At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build a revolutionary AI-powered marketplace backend for secondhand goods.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking fashion tech company tackling waste with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £140k, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced startup culture with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fashion industry while working on cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 3-6 years of backend engineering experience and proficiency in Node.js/TypeScript.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The fashion industry is broken. Billions of garments end up in landfill, not because they're unwanted, but because the supply chain for secondhand goods is offline and inefficient. We're building the AI‑powered infrastructure to fix this, making secondhand the first choice globally. Our platform has already saved millions of items from landfill, and we're backed by leading VCs with significant funding to tackle a market projected to reach hundreds of billions.
This isn't another standard e-commerce role. You'll join a small, senior product engineering squad, owning the entire marketplace journey from discovery to checkout. Every item is unique, inventory is unpredictable, and quality is graded by our proprietary AI. You'll design how the transaction layer works for a market that hasn't existed before, integrating AI directly into the product experience. This role is for a product‑obsessed builder who wants to define, not just execute, in a hyper‑growth environment. It's not for those seeking narrow, siloed ownership or a slow‑paced, spec‑driven environment.
The work:
- Design and build the core marketplace backend, from item discovery and search to checkout, payments, and post‑purchase. Your features will directly drive GMV.
- Integrate our proprietary AI classification engine directly into the product, ensuring seamless grading, pricing, and categorisation for unique items.
- Architect systems to scale from 500K+ items per month to millions, making pragmatic trade‑offs between speed and long‑term scalability.
- Shape technical direction and engineering standards for a rapidly growing team, challenging assumptions and proposing innovative solutions.
- Work embedded with product and design, translating complex real‑world logistics into reliable, scalable software.
What You Bring:
- 3‑6 years of professional backend engineering experience, shipping production systems that handle real traffic and money.
- Strong fundamentals in system design, data modelling, and API architecture.
- Proficiency in Node.js/TypeScript, or a comparable stack with willingness to transition.
- A background in consumer tech (marketplace, fintech, or consumer product), building for end‑users at scale.
- A product engineering mindset: you connect technical decisions to commercial outcomes and thrive in ambiguous, fast‑paced startup environments.
- You've built AI capabilities or are eager to integrate AI deeply into product.
This is an on‑site role in London, 5 days a week.
Senior Backend Engineer (up to £140k) employer: Dex
Join a pioneering team dedicated to revolutionising the fashion industry by creating an AI-powered marketplace that prioritises sustainability. As a Senior Backend Engineer, you'll thrive in a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration, with ample opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly expanding sector. Located in London, our company offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while working alongside passionate individuals committed to reshaping the future of secondhand goods.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer (up to £140k)
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Dex are looking for when hiring for a Senior Backend Engineer (up to £140k).
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Dex for the Senior Backend Engineer (up to £140k), a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Dex as a Senior Backend Engineer (up to £140k), rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out Dex’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Senior Backend Engineer (up to £140k).
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer (up to £140k)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Dex, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Dex's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Dex. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dex
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Dex uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Dex. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
