At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Principal Software Engineer to enhance our tech platform and improve service responsiveness.
- Company: Autotrader is the UK's leading automotive marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers with real choices.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, share options, 28 days holiday, and comprehensive medical cover.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model with remote-first periods during summer and winter.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team that values collaboration and innovation in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in Java, server-side frameworks, and experience in system design and mentoring required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
About Autotrader
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 Principal 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 value collaboration and teamwork. Interactions such as pairing, code reviews and regular stand-ups mean our software developers stay connected. Our principal engineers play a visible and vital role, are comfortable talking about system design and architecture, and know how to get the best out of our teams and our technology platforms.
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
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A thorough understanding of Java and the JVM
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Knowledge of server-side frameworks such as Spring
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Web application design and RESTful API know-how
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A structured approach to programming and testing, such as TDD
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Proven experience mentoring, coaching and sharing technical expertise
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Architectural and system design knowledge
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Experience leading and delivering technical projects
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SQL/Relational databases
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Document/Map based storage (eg: MongoDB)
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Working with Kafka messaging/streaming
Benefits and more
We’re offering a salary of £60,000 – £80,000, 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 spend a minimum of 3 days a week in the office with your team, focused on collaboration and connection.
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.
Discover more about our hiring process and explore our Engineering Blog.
#LI-EC1
Principal Software Engineer, Backend - Full or Part Time in Manchester employer: Autotrader
At Autotrader, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and inclusive workplace that champions collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer competitive salaries, share options, and a hybrid working model that allows for flexibility and work-life balance. Our commitment to professional growth is evident through mentorship opportunities and a supportive tech community, making us an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in the fast-paced world of automotive technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer, Backend - Full or Part Time in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Spring Boot and Apache Kafka. Being able to discuss your experience with these tools during interviews will show that you're not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the Autotrader tech community on platforms like LinkedIn or GitHub. Sharing insights or contributing to discussions can help you get noticed and demonstrate your passion for collaboration and teamwork, which is highly valued at Autotrader.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your mentoring and coaching experiences. Autotrader values leaders who can uplift their teams, so be ready to share specific examples of how you've helped others grow in their technical skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Autotrader's company culture and values. Understanding their commitment to diversity and collaboration will allow you to tailor your conversations and show how you align with their mission, making you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer, Backend - Full or Part Time in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Java, Spring, and RESTful APIs. Include specific projects where you've demonstrated your architectural and system design knowledge.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for software engineering and teamwork. Mention how your skills align with Autotrader's needs and their collaborative culture.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on your mentoring and coaching experience. Provide examples of how you've led technical projects and improved service availability.
Highlight Continuous Learning:Mention any recent courses or certifications related to cloud technologies or software development methodologies. This shows your commitment to staying updated in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
How to prepare for a job interview at Autotrader
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Make sure to highlight your thorough understanding of Java and the JVM during the interview. Be prepared to discuss your experience with server-side frameworks like Spring, as well as your knowledge of web application design and RESTful APIs.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to face technical challenges or scenarios during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process and structured approach to programming and testing, such as Test-Driven Development (TDD), to showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Teamwork
Since Autotrader values collaboration, be ready to discuss your experiences in mentoring, coaching, and working within a team. Share examples of how you've contributed to team projects and how you handle code reviews and pair programming.
✨Prepare for System Design Discussions
As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your architectural and system design knowledge. Prepare to discuss past projects where you led technical initiatives, focusing on how you approached system architecture and design decisions.
