Product Engineer to join our Engineering team and help lead and drive the successful completion of high-impact features, specifically contributing to the advancement of Arbor products. The remit and focus of the role is to contribute towards the development of the company’s core systems and processes, as well as implement strategies to enhance and optimise product quality and lead time across the entire team. It’s a broad and exciting role, so we’re looking for someone up for a challenge - if you’re a collaborative and enthusiastic Engineer, this is the role for you.
Core responsibilities
- Work closely with the Engineering Manager, Tech Lead, QA Engineer, and Product Manager to help solutionise feature requests
- Lead the creation of detailed documentation for new feature developments, incorporating diagrams for comprehensive project understanding.
- Drive the development and implementation of advanced tests around new features, ensuring the highest standards of test coverage and reliability.
- Demonstrate expertise in producing well-architected, efficient, and scalable code using industry-leading design patterns and methodologies.
- Take a leadership role in code reviews and pair programming sessions, guiding and mentoring colleagues towards excellence.
- Lead and actively participate in tech-talks, workshops, and team-based learning initiatives, ensuring knowledge is disseminated effectively across the team.
About you
- Extensive and demonstrated experience with Object-Oriented languages and software development.
- Considerable experience in software development, specifically with PHP
- Advanced understanding and application of best practices and software engineering principles, including SOLID, DRY, etc.
- Expertise in relational database technologies.
- Proactive problem-solving approach with a strategic mindset.
- Proven experience in designing and writing APIs and services within a service-oriented environment.
- Leadership qualities demonstrated through collaboration and mentorship.
- A team player, willing to muck in and help others when needed, driven personality who asks questions and actively participates in discussions
- Good written and spoken English so you can present your ideas - our HQ is based in London
Bonus skills
- Past experience with enterprise solutions and large-scale systems
- Familiarity with Scrum methodology or other agile development processes
- Experience with cloud computing
- Experience with Docker and containerisation
- Familiarity with software best practices such as Refactoring, Clean Code, Domain-Driven Design, Test-Driven Development, etc.
What we offer
The chance to work alongside a team of hard-working, passionate people in a role where you’ll see the impact of your work everyday. We also offer:
- A dedicated wellbeing team who champion initiatives such as mindfulness, lunch n learns, manager training, mental health first aid training and much more!
- 32 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays). This is made up of 25 days annual leave plus 7 extra company wide days given over Easter, Summer & Christmas
- Life Assurance paid out at 3x annual salary
- Comprehensive wellness benefit provided by AIG Smart Health, which provides a 24/7 virtual GP service, Mental health support, Counselling, and personalised Health Checks
- Private Dental Insurance with Bupa
- Salary sacrifice Pension provided by Scottish Widows
- Enhanced maternity and adoption leave (20 weeks full pay) and paternity (6 weeks full pay) pay
- 5 free return to work maternity coaching sessions, helping you adapt to this new exciting time of life!
- Access to services such as Calm and Bippit (financial wellbeing coaching)
- All of our roles champion flexible working and we are happy to discuss what this means to you
- Social committees that plan team, office and company wide events to bring people together and celebrate success
- Dedicated professional development training budget (CPD courses, upskilling resources, professional memberships etc)
- Volunteer with a charity of your choice for a day each year
- Dog friendly offices!
Interview process
- Phone screen
- 1st stage
- 2nd stage
We are committed to a fair and comfortable recruitment process, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during your application or interview process, please reach out to a member of the team at
Our commitment is also backed by our partnership with Neurodiversity Consultancy, Lexxic who provide us with training, support and advice.
Arbor Education is an equal opportunities organisation
Our goal is for Arbor to be a workplace which represents, celebrates and supports people from all backgrounds, and which gives them the tools they need to thrive - whatever their ambitions may be so we support and promote diversity and equality, and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
Refer a friend
Know someone else who would be good for this role? You can refer a friend, family member or colleague, if they are offered a role with Arbor, we will say thank you with a voucher valued up to £200! Simply email:
Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
#J-18808-LjbffrProduct Engineer in London employer: Arbor Education
At Arbor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a healthy work-life balance and fosters a supportive, collaborative culture. Our remote working environment allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring our team members are not only challenged but also fulfilled in their roles. Join us in our mission to create happier working lives for educators, where your contributions directly impact the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Arbor's mission and values. Understanding their focus on creating happier working lives in schools will help you align your answers during interviews and demonstrate your passion for their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your PHP skills and be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've used it effectively. Highlighting your experience with Object-Oriented programming and how you've solved complex problems will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the tech community around Arbor. Follow them on social media, participate in discussions, or attend any webinars they host. This will not only give you insights into their culture but also show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with agile methodologies, especially Scrum. Being able to articulate how you've contributed to team-based learning and collaboration will resonate well with their team-oriented approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Object-Oriented languages and PHP, as well as any relevant software development projects. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for transforming education through technology. Mention specific experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Include a section in your application that outlines your technical skills, particularly those mentioned in the job description, such as experience with relational databases, cloud computing, and agile methodologies.
Prepare for the Interview:Research Arbor's mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their goals. Prepare examples of past projects where you demonstrated your coding skills and teamwork.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arbor Education
✨Understand the Company Mission
Before your interview, take some time to research Arbor's mission and values. Understand how they aim to transform schools and improve the working lives of staff. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with PHP and Object-Oriented programming. Bring examples of past projects where you've successfully implemented complex features or solved challenging problems. Highlight your understanding of software engineering principles like SOLID and DRY.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves collaboration with other engineers, think of examples where you've worked effectively in a team. Be ready to discuss your approach to pair programming, code reviews, and how you contribute to team learning through tech talks or knowledge sharing.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the technologies used, and the challenges they face. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values, especially regarding work-life balance and employee wellbeing.
