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- Tasks: Lead a team to build scalable backend systems and mentor engineers.
- Company: Join a B2B FinTech startup transforming financial advisory with AI-driven solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, equity options, and hybrid remote work flexibility.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of finance with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in JVM Engineering and experience leading teams required.
- Other info: No visa sponsorship available; 4-stage interview process.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Lead Backend Engineer (Kotlin/JVM) in a B2B FinTech startup
Hands-on, leading a team of 4. Up to £100,000 + Equity + Benefits. Hybrid Remote: 1-3 Days in Central London office.
Join a B2B FinTech startup backed by a global bank, that is transforming the financial advisory space. They’ve created a unified, scalable, AI-driven platform that’s moving the industry away from using outdated data storage and communication systems like spreadsheets.
As Lead Backend Engineer, you’ll be the technical authority for all backend, architectural and infrastructure decisions. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and grow a high-performing engineering function, while staying deep in the code as an Engineer.
In this role you will:
- Lead architecture to build scalable, event-driven backend systems
- Own and evolve the cloud and infrastructure stack (Terraform, Kubernetes, GCP)
- Line manage and mentor 4 Engineers, hiring more later in 2025
- Lead daily standups, drive delivery, and maintain a high bar for code quality
- Partner with the CEO on roadmap priorities and hiring strategy
- Be comfortable switching hats: Player/coach, architect, hands-on builder
This isn’t a greenfield 0→1, the foundations are in place. Your challenge is 1→10, 1→100. You’ll be building a system that unlocks the product roadmap, allowing the business to scale with confidence. Think: backend overhaul, introducing messaging layers (Kafka or PubSub), scaling infra, and embedding clean Engineering practices.
Tech Stack: Kotlin, Grails, Vert.x, gRPC, microservices, event-driven architecture, GCP, Kubernetes, Terraform, Kafka, BigQuery, PostgreSQL.
Ideal Candidates will have:
- 5+ years in Backend-focused JVM Engineering (Kotlin, Java, or Scala)
- 1+ year leading engineering teams of 4+ people
- Experience designing event-driven systems, microservices and using gRPC
- Experience in a startup environment: building fast, wearing many hats
- Hands-on DevOps experience: Terraform, GCP, Kubernetes
- Experience building data-heavy products (e.g. CRMs, forms, internal tools)
- AI / FinTech experience a bonus
No Visa Sponsorship Available.
4-stage Interview Process. Please apply with an updated CV displaying your impact & we’ll be in touch!
Lead Backend Engineer (JVM) - Startup - £100k + Equity employer: Few&Far
Contact Detail:
Few&Far Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Backend Engineer (JVM) - Startup - £100k + Equity
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Kotlin, GCP, and Kubernetes. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools during interviews will demonstrate your technical expertise and alignment with the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed engineering teams in the past. Highlight any mentoring experiences or team-building activities that illustrate your ability to lead and inspire others.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company’s current projects and challenges in the FinTech space. Being knowledgeable about their product roadmap and how you can contribute to scaling their backend systems will set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with event-driven architecture and microservices. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've implemented these concepts in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position and will demonstrate your fit for the startup environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Backend Engineer (JVM) - Startup - £100k + Equity
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with JVM languages, particularly Kotlin, and showcases your leadership skills. Emphasise any relevant projects where you've designed event-driven systems or worked in a startup environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your technical expertise but also your passion for the FinTech industry. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage complex backend systems.
Showcase Your Impact: In your application, focus on quantifiable achievements from your previous roles. For example, discuss how you improved system performance or led a successful project that resulted in significant business outcomes.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to your experience with the tech stack mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, and GCP, as well as your approach to building scalable systems.
How to prepare for a job interview at Few&Far
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Lead Backend Engineer, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of the tech stack mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Kotlin, microservices, and event-driven architecture in detail, as well as any hands-on projects you've led.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, highlight your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've managed teams, mentored engineers, and driven successful project deliveries. This will show that you're not just a technical expert but also a capable leader.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making process. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly in a startup environment, and how you overcame them. This will help illustrate your ability to adapt and thrive in fast-paced settings.
✨Align with Company Vision
Research the company’s mission and values, especially their focus on transforming the financial advisory space. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals, particularly in building scalable systems that support their product roadmap.
