Senior Engineer

Senior Engineer

Freelance Home office (partial)
Formula.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build Kotlin backend services for a new payments platform.
  • Company: Leading UK financial services organisation with a focus on digital transformation.
  • Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and potential for contract extension.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for technical leadership and career growth.
  • Why this job: Play a key role in transforming digital infrastructure and make impactful contributions.
  • Qualifications: Strong Kotlin experience, ideally in payments, and familiarity with Agile practices.

A leading UK financial services organisation is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to play a central role in a large-scale platform transformation programme. The business is rebuilding a critical part of its digital infrastructure to support a broad range of transaction methods and channels across both in-person and digital environments.

This is hands-on backend engineering at scale, with real ownership and direct exposure to architecture decisions from day one.

Key Responsibilities as a Senior Software Engineer:
  • Design and build Kotlin backend services for a new payments platform
  • Own the architecture and design of key components, taking high-level requirements and turning them into structured, deliverable backlogs
  • Write clean, well-tested, production-ready code that the team can rely on
  • Work closely with Product and Engineering to break down complex problems and ship impactful features
  • Bring fresh thinking to existing approaches and propose improvements where you see them
  • Support team leadership across delivery, code quality, and technical decision-making
  • Contribute to technical hiring, helping to assess and attract strong engineering talent
Skills & Key Requirements:
  • Strong commercial Kotlin experience for backend development, ideally within payments or financial services
  • Domain expertise in payment gateway systems or payments infrastructure
  • Comfortable with React.js for full stack contribution where required
  • Proven ability to take requirements through to architecture, design, and delivery
  • Senior Software Engineer level ownership of technical decisions and delivery
  • Clear grasp of software engineering fundamentals: design patterns, SOLID principles, test-first design
  • Familiarity with Agile practices including peer code review and pair programming
  • Hands-on exposure to AWS or comparable cloud platforms
  • Background in both monolithic and microservices-based systems
  • Experience in a product-led environment where engineering and business goals are closely aligned
Contract Details:
  • Day rate: up to £650 per day
  • IR35: Outside IR35
  • Contract length: 6 months initial term, extension likely
  • Location: London, hybrid (3 days onsite)
  • Start: ASAP

If you are a Senior Software Engineer with strong Kotlin backend experience and interested in working in the financial services space, apply now or reach out directly to find out more.

Due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants will receive feedback.

Senior Engineer employer: Formula.

Join a leading UK financial services organisation that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact the transformation of digital infrastructure. With a focus on employee growth, you will have opportunities to enhance your skills in a supportive environment while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in vibrant London. This role not only provides competitive compensation but also allows you to take ownership of significant architectural decisions, making it an ideal place for passionate engineers looking to make a meaningful difference.

Formula.

Contact Details:

Formula. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in financial services or have experience with Kotlin. A personal referral can make all the difference in getting noticed.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects showcasing your Kotlin expertise, make sure to highlight that during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your software engineering fundamentals. Be ready to discuss design patterns, SOLID principles, and your approach to writing clean, production-ready code. We want to see how you think!

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, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineer

Kotlin
Backend Development
Payments Infrastructure
React.js
Software Architecture
Design Patterns
SOLID Principles

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your Kotlin experience and any relevant projects in the financial services sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for the position.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, mention specific examples where you've tackled complex problems or improved existing systems. We’re looking for engineers who can think outside the box and bring fresh ideas to the table.

Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for the role!

How to prepare for a job interview at Formula.

Know Your Kotlin Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Kotlin skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've used Kotlin in backend development, especially in payment systems. They’ll want to see your hands-on experience, so be prepared to dive deep into technical discussions.

Understand the Business Context

Familiarise yourself with the financial services industry and the specific challenges it faces, particularly around payments. This will help you connect your technical skills to their business needs, showing that you can contribute to their platform transformation programme right from the start.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be ready to tackle some complex problems during the interview. Think about how you would break down requirements into manageable tasks and how you’ve done this in previous roles. They’ll appreciate a candidate who can think critically and propose innovative solutions.

Demonstrate Team Collaboration

Since this role involves working closely with Product and Engineering teams, highlight your experience with Agile practices, peer code reviews, and pair programming. Share examples of how you’ve contributed to team success and supported leadership in technical decision-making.