At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects and build innovative features for a cutting-edge banking platform.
- Company: Join Engine by Starling, a dynamic fintech company transforming banking.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to reshaping banking for good.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fintech world while collaborating with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in Java and a passion for clean coding and problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
At Engine by Starling, we are on a mission to find and work with leading banks all around the world who have the ambition to build rapid growth businesses on our technology. Engine is Starling's software-as-a-service (SaaS) business, the technology that was built to power Starling Bank, and two years ago we split out as a separate business. Starling Bank has seen exceptional growth and success, largely due to the fact that we have built our own modern technology from the ground up. This SaaS technology platform is now available to banks and financial institutions worldwide, enabling them to benefit from innovative digital features and efficient back-office processes that have helped achieve Starling's success.
Our technologists are at the very heart of Engine and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment focused on building things, creating new solutions, and disruptive technology that keeps us on the cutting edge of fintech. We operate a flat structure to empower you to make decisions regardless of your primary responsibilities; innovation and collaboration will be at the core of everything you do. Help is never far away in our open culture; you will find support in your team and from across the business.
The way to thrive and shine within Engine is to be a self-driven individual and take full ownership of everything around you: from building things, designing, and discovering to sharing knowledge with your colleagues and ensuring all processes are efficient and productive to deliver the best possible results for our customers. Our purpose is underpinned by five values: Listen, Keep It Simple, Do The Right Thing, Own It, and Aim For Greatness.
Hybrid Working
We have a hybrid approach to working here at Engine - our preference is that you're located within a commutable distance of our offices so that we're able to interact and collaborate in person. We don't mandate how much you visit the office and work from home; that's to be agreed upon between you and your manager.
About Engineering at Engine by Starling
We’re looking for Backend Software Engineers to work on the Engine Platform and make our existing features work for banks all over the world, as well as building new features from scratch that Starling hasn’t released in the UK market. Engine by Starling engineers are excited about helping us deliver new features, regardless of their primary tech stack.
Day in the Life of a Software Engineer
We are looking for engineers at all levels to join the team. We value people being engaged and caring about customers, the code they write, and the contribution they can make to banking around the world. People with a broad ability to apply themselves to a multitude of problems and challenges, who can work across teams, do great things here at Engine, continuing to change banking for good.
As a Senior Engineer you will:
- Have the opportunity to lead projects or functional areas/domains within the Engine team.
As an Engineer you will:
- Contribute to our award-winning platform and internal tooling.
- Build new features and products from scratch in a configurable way.
- Share your knowledge with those around you, contributing to our learning culture.
- Own your projects, working in small teams across the bank to collaboratively deliver.
- Aim for greatness in everything you do, staying curious and inquisitive.
- Be part of a scaling team and organisation as we change banking for good.
Requirements
We’re open-minded when it comes to hiring and we care more about aptitude and attitude than specific experience or qualifications. We are very open about how we deliver software. For the most part, we code in Java, but you need not be an expert when you join us! We believe in clean coding, simple solutions, automated testing, and continuous deployment. If you care enough to find elegant solutions to difficult technical problems, we’d love to hear from you.
The main part of our Backend Tech Stack includes:
- Java, which makes up the majority of our backend codebase.
- AWS & GCP - we're cloud-native.
- Microservice-based architecture.
- TeamCity for CI/CD (lots of teams are releasing code 15-20 times per day!).
- Terraform and Grafana.
Interviewing is a two-way process, and we want you to have the time and opportunity to get to know us, as much as we are getting to know you! Our interviews are conversational, and we want to get the best from you, so come with questions and be curious. In general, you can expect the following after a chat with one of our Talent Team:
- Initial interview with an Engineer - ~45 minutes.
- Take-home technical test to be discussed in the next interview.
- Technical interview with some Engineers - ~1.5 hours.
- Final interview with our CTO/deputy CTO - ~45 minutes.
Benefits
33 days holiday (including public holidays, which you can take when it works best for you). An extra day’s holiday for your birthday. Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off. 16 hours paid volunteering time a year. Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme. Life insurance at 4x your salary & group income protection. Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care. Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith, and Peloton. Generous family-friendly policies. Incentives refer a friend scheme. Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks. Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships, and Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing.
About Us
You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. So, if you're excited about working with us but aren’t sure if you're 100% there yet, get in touch anyway. We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems. Engine by Starling is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
Senior Java Software Engineer in London employer: Engine by Starling
At Engine by Starling, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Located in the vibrant city of London, our team enjoys a hybrid working model, generous benefits including 33 days of holiday, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission of reshaping banking for good.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Software Engineer in London
✨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 Engine by Starling 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 Engine by Starling.
✨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 Engine by Starling.
✨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 Engine by Starling 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 Senior Java Software Engineer in London
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 Engine by Starling.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Engine by Starling 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 Engine by Starling
✨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 Engine by Starling 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.
