At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable backend systems while leading technical decisions.
- Company: High-growth event-tech company revolutionising live events with innovative technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced startup environment with significant career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team shaping the future of event technology with real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in Node.js, TypeScript, and PostgreSQL; leadership skills preferred.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 98000 £ per year.
We're partnered with a high-growth event-tech company building the technology that powers payments, ordering, and operations across festivals, stadiums, food halls, nightclubs, and large live events. Having processed over £150m through the platform last year, achieved 94% customer retention, secured preferred supplier status with major global catering groups, and recently ranked in the Startups 100, the business is entering its next phase of growth and investing heavily in engineering.
They're now looking for a Lead/Senior Backend Engineer to join the team and help shape the future of a platform that sits at the heart of thousands of customer transactions every day. This is a genuinely hands‑on role. You'll be expected to lead through technical excellence rather than management alone, contributing significant code while helping drive architecture, engineering standards, and technical decision making across the backend platform.
Responsibilities- Designing and building scalable backend systems
- Domain modelling and solving complex business problems
- Owning technical decisions and architectural direction
- Working closely with product, operations, and commercial teams
- Improving engineering standards through code reviews, testing, and mentorship
- Operating in fast‑moving startup environments where accountability matters
- Node.js
- TypeScript
- PostgreSQL
- AWS
- Key technical leadership hire reporting into the Founder/CTO
- Opportunity to help shape the engineering culture as the UK team grows
- Platform already processing significant transaction volume
- Real ownership and autonomy
- Fast‑growing business with strong commercial traction
- Mix of greenfield development, architecture, and platform evolution
If you’re a Lead Backend Engineer who still enjoys being hands‑on, or a Senior Backend Engineer ready to step into a leadership role, I’d be happy to share more details.
Lead Backend Engineer employer: Burns Sheehan
Join a dynamic event-tech scale-up in London, where you'll be at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of a platform that processes over £150m annually. With a strong focus on technical excellence and a collaborative work culture, this role offers significant opportunities for personal and professional growth, alongside the chance to make impactful decisions in a fast-paced environment. Enjoy the benefits of working in a vibrant location near Paddington, with a team that values accountability and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Backend Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Burns Sheehan or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Burns Sheehan.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Burns Sheehan.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Burns Sheehan that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Burns Sheehan.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Burns Sheehan and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Burns Sheehan
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Burns Sheehan uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
