At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build impactful backend software in a microservices environment.
- Company: Fast-growing Gov/SecTech startup with real-world impact.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, autonomy, and the chance to shape engineering culture.
- Why this job: Make a difference in public safety and financial systems while working with cutting-edge tech.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of backend engineering experience and strong Python skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team of 25-30 people with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Overview
Senior Software Engineer – Python | Microservices | AWS
Hybrid (Central London - 2–3 days a week)
Profitable, Series A Gov/SecTech Scale up
High-trust work with real-world impact across public safety and financial systems.
We’re partnered with a well-funded, Series A stage Gov/SecTech startup operating in the blockchain analytics space. You'd build software to support use cases such as financial crime prevention, terrorism risk analysis and crypto market safety. Much of their work sits under NDA, but the impact is tangible and meaningful. They’re around 25–30 people today and growing quickly.
We’re hiring a Senior/Senior+ Software Engineer to work closely with the Head of Engineering in an autonomous, hands-on role. This is an elevated senior position for someone who enjoys being close to the code, taking ownership of complex, high scale, backend systems, and solving ambiguous technical problems.
You’ll be designing and building core backend software and infrastructure in a microservices environment, with real influence over architecture, standards and how the platform evolves as the team scales. The tech stack today includes Python (FastAPI), Temporal for workflow orchestration, Kubernetes and Docker on AWS, with SQL-based databases and system-to-system integrations across services.
This is a high-impact senior role in a business that already has real customers, real revenue and real-world consequences to its work. You’ll be trusted with autonomy, given big technical responsibility, and have the opportunity to shape both the platform and the engineering culture as the team grows.
Responsibilities
- Design and build core backend software and infrastructure in a microservices environment.
- Work closely with the Head of Engineering in an autonomous, hands-on role.
- Take ownership of complex, high-scale backend systems and solve ambiguous technical problems.
- Influence architecture, standards and how the platform evolves as the team grows.
- Contribute to shaping engineering culture and practices as the team expands.
Qualifications
- 5+ years commercial backend engineering experience.
- Strong Python background (other languages such as GO are fine if you're happy to move into Python).
- Experience building and running systems at scale (100k+ users or equivalent data volumes).
- Exposure to cloud-hosted microservices architectures.
- Experience contributing to architectural decisions in previous roles.
Bonus Points For
- Docker and Kubernetes experience in production environments.
- Terraform or infrastructure-as-code exposure.
- BigQuery / BigTable or large-scale data systems.
- Blockchain domain experience or interest (not required).
Senior+ Python Developer employer: Burns Sheehan
Contact Detail:
Burns Sheehan Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior+ Python Developer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those in Gov/SecTech or blockchain. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're aiming for that Senior Python Developer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving microservices and Python. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Python and system design skills. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past experiences with high-scale systems and architectural decisions.
✨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 proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior+ Python Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Python Developer role. Highlight your experience with Python, microservices, and any relevant cloud technologies. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for backend engineering and how you can contribute to our mission in the Gov/SecTech space. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any projects that demonstrate your skills in building scalable systems or using technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, make sure to mention them. We love seeing real-world applications of your expertise!
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, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Burns Sheehan
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python and microservices. Brush up on FastAPI, Docker, and Kubernetes, as these are crucial for the role. Being able to discuss your experience with these tools will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex technical problems you've solved in previous roles. This is a senior position, so they’ll want to see how you approach ambiguity and tackle challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Understand the Company’s Impact
Research the company’s mission and the real-world impact of their work in public safety and financial systems. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their goals, especially in areas like financial crime prevention or blockchain analytics. This shows genuine interest and alignment with their values.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
As they’re looking to shape their engineering culture, be prepared to discuss your thoughts on team dynamics and collaboration. Share experiences where you’ve contributed to a positive team environment or influenced engineering practices. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a tech whiz but also a great team player.