Senior Backend Engineer - UK

Senior Backend Engineer - UK

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Heidi

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop AI-driven backend systems that transform healthcare delivery.
  • Company: Heidi, a pioneering tech company revolutionising healthcare with AI.
  • Benefits: Equity from day one, comprehensive health cover, and generous learning budget.
  • Other info: Flexible hybrid work environment with opportunities for personal growth.
  • Why this job: Join a mission to enhance global healthcare while working with top talent.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in backend development with strong problem-solving skills.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Heidi is building an AI Care Partner that supports clinicians every step of the way, from documentation to delivery of care. We exist to double healthcare’s capacity while keeping care deeply human. In 18 months, Heidi has returned more than 18 million hours to clinicians and supported over 73 million patient visits. Today, more than two million patient visits each week are powered by Heidi across 116 countries and over 110 languages. Founded by clinicians, Heidi brings together clinicians, engineers, designers, scientists, creatives, and mathematicians, working with a shared purpose: to strengthen the human connection at the heart of healthcare. Backed by nearly $100 million in total funding, Heidi is expanding across the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe, partnering with major health systems including the NHS, Beth Israel Lahey Health, MaineGeneral, and Monash Health, among others.

The Role

A Senior Software Engineer responsible for the execution of the backend features, with a deep technical understanding and how it translates to representing user needs. You will have operated in a hyper growth startup with experience building SaaS products. You will also have a deep understanding of the key challenges engineers face and a firm grasp on design principles in prioritizing key features and capabilities. Your superpower is how to bridge the gap between technical specifics and business needs effortlessly and turn high-level designs into real-world solutions. You thrive in challenging situations, and you appreciate the dynamics of a flexible, flat‑structured work environment. You are quick to grasp the nuances and complexities of developing an AI product healthcare internationally. We know that brilliant people can come from unlikely places; if you have a proven track record of shipping spectacular technically challenging products and features, regardless of industry, we want to meet you.

What you'll do:

  • Ultimately you will have the opportunity to work with the engineering mastermind behind Heidi developing AI products which will change the face of healthcare.
  • Autonomously deliver beautiful & robust code with considerations on code structure design and scalability.
  • Implement and optimize data storage solutions.
  • Design, build, and maintain high‑performance backend systems using Python.
  • Architect and manage cloud infrastructure, ensuring scalability and reliability.
  • Develop and manage message queue systems for real‑time data processing.
  • Collaborate with frontend and AI teams to integrate new features and enhance existing APIs.
  • Optimize API performance and handle API versioning, documentation, and testing.

What we’ll look for:

  • Strong sense of ownership & strong problem‑solving skills.
  • 5+ years of backend development experience.
  • Solid experience with MongoDB and Redis for data management.
  • Experience building & managing message queue systems at scale.
  • Writing testable, effective and communicative code.
  • Data modeling, design patterns, understanding trade‑offs.
  • Deep understanding of API design principles, including security, versioning, and performance.
  • Data & application security knowledge and skills.
  • Experience in integrating with third‑party systems.
  • Competent with source code control and CI/CD pipeline technologies.
  • Architecting and building highly available, scalable, secure & performant systems.

What do we believe in?

Heidi builds for the future of healthcare, not just the next quarter, and our goals are ambitious because the world’s health demands it. We believe in progress built through precision, pace, and ownership.

  • Live Forever - Every release moves care forward: measured, safe, and built to last.
  • Practice Ownership - Decisions follow logic and proof, not hierarchy.
  • Small Cuts Heal Faster - Stability earns trust, speed delivers impact.
  • Make others better - Feedback is direct, kindness is constant, and excellence lifts everyone.

Our mission is clear: expand the world’s capacity to care, and do it without losing the humanity that makes care worth delivering.

Why you should Join Heidi:

  • Real product momentum. We’re not trying to generate interest, we’re channeling it.
  • Equity from day one. When Heidi wins, you win.
  • Unmatched impact. Play a pivotal role at a critical growth moment - working on a product that delivers tangible, real‑world value to clinicians and patients every day.
  • Work alongside world‑class talent. Join a team of operators and builders who’ve scaled unicorns.
  • Your health, covered. Comprehensive private medical and dental cover through Bupa, plus 24/7 mental health, coaching and wellbeing support through Sonder and a £100/month Healthy Heidi’s stipend.
  • Global parental leave. 26 weeks paid for primary carers and 18 weeks for secondary carers, subject to eligibility.
  • Fertility support. £7,000 one‑off payment, eligibility applies.
  • Learning & development. £700 per year for courses, books, memberships, conferences and more.
  • Home office budget. £500 one‑off to set up a workspace you actually want to work in.
  • Recharge days after major milestones and busy periods so you can reset and come back strong.
  • Work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year, wherever the world takes you.
  • Clinical leave. 10 days per year for eligible clinical roles to maintain accreditation and requirements.
  • Flexibility that works. A hybrid environment, with 3 days in the office.

Heidi’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Heidi is dedicated to creating an equitable, inclusive, and supportive work environment that brings people together from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our strength is in our differences. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are proud to welcome all applicants as we’re committed to promoting a culture of opportunity for all.

Senior Backend Engineer - UK employer: Heidi

Heidi is an exceptional employer that champions innovation in healthcare through a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong focus on employee growth, offering comprehensive benefits such as equity from day one, extensive learning opportunities, and flexible working arrangements, Heidi empowers its team to make a meaningful impact on the future of care. Located in the UK, employees enjoy a supportive environment that values diversity and prioritises well-being, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals looking to contribute to transformative healthcare solutions.

Heidi

Contact Details:

Heidi Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer - UK

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 Heidi 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 Heidi.

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 Heidi.

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 Heidi 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 Senior Backend Engineer - UK

Backend Development
Python
MongoDB
Redis
Message Queue Systems
API Design Principles
Data Security

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 Heidi.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Heidi 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 Heidi

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 Heidi 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.