Foundation Lead Engineer

Foundation Lead Engineer

Freelance Home office (partial)
Formula.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and development of a cutting-edge API platform using Kafka.
  • Company: Globally scaled tech business with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Up to £700 per day, hybrid work, and outside IR35 contract.
  • Other info: 3 months rolling contract with excellent opportunities for growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on a critical engineering pillar in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Deep Kafka experience and skills in TypeScript, Node.js, and AWS required.

A globally scaled technology business is looking for a Lead Engineer to take ownership of its next-generation API platform, with Kafka at the heart of the architecture.

Operating at significant scale, this is a hands-on engagement where you'll have real influence over the direction of a critical engineering pillar - designing and building the event-driven infrastructure that the platform depends on.

Key responsibilities as a Lead Engineer:

  • Architecting and evolving a high-throughput, Kafka-driven event streaming platform
  • Designing cloud-native distributed systems built for scale and resilience
  • Leading the development of event-driven microservices and API integrations
  • Owning security, observability, performance, and long-term maintainability
  • Championing TDD, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, and automated testing
  • Embedding AI-powered capabilities into engineering workflows

Skills and requirements:

  • Kafka - deep, hands-on experience is essential (topic design, consumer groups, schema registry, Kafka Streams or similar)
  • TypeScript, Node.js
  • AWS (EKS, Lambda, Aurora RDS), Kubernetes
  • GraphQL, Terraform, DataDog
  • Salesforce or enterprise CRM experience is a strong advantage

Contract details:

  • IR35: Outside IR35
  • Rate: Up to £700 per day
  • Contract length: 3 months rolling
  • Location: London (Hybrid)
  • Start date: ASAP

Apply now or reach out directly to find out more. Due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants will receive a response.

Foundation Lead Engineer employer: Formula.

Join a globally scaled technology business that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise as a Lead Engineer will directly shape the future of its next-generation API platform. With a hybrid working model in London, you'll enjoy the flexibility to balance your professional and personal life while benefiting from opportunities for growth and development in a cutting-edge environment focused on event-driven architecture and AI integration.

Formula.

Contact Details:

Formula. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Foundation Lead Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work with Kafka or in similar roles. 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 portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving TypeScript, Node.js, or Kafka. 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 knowledge of cloud-native systems and event-driven architectures. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented TDD, CI/CD, and Infrastructure as Code in your past projects.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who are eager to take ownership of exciting projects like this one.

We think you need these skills to ace Foundation Lead Engineer

Kafka
TypeScript
Node.js
AWS (EKS, Lambda, Aurora RDS)
Kubernetes
GraphQL
Terraform

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Kafka and event-driven architectures. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your hands-on experience!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Lead Engineer position. Share specific examples of your work with TypeScript, Node.js, and cloud-native systems.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your expertise in AWS, Kubernetes, and any relevant tools like Terraform or DataDog. We love seeing candidates who are well-versed in the technologies that power our projects!

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 this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Formula.

Know Your Kafka Inside Out

Since this role revolves around Kafka, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of topic design, consumer groups, and Kafka Streams. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience and any challenges you've faced while working with Kafka in previous projects.

Showcase Your Cloud-Native Skills

Familiarise yourself with AWS services like EKS, Lambda, and Aurora RDS. Prepare examples of how you've designed cloud-native distributed systems that are resilient and scalable. This will demonstrate your ability to architect solutions that align with the company's needs.

Emphasise Your Leadership Experience

As a Lead Engineer, you'll be expected to guide teams and influence project direction. Share specific instances where you've led development efforts, championed TDD, CI/CD, or Infrastructure as Code, and how these practices improved project outcomes.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect in-depth technical questions related to TypeScript, Node.js, and API integrations. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to solve problems on the spot. Practising common coding challenges can help you feel more confident during the interview.