At a Glance
- Tasks: Build a tech platform for the automotive industry using cutting-edge technologies.
- Company: Join Autotrader, the UK's leading automotive marketplace with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, share options, 28 days holiday, and comprehensive health cover.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working, diverse culture, and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while working with innovative tech.
- Qualifications: Strong Java skills, experience with server-side frameworks, and a passion for mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 61000 £ per year.
You've probably heard of Autotrader, but do you know what we're all about? We're the UK's leading automotive marketplace, a heritage brand, and a tech darling of the stock market. We bring together vehicle buyers and sellers to give them real choices. Cars may be what we're best known for but we're also the place for pretty much everything else on wheels, from e-bikes to caravans.
In the automotive world, change is a constant, that's why we take our job of untangling the complex car-buying journey very seriously. At our core, we're all about people. We go our own way while embracing diversity and celebrating our differences. We dedicate ourselves to the idea that we work better together. Autotrader is a beautiful, surprising and vibrant place to work. We might not be for everyone, but we could be perfect for you.
About the role: We're looking for Senior Software Engineers to help us build a technology platform for more than just the needs of Autotrader.co.uk. Utilising our public-facing web services and additional external data sources means that we'll be able to power businesses across the automotive industry. Spring Boot, Apache Solr, Cloud SQL and Apache Kafka power our platform and process millions of events per day. As a team, our software developers are responsible for ensuring service availability and responsiveness continue to improve. They work on systems that handle thousands of requests per second, with sub‐100 millisecond response times, servicing requests from over 50 client applications.
Our tech community values collaboration and teamwork. Interactions like pairing, code reviews and regular stand-ups mean our software developers stay connected. You might assume that our name, "Autotrader," means you need to be a car enthusiast to work here. But that's not the case. We're looking for people who are passionate about their work and thrive in a collaborative environment.
What We're Looking For:
- In depth understanding of Java and the JVM
- Knowledge of server‐side frameworks such as Spring
- Web application design and RESTful API know‐how
- A structured approach to programming and testing, such as TDD
- Passionate about mentoring and coaching and sharing technical expertise
Although not a requirement, helpful experience includes:
- Google CloudSQL/Relational databases
- Document/Map based storage (e.g. MongoDB)
- Working with Kafka messaging/streaming
Benefits and more:
We're offering a salary of £50,000 - £70,000, plus an additional 10% of your salary awarded to you in shares each year. These awarded shares will become yours in yearly instalments over the next three years, and you can choose to either sell them or keep them as shares. And you'll receive 28 days holiday, plus bank holidays and comprehensive private medical cover.
That's not all. You'll be enrolled in our pension scheme, where our standard contributions are 7% and employee contributions are 5%. We also have comprehensive private medical cover, enhanced family leave provisions, a car salary sacrifice scheme, share‐save options, and much more.
We always want to give you the support you need and help prioritise your wellbeing, that's why we provide access to 24/7 online GP and dentist, as well as specialist support for assisted fertility, gender dysphoria, menopause, period care plans and lots more.
On top of all that, our hybrid model, Connected Working, combines the best of both worlds – office and home working. You'll have two fixed weekly office days for team collaboration and one more of your choice to suit your work‐life balance. Additionally, we have our remote‐first periods at set times during summer and winter. During these periods, you can work remotely anywhere in the UK and from certain locations abroad.
We are committed to making Auto Trader a diverse and inclusive environment for everyone.
Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Full or Part Time in Manchester employer: Autotrader
Autotrader is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester where innovation thrives. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide opportunities for mentorship and collaboration across teams, alongside a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that includes share options and generous holiday allowances. Our hybrid work model ensures flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to meaningful projects that shape the future of consumer products.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Full or Part Time in Manchester
✨Join Local Coding Meetups
Get involved in local coding meetups or tech events. These gatherings are perfect for networking with other software engineers, showcasing your skills, and even getting a chance to meet potential employers face-to-face. Plus, it's a great way to learn about part-time opportunities that might not be widely advertised.
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Dive into some open-source projects on platforms like GitHub. This not only enhances your coding skills but also builds a solid portfolio that shows potential employers your real-world experience. Open-source contributions can lead directly to job offers since many companies scout talent in the community.
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're in or near university, make the most of those career services! They often have connections with local tech companies looking for part-time developers and can provide valuable resources for finding job leads or prep for interviews.
✨Showcase Your Work
Build a personal website or portfolio that highlights your projects, skills, and any relevant experience. It’s a fantastic way to stand out and we encourage you to link to it in your applications. Don't forget: you can easily apply for part-time roles through our website at Autotrader—just remember to include that link!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Full or Part Time in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Coding Skills:Make sure to prominently feature your coding skills in your CV. List the programming languages and technologies you're comfortable with, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. Don’t forget to link to your GitHub profile or any other coding platform where you showcase your work – it's a great way for us at Autotrader to see your skills in action!
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills:As a part-time software developer, problem-solving is key. In your application, try to include examples of how you've tackled tough coding challenges or bugs. If you can quantify your achievements, even better! This not only shows your technical prowess but also your ability to think critically and creatively.
Tailor Your CV for Part-Time Work:For a part-time role, it’s essential to show that you’re flexible and can manage your time well. Within your CV, highlight any previous experience balancing multiple commitments or projects. It’ll reassure us that you can juggle responsibilities without compromising on quality.
Craft Your Cover Letter with Passion:Your cover letter is your chance to show us your enthusiasm for software development. Share why you're excited about joining Autotrader specifically, and what you hope to gain from this part-time role. Your motivation and eagerness to learn can really set you apart from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Autotrader
✨Show Off Your Code
Make sure to prepare a few coding samples or projects to share during your interview for the part-time software engineering position at Autotrader. Potential employers love to see tangible evidence of your skills, so having a well-organised GitHub profile or portfolio can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Problem Solving
Expect a few technical questions or coding challenges that assess your problem-solving abilities. Companies like Autotrader often want to see how you think through a problem, so practise common algorithms and data structures to showcase your thought process and technical know-how.
✨Know Your Tools
Familiarise yourself with the specific programming languages and tools relevant to the role. If the job listing mentions languages like Python or JavaScript, make sure you can discuss your experience with them confidently. Knowing frameworks and libraries they use can give you an edge.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time position, be ready to discuss how you can manage your time effectively and fit the role around your other commitments. Being able to demonstrate your adaptability and proactivity shows that you can balance work, study, or other responsibilities without dropping the ball for Autotrader.
