At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop scalable backend systems using Java/Kotlin and AI tools.
- Company: Innovative organisation at the forefront of modern engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong ownership and influence over architecture.
- Why this job: Join a team embracing AI-enhanced engineering and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in system design, distributed systems, and AI tools.
The predicted salary is between 77000 - 92000 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom
Salary: 77k – 92k (per annum)
Job type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full time
Industry: Scientific and R&D / Software Development
The Opportunity
We’re partnering with an innovative organisation building scalable, data-driven platforms at the forefront of modern engineering. They’re looking for a hands-on Staff Software Engineer—someone who combines strong system design and architecture expertise with active involvement in production development. This role focusses on building high-performance distributed systems, with a growing emphasis on AI-enabled engineering workflows.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Designing and developing scalable backend systems using Java/Kotlin
- Building and optimising event-driven architectures (Kafka or similar)
- Working hands-on to improve performance, reliability, and scalability
- Contributing to system design and technical direction at Staff level
- Using AI tools (e.g. LLMs, Copilot) to enhance coding and delivery
- Collaborating across teams to deliver robust, production-grade platforms
What We’re Looking For
- Core Experience
- Operating at Staff Engineer level (or equivalent)
- Strong system design and distributed systems experience
- Hands-on expertise in:
- Java / Kotlin
- Microservices
- Event-driven systems (Kafka, messaging platforms)
- Experience building high-scale, data-heavy systems
- A proactive, ownership-driven mindset
- Key Requirement: AI in Engineering
- Active use of AI tools in day-to-day development
- Experience using AI to:
- accelerate delivery
- improve productivity
- enhance engineering workflows
- This is a core requirement, not a “nice to have”
- Nice to Have
- Experience with data platforms or analytics systems
- Exposure to large-scale or columnar databases
- Cloud-native experience (AWS, Kubernetes, Docker)
Why This Role?
- True hands-on Staff position (not management-heavy)
- Work on high-impact, scalable systems
- Join a team embracing AI-enhanced engineering
- Strong ownership and influence over architecture and delivery
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Backend Engineer employer: Hays
Join a well-established ecological consultancy in Kent that prioritises work-life balance and professional development. With a collaborative team culture and a commitment to delivering high-quality ecological advice, this company offers meaningful career progression opportunities for ecologists. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and the chance to work on diverse projects across the South East and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Hays or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Hays.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Hays.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Hays that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Hays.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Hays and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Hays uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
