At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable backend services using the latest tools and techniques.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at heycar, part of Volkswagen Financial Services UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, private medical insurance, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Enjoy a fun office environment with epic socials and a fully stocked kitchen.
- Why this job: Shape the future of automotive experiences while collaborating with innovative teams.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills and a passion for problem-solving and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Since August 2019, we’ve been making it easier for customers to find the right vehicle, and for automotive retailers to sell them. More recently, we’ve been on a journey. In June 2025 we were acquired by Volkswagen Financial Services UK (VWFS UK) and our mission is simple: build the right tech solutions for Volkswagen Group UK and its retailers, so they can deliver the best possible experiences to their customers. We’re a mix of problem-solvers, innovators, and team players who care about doing great work and making a difference. We thrive on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. We deliver impactful solutions at pace that put the customer at the centre.
If you're looking for a meaningful challenge, and want to help shape the future of automotive experiences, then read on…
About the role:
Join the team and play a pivotal role in designing and building highly scalable and maintainable backend services. You'll have the opportunity to leverage and suggest the latest tools and techniques, collaborating closely with Product, Design, and Sales teams. We encourage sharing technical solutions and product ideas through code and design reviews, pair programming, and presentations, all while continuously improving our Agile processes.
What you’ll do:
- Hands on building highly scalable and maintainable backend services
- Turn intricate business needs into robust technical designs and high-level architecture
- Use appropriate tools for development and be proactive in suggesting new tools, frameworks or techniques
- Collaborate across functional teams including Product, Design and Sales
- Share technical solutions and product ideas through code and design reviews, pair programming, and presentations
- Highlight areas we can improve on as a team practising Agile processes
- Offer expert technical leadership and support while mentoring our developing engineering talent
Our Tech Stack:
We primarily use the following tools and frameworks:
- Python
- Django
- FastAPI
- AWS
- ElasticSearch
- Postgresql
- Kafka
- Github
- Kubernetes
- Redis
What you’ll need:
- Strong technical skills to design and build scalable backend services, primarily in Python (in any framework)
- Analytical skills: a love for problem solving, and improving our working processes
- A good understanding of databases, OO design, data structures, distributed systems and SOLID principles
- Strong desire to work collaboratively with both your peers and business teams
- The ability to communicate technical concepts to other members of the team
What we’ll give you:
- Compensation: We offer a competitive salary + performance based bonus
- Holidays: You’ll have 28 days off (plus bank holidays) throughout the year, and an extra day off to enjoy your birthday!
- Benefits + Perks: With private medical insurance, learning and development opportunities and mental health support
- Hybrid Working: Flexible working culture with hybrid working in our offices in Holborn (London) and working from home days
- Feedback: We encourage honest feedback within our team
- A Challenge: Fast paced but not fraught
- Fun: A fully stocked kitchen and bar, an awesome office environment and epic socials
If you’re ready to work with a creative, high-performing group of people we want to hear from you. Please apply directly to this role. Contact: Reece Jagger for more details.
Senior Backend Engineer in London employer: heycar
Drive is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the automotive industry. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a strong focus on employee growth through learning opportunities, Drive ensures that its team members thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the vibrant Holborn area of London, employees enjoy a flexible hybrid working environment, a supportive atmosphere for feedback, and a fun office culture complete with social events and amenities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer in London
✨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 heycar 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 heycar.
✨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 heycar.
✨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 heycar 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 in London
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 heycar.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at heycar 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 heycar
✨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 heycar 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.
