At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of scalable backend services for a cutting-edge platform.
- Company: Join an innovative UK tech startup focused on optimising clinical trials with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Shape a product from the ground up and influence engineering culture.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in backend systems, strong API design, and cloud platform experience.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with visible impact and potential for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
I am partnering with an early-stage UK tech startup focused on using data and AI to optimise and accelerate the design of clinical trials.
Location: London, UK (on-site/hybrid)
About the Role
I am seeking a highly experienced Senior Back-End Engineer to join a fast-growing, deep-tech venture at an early stage. As a key member of the founding engineering team, you will shape and build the core server-side architecture that underpins their next-generation platform. You’ll work closely with product and engineering leadership to design, implement, and scale reliable backend services, APIs, and systems — helping to turn cutting-edge ideas into real-world products.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable, secure, and high-performance backend services and APIs.
- Collaborate across the engineering team — including frontend, product, and QA — to architect solutions that address business needs and technical challenges.
- Drive the full development lifecycle: requirements, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and support.
- Improve and optimise existing systems for performance, reliability, and maintainability.
- Conduct code reviews, provide technical leadership, and mentor junior engineers to uphold best practices.
- Identify and address security, performance, and scaling bottlenecks.
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years of hands-on experience building backend systems in a production environment.
- Strong experience with backend languages and frameworks (e.g., Java, Spring, Python, Go, Node.js — adaptable to your stack).
- Proven track record designing and implementing RESTful APIs and microservices.
- Solid understanding of databases (SQL and NoSQL) and effective data modeling.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and CI/CD pipelines.
- Experience with performance optimisation, security best practices, and scalable architectures.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in an agile, cross-functional team.
Nice-to-Have
- Experience with distributed systems and asynchronous architectures.
- Knowledge of observability tools, testing frameworks, and containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Previous involvement in early-stage or founding engineering teams.
Why Join?
- Play a pivotal role in shaping a product from the ground up.
- Influence technical direction and engineering culture.
- Work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your impact is visible.
- Competitive compensation and growth opportunities.
Following your application, Jay Robins, a specialist AI Recruitment consultant, will discuss the opportunity with you in detail. He will be more than happy to answer any questions relating to the industry and the potential for your career growth. The conversation can also progress further to discussing other opportunities, which are also available right now or will be imminently becoming available. This position has been highly popular, and it is likely that it will close prematurely. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please click ‘apply’ or contact Jay Robins for any further information.
Founding Back-End Engineer employer: Barrington James
Contact Detail:
Barrington James Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Back-End Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who might know about early-stage startups. A personal recommendation can make all the difference when you're trying to land that Founding Back-End Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects that highlight your backend expertise, make sure to share it. This is your chance to demonstrate your experience with languages and frameworks that match the job description.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and system design knowledge. Practice common backend problems and be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail. We want you to shine during those interviews!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll have the chance to connect directly with Jay Robins, who can guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Back-End Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your backend development experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our founding team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to show us your personality and passion for the role. Explain why you're excited about joining an early-stage tech startup and how your background aligns with our mission. Keep it engaging and concise!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, don't forget to mention specific technologies and frameworks you've worked with. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know about your experience with backend languages, APIs, and cloud platforms.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barrington James
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the backend languages and frameworks mentioned in the job description, like Java, Python, or Node.js. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you’ve used these technologies to solve real-world problems.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, especially around performance optimisation and scaling. Use examples that highlight your ability to think critically and collaborate with cross-functional teams to find effective solutions.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Qualities
As a founding team member, they’ll want to see your potential for technical leadership. Share experiences where you’ve mentored junior engineers or led projects, and explain how you uphold best practices in coding and architecture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s vision, the tech stack they’re using, and their approach to building scalable systems. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.