At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build reliable backend services in Python, shaping impactful features for our platform.
- Company: Join Esenda, a fast-growing startup revolutionising payments in the education sector.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, fully remote work, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and high-quality standards.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and directly influence customer outcomes with your coding skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in backend systems, strong Python and Flask experience, and API design skills.
Fully remote, UK-based
£400 – £500 per day (Outside IR35)
3–6 Month Contract
About Esenda
Esenda powers over £1.5bn of inbound and outbound payments annually, in the education space - from tuition and catering fees to supplier payments and payroll. We're a revenue-generating startup with strong product-market fit, and we're growing fast. Join us now and you'll work on impactful features that directly shape our platform and make a real difference to our customers.
What you'll do
- Design, build, and ship reliable backend services and APIs in Python (Flask) that power core product functionality.
- Own features end-to-end: data modelling (Postgres), API design, testing, production rollout and ongoing improvements.
- Help uphold strong engineering standards through thoughtful code reviews, testing discipline, clean architecture, and pragmatic decision-making.
- Improve service reliability and operability: monitoring, alerting, logging, runbooks, and reducing on-call toil over time.
- Work closely with the technical team to scope product ideas, focused on delivering customer-facing outcomes (not just "tickets").
- Contribute to delivery practices: CI/CD improvements, incremental shipping, and maintaining a high-quality codebase.
What we're looking for
- 5+ years experience building and operating production backend systems.
- Strong experience with Python, and hands-on use of Flask (or similar frameworks).
- Solid understanding of Postgres (schemas, migrations, query performance, transactions).
- Experience designing and maintaining APIs (REST; event-driven experience is a plus).
- Comfortable shipping in cloud environments—ideally AWS—and working with modern CI/CD pipelines.
- A strong quality mindset: you care about maintainability, security, reliability, and clear documentation.
Bonus points for
- Payments/fintech knowledge (reconciliation, idempotency, auditability, ledger concepts).
- Experience with distributed systems patterns (queues, background jobs, retries, rate limiting).
- Security experience (threat modelling, OWASP-style concerns, secure API design).
- Familiarity with Terraform.
Our stack
- Backend: Python, Flask
- Data: Postgres
- Cloud: AWS
- Edge: Cloudflare
- Infrastructure as Code: Terraform
- Delivery: CI/CD, automated testing, observability tooling
How we work
- Pragmatic, high-ownership teams with a bias to shipping
- Clear communication, strong collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Code reviews and sensible standards that keep quality high without slowing delivery
Python Software Engineer 6 Month Contract (Remote, UK) in Leeds employer: esenda
Esenda is an exceptional employer for Python Software Engineers, offering a fully remote work environment that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. With a strong focus on impactful projects in the fintech space, employees benefit from a culture of high ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development in a rapidly expanding startup. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enjoying competitive daily rates and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Python Software Engineer 6 Month Contract (Remote, UK) in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those in fintech or payments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a GitHub repository showcasing your Python projects, especially any APIs or backend services you've built. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with Flask, Postgres, and cloud environments like AWS. Practising common coding challenges can also help you feel more confident.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us at Esenda. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills align with our mission and values.
We think you need these skills to ace Python Software Engineer 6 Month Contract (Remote, UK) in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your experience with Python, Flask, and Postgres, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that showcase your skills in backend development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about working with us at Esenda and how your background aligns with our mission in the education space. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can think critically and come up with innovative solutions, especially in backend systems.
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 esenda
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python and Flask, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on your knowledge of Postgres, especially around schemas and query performance, so you can confidently discuss how you’ve used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to talk about specific challenges you've faced while designing APIs or improving service reliability. Use examples that highlight your thought process and how you approached problem-solving, especially in cloud environments like AWS.
✨Demonstrate a Quality Mindset
Emphasise your commitment to maintainability, security, and clear documentation. Discuss any experiences you have with code reviews and how you ensure high standards without slowing down delivery—this will resonate well with their focus on quality.
✨Understand the Business Context
Since Esenda operates in the fintech space, having a grasp of payments concepts like reconciliation and auditability can set you apart. Show that you understand how your technical contributions can impact customer outcomes and the overall business.
