At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain software that transforms the fostering process for agencies and carers.
- Company: Join Fosterli, a purpose-driven startup making a real social impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, mentorship from experienced leaders, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Gain hands-on experience in a supportive, fast-paced environment with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Directly influence product development and help shape the future of fostering.
- Qualifications: Strong technical foundations and enthusiasm for software development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
About Fosterli
Fosterli is a venture-backed Tech for Good startup transforming the way people become foster carers. We are building software that makes the fostering assessment journey more intuitive, efficient and human, helping agencies, social workers and prospective foster carers navigate a process that has traditionally been complex, time-consuming and heavily reliant on paperwork.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to join an early-stage startup where your work will directly influence both the product and the future of the business. You'll work closely with our CTO, founders and existing engineering team, gaining hands-on experience across the full software development lifecycle. From designing and building new features to improving engineering processes and supporting customer onboarding, you'll play a key role in shaping Fosterli's next stage of growth.
What You'll Be Doing
- Building, testing and maintaining features across the Fosterli platform
- Developing front-end and back-end functionality using modern web technologies
- Designing and consuming APIs to support platform integrations and services
- Working with databases, authentication systems and cloud infrastructure
- Collaborating within agile sprint cycles, contributing to planning, estimation and retrospectives
- Participating in code reviews and helping maintain high standards of code quality
- Writing automated tests and supporting platform reliability and performance
- Supporting deployment and release activities across development and production environments
- Working directly with users to understand challenges and translate feedback into practical product improvements
- Contributing to technical documentation, engineering processes and platform scalability as the business grows
- Supporting customer onboarding and helping resolve technical issues as agencies begin using the platform
Our Technology Stack
We currently work with: Next.js, React, TypeScript, Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS, GitHub, REST APIs. Experience with some of these technologies is beneficial, but not essential. We're more interested in your ability to learn, solve problems and adapt quickly.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with strong technical foundations and a genuine enthusiasm for building software. You may be a recent graduate, self-taught developer, bootcamp graduate or early-career engineer looking to accelerate your development within a startup environment. You'll likely have experience with some of the following:
- JavaScript and/or TypeScript
- React or modern front-end frameworks
- Backend development using Node.js or similar technologies
- SQL databases and data modelling
- API development and integration
- Git version control
- Testing and debugging applications
- Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud
You'll also demonstrate:
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Curiosity and a willingness to learn new technologies
- The ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- An interest in startups and fast-moving environments
- A passion for building products that create meaningful social impact
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous, but are not required:
- Experience developing SaaS products
- Understanding of secure software development practices
- Knowledge of GDPR and handling sensitive personal data
- Awareness of accessibility standards (WCAG)
- Exposure to CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
- An interest in cybersecurity and maintaining standards such as Cyber Essentials Plus
What You'll Learn
This role provides the opportunity to gain experience across:
- Full-stack application development
- Cloud infrastructure and deployment processes
- SaaS platform architecture
- Product-led development and user-centred design
- Agile software delivery
- Security, compliance and data protection best practices
- Customer onboarding and support
- Scaling a platform from pilot stage to commercial growth
You'll work closely with our CTO, receiving mentorship, technical coaching and exposure to engineering decisions that would typically take years to access within a larger organisation.
Why Join Fosterli?
- Work directly with experienced founders and senior technical leadership
- Receive ongoing mentorship and support from our CTO
- Gain exposure across product, engineering and customer delivery
- Help shape an early-stage product from the ground up
- Build technology that delivers genuine social impact
- Be part of a supportive, ambitious and purpose-driven team
- Develop your skills rapidly in a real-world startup environment
Our Culture
At Fosterli, we put people first. Our company was founded by a former Children's Social Worker, and that ethos shapes how we work. We believe technology should empower people, not create additional barriers. We're committed to building an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of care, fostering or the wider social care sector, although this is not a requirement for the role.
Working Arrangements
We operate a hybrid working model from our central Bristol office, therefore you will need to be living locally for this role. During onboarding, we'd expect more regular office attendance to help you build relationships, develop your understanding of the platform and work closely with the team. As confidence and familiarity grow, we anticipate a balanced mix of office and remote working.
Salary range - up to £35,000 P/A depending on experience, part-time options available.
Interested? If you're looking for a role where you'll learn quickly, take ownership, work alongside experienced founders and engineers, and help build a product that genuinely improves lives, we'd love to hear from you.
Junior Software Engineer employer: Fosterli
Fosterli is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry. As a venture-backed startup based in Bristol, we offer a supportive and inclusive work culture where your contributions directly shape our innovative platform. With opportunities for rapid skill development, mentorship from experienced leaders, and a commitment to social good, you'll thrive in an environment that values both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, whether they're personal, academic, or freelance. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your coding abilities and problem-solving skills directly to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills. Remember, confidence is key, so the more you practise, the better you'll feel!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications that come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills align with what we do at Fosterli.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for software development shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in building products that make a difference, especially in the social impact space.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with our tech stack and the role. Mention any projects or technologies you've worked with that relate to what we do at Fosterli.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on communicating your ideas effectively. This will help us understand your thought process better!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fosterli
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Fosterli is all about modern web technologies like Next.js, React, and Node.js. Brush up on these tools before your interview. Even if you haven't used them extensively, showing that you're familiar with the tech stack will impress the interviewers and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
As a Junior Software Engineer, you'll need to tackle challenges head-on. Prepare to discuss past experiences where you've solved problems or learned new technologies quickly. Use specific examples to illustrate your analytical thinking and adaptability, which are key traits Fosterli values.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Fosterli is focused on making a social impact through technology. Familiarise yourself with their mission and think about how your skills can contribute to this goal. During the interview, express your passion for building products that create meaningful change, as this aligns with their ethos.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the development process, or how they measure success in their projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if Fosterli is the right fit for you.
