Staff Engineer (API & Identity) in London
Staff Engineer (API & Identity)

Staff Engineer (API & Identity) in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead architectural strategy and drive technical excellence in API and Identity domains.
  • Company: Join Arbor, a mission-driven tech company transforming education for happier school environments.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in education while collaborating with passionate teams on innovative solutions.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in API integrations and a strong technical leadership background.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to mentor and shape the future of educational technology.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

At Arbor, we are 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 7,000 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 every day: 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 visionary Staff Engineer to join our Engineering team and help us drive architectural alignment, technical consistency, and engineering excellence across multiple teams. The remit and focus of the role is to drive architecture and technical strategy for our Ecosystem domain, encompassing API Platform, Identity (AuthN, AuthZ, Accounts) and Workflow Automation. You will have technical stewardship for this domain, working collaboratively with multiple teams, Technical Leads, Product Directors, and Engineering Leadership to translate strategic business objectives into scalable, and maintainable solutions.

It’s a broad and exciting role, so we’re looking for someone up for a challenge - if you’re a collaborative and a highly technical candidate, this is the role for you.

Core responsibilities

  • Own and deliver a clear target architecture, strategy and roadmap that supports the Ecosystem's product strategy.
  • Partner with Technical Leads to provide hands-on technical guidance supporting feature delivery, tech debt paydown, and architecture improvements.
  • Collaborate with Product Directors to understand product vision and translate this into deliverables, aligning commercial and engineering goals.
  • Mentor and coach Technical Leads/Senior Engineers on architectural and engineering excellence, continually raising our bar and supporting career growth.
  • Act as a role model for technical leadership — work with pace, be pragmatic, and stay laser focused on outcomes not output.
  • Head up architectural reviews for your domain and ensure all designs meet Arbor's quality, reliability, security and compliance standards.
  • Collaborate with Staff Engineers, Principal Engineers, and Architects to shape Arbor's broader technology strategy, working outside your domain as needed.
  • Partner with Engineering Management to help grow teams, identify dependencies/risks, and report progress against strategic goals.

Requirements

About you

Extensive experience overseeing complex API or platform integrations, ideally across distributed tech stacks in a SaaS environment. A track record of delivering value for at least one core vertical within this domain - API governance, API-as-a-product, Identity or.

Staff Engineer (API & Identity) in London employer: Arbor Education

At Arbor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the educational landscape. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and personal growth, ensuring that our employees are not only challenged but also supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. With a focus on meaningful contributions and a commitment to employee development, we offer unique opportunities for career advancement while making a positive impact in over 7,000 schools across the UK.
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Contact Detail:

Arbor Education Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Staff Engineer (API & Identity) in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to API and identity management. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Think about how you’d tackle architectural challenges or mentor a team member. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us.

We think you need these skills to ace Staff Engineer (API & Identity) in London

API Platform Development
Identity Management (AuthN, AuthZ)
Workflow Automation
Architectural Strategy
Technical Stewardship
Collaboration
Mentoring and Coaching
Technical Leadership
Architectural Reviews
Quality Assurance
Reliability Standards
Security Compliance
SaaS Environment Experience
Distributed Tech Stacks

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Staff Engineer role. Highlight your experience with API platforms and identity management, as well as any relevant projects that showcase your technical prowess. We want to see how you fit into our mission!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work where you’ve driven architectural alignment or provided hands-on technical guidance. This will help us understand your approach and how you can contribute to our team.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not only technically skilled but also a great collaborator. Share your passion for making schools better places to work and learn, and why you want to join Arbor.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll get to explore more about our culture and values while you’re at it!

How to prepare for a job interview at Arbor Education

✨Know Your APIs Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of APIs, especially in the context of SaaS environments. Be ready to discuss your experience with API governance and how you've delivered value in previous roles. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the Staff Engineer position.

✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

Since this role involves working closely with Technical Leads and Product Directors, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve mentored others or contributed to team success, as this aligns perfectly with Arbor's focus on teamwork.

✨Demonstrate Architectural Acumen

Be ready to discuss your approach to architecture and technical strategy. Think about specific projects where you’ve driven architectural alignment and improvements. This will help you illustrate your ability to deliver a clear target architecture that supports product strategy.

✨Emphasise Outcomes Over Outputs

Arbor values a focus on outcomes rather than just outputs. Prepare to talk about how you've prioritised results in your previous roles. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to stay pragmatic and focused on delivering real value, which is crucial for the Staff Engineer role.

Staff Engineer (API & Identity) in London
Arbor Education
Location: London

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