Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of scalable backend systems and distributed data platforms.
- Company: Join a dynamic engineering team focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, growth opportunities, and a strong engineering culture.
- Other info: Work without sponsorship in a fast-moving organisation.
- Why this job: Make an impact on complex systems while mentoring future engineers.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in backend engineering with expertise in distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer to help lead the evolution of a highly scalable distributed data platform powering large-scale enterprise systems. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex backend and infrastructure challenges, influencing technical strategy, and mentoring engineers while remaining hands-on with architecture and development. You’ll work across engineering teams to design and build high-performance distributed systems, scalable data pipelines, and cloud-native services operating at massive scale. This position plays a key role in shaping long-term platform architecture, improving system reliability and observability, and driving engineering best practices across the organization.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the design and development of scalable backend systems and distributed data platforms
- Architect and optimize high-performance, high-availability cloud-native services
- Build and maintain large-scale ETL and data processing pipelines
- Design APIs, microservices, and service-to-service communication frameworks
- Develop scalable systems for processing large, streaming, and multi-tenant datasets
- Drive technical strategy and influence architecture decisions across teams
- Improve platform observability, monitoring, reliability, and operational performance
- Collaborate closely with engineering leadership, product teams, and stakeholders
- Mentor engineers and contribute to engineering standards and best practices
- Participate in system troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and performance tuning
- Create and maintain technical documentation and architectural standards
What We’re Looking For
- 10+ years of backend or platform engineering experience
- Strong experience building and operating distributed systems at scale
- Deep understanding of microservices architecture and service-oriented design
- Experience with containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes
- Strong cloud experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Expertise with relational and non-relational databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, Cassandra, or Elasticsearch
- Experience designing scalable APIs and backend services using gRPC and Protocol Buffers
- Strong programming experience with Java/Kotlin, Python, C#, or similar backend technologies
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated deployments, and infrastructure automation
- Strong understanding of system design, scalability, security, and observability
- Ability to lead complex technical initiatives while collaborating across multiple teams
Nice to Have
- Experience working with large-scale data platforms or multi-tenant systems
- Familiarity with feature flags and release toggle strategies
- Experience evaluating or integrating third-party platforms and services
- Experience with service mesh technologies such as Envoy or AWS App Mesh
- Background in highly regulated or enterprise-scale environments
- Familiarity with Agile development practices
What’s Offered
- Opportunity to work on highly complex distributed systems and platform challenges
- Strong engineering culture focused on collaboration, scalability, and innovation
- High-impact role with influence on technical direction and architecture
- Growth opportunities within a fast-moving engineering organization
- Flexible and collaborative work environment
Must be able to work in the UK without any sponsorship!
Senior Staff Software Engineer employer: Hirewell
Contact Detail:
Hirewell Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Staff Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to distributed systems and cloud-native services. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do beyond your CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on system design and architecture principles. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail, especially around scalable backend systems.
✨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 are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Staff Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your backend engineering experience, especially with distributed systems and cloud-native services, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our needs. Mention specific projects or achievements that showcase your expertise in scalable systems and mentoring others.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to include relevant technical skills in your application. We want to see your experience with microservices, containerization, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. Be specific about the technologies you've worked with!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hirewell
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like distributed systems, microservices, and cloud platforms. Brush up on your knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and the databases listed. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just a fit for the role but also passionate about the tech.
✨Prepare Real-World Examples
Think of specific projects where you’ve tackled complex backend challenges or led technical initiatives. Be ready to share how you approached system design, improved reliability, or mentored other engineers. Concrete examples will help illustrate your experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Understand Their Needs
Research the company’s current platform and any recent developments in their technology stack. This will allow you to tailor your answers to demonstrate how your skills can directly benefit their goals. Showing that you understand their challenges will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about their engineering culture, team dynamics, and future projects. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. Asking about their approach to scalability and observability can lead to a great discussion!