Senior Backend Engineer — Content & Metadata Platform

Senior Backend Engineer — Content & Metadata Platform

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Financial Times

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop innovative backend solutions for our Content & Metadata platform.
  • Company: Join the Financial Times, a leading global business news organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, annual bonuses, and 25 days of paid leave.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong commitment to diversity and career growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team rethinking content publishing with cutting-edge technologies.
  • Qualifications: Proficiency in programming and a passion for learning new tech.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of one million, three-quarters of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.

We have offices in more than 35 cities, including London, New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, Manila, Sofia, San Francisco and Tokyo. Join us and find an inclusive and fast-paced environment with unique opportunities to support every step of your career.

FT Core is seeking talented and motivated Senior Backend Engineer to join our Content & Metadata team. This team is responsible for the Content & Metadata platform which enables the publishing, delivery, and enrichment of the digital content produced for the FT products. The team is starting its journey to rethink the way how content is published and consumed, and as a member of this team, you will be laying the foundation for the next generation of APIs and capabilities used across the FT’s products and services.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about learning new technologies, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to solve complex problems. While we value experience in our technology stack (Go, Kubernetes, AWS, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Neo4j, Kafka, and Elasticsearch), we are open to candidates with diverse backgrounds who are quick learners and have a strong foundation in software development.

Responsibilities:

  • Design, develop, and maintain efficient, reusable, and reliable code for our microservices architecture.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and ship new features.
  • Work with various databases to design and optimise data models and queries.
  • Implement, optimise, and maintain cloud infrastructure.
  • Identify bottlenecks and bugs, and devise solutions to these problems.
  • Maintain code quality, organisation, and automatization.

Requirements:

  • Proficiency in at least one programming language (experience in Go is a plus).
  • Basic understanding of microservices architecture and containerization technologies.
  • Familiarity with cloud infrastructure and services.
  • Experience with databases (relational, document, or graph).
  • Understanding of fundamental design principles behind a scalable application.
  • Ability to write clean, readable, and maintainable code.
  • Strong problem-solving, debugging, and troubleshooting skills.
  • Effective communication and collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with Go, Kubernetes, and AWS.
  • Familiarity with MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Neo4j, Kafka, and Elasticsearch.
  • Knowledge of Agile/Scrum development process.
  • Understanding of CI/CD best practices.

What’s in it for you?

  • Annual bonus scheme
  • 25 days paid leave
  • 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
  • Life Insurance
  • Enhanced Parental Leave policy
  • Food Allowance
  • Multisport Card
  • Comprehensive in-house training, and external training programs (subject to approval)

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Further information

At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all. Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com.

Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.

Senior Backend Engineer — Content & Metadata Platform employer: Financial Times

The Financial Times is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters innovation and professional growth. With a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, employees are encouraged to bring their unique perspectives to the table while benefiting from comprehensive training programmes and a supportive culture. Located in vibrant cities around the world, including London, the FT provides unique opportunities for career advancement and a competitive benefits package, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Financial Times

Contact Details:

Financial Times Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer — Content & Metadata Platform

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at meetups. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its tech stack, especially Go, Kubernetes, and AWS. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role but also passionate about what they do.

Tip Number 3

Practice coding challenges! Brush up on your problem-solving skills and get comfortable with algorithms. Websites like LeetCode or HackerRank can be super helpful.

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, it shows you’re serious about joining the team!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer — Content & Metadata Platform

Go
Kubernetes
AWS
PostgreSQL
MongoDB
Neo4j
Kafka

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Backend Engineer role. Highlight your proficiency in programming languages, especially Go, and any experience with microservices architecture.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t just repeat your CV; share specific examples of your problem-solving skills and collaboration in past projects.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to mention any relevant technologies you've worked with, like AWS, Kubernetes, or databases. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess and eagerness to learn new tools.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our official careers site. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Times

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re familiar with the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Go, Kubernetes, and AWS. Brush up on your knowledge of microservices architecture and databases like MongoDB and PostgreSQL. Being able to discuss these technologies confidently will show that you're serious about the role.

Showcase Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled complex problems in your previous roles. The Financial Times values strong problem-solving abilities, so think of scenarios where you identified bottlenecks or bugs and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your analytical thinking and troubleshooting skills.

Collaboration is Key

Since the role involves working with cross-functional teams, be ready to talk about your experience collaborating with others. Share examples of how you’ve worked effectively in a team setting, especially in Agile environments. Highlight your communication skills and how you contribute to a positive team dynamic.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team’s current projects, the challenges they face, or how they envision the future of their Content & Metadata platform. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.