At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of scalable backend systems and build high-quality services.
- Company: Join Holland & Barrett, a leader in health and wellness.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and annual bonuses.
- Other info: Hybrid working with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital experiences and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong Java and Golang experience, with a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the role
We offer hybrid working, with occasional presence at one of our Holland & Barrett offices in London or Nuneaton for team collaboration, key meetings and events (typically once per quarter).
We're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to help shape the future of our digital experience at Holland & Barrett. You'll join our Online Customer Experience (OCX) team at an exciting moment. We're moving beyond a major transformation and into building new, scalable propositions that help more people make health and wellness a way of life. This is a role for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing technical direction and supporting others to grow — while delivering reliable, high-quality software that makes a real difference.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the design and delivery of scalable backend systems across key product areas
- Build reliable, high-quality services that power our web and mobile experiences
- Collaborate with product, QA and UX to deliver meaningful outcomes for customers
- Mentor engineers and support their technical and professional development
- Take ownership of technical decisions, balancing immediate needs with long‑term impact
- Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to a range of audiences
- Champion best practices in security, performance and system reliability
- Continuously improve ways of working, exploring new tools and technologies
What you'll bring:
- Strong experience with Java (17+) and Spring Boot (or similar frameworks)
- Solid experience with Golang and building production‑grade services
- Deep understanding of APIs, REST and distributed systems
- Experience working with SQL and databases such as Postgres or Oracle
- Experience with AWS and cloud‑based architectures
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and modern engineering practices
- A proactive approach to monitoring, troubleshooting and improving performance
- Clear communication skills and a collaborative mindset
Nice to have:
- Experience with Kubernetes, Helm or container orchestration
- Familiarity with tools such as Datadog, Prometheus or Grafana
- Exposure to Python scripting
Benefits:
- 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), plus holiday purchase scheme
- Private medical insurance – single cover
- 24/7 Virtual GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Annual free at‑home health testing kit (after 6 months' service)
- Workplace pension with 5% employer contribution
- Annual bonus (subject to company and individual performance) up to 10%
- £50 colleague product allowance (after 6 months' service)
- 25% colleague discount plus free delivery on online orders
- Free Wellhub membership with access to gyms, studios and wellbeing apps
- Cycle to Work scheme
Inclusion & accessibility statement: We are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we are happy to make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process. If there's anything you need, just let us know. Holland & Barrett is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diverse perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues.
Senior Software Engineer (40037) employer: Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a hybrid working model that fosters collaboration and innovation. With generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday, private medical insurance, and a commitment to inclusivity, we create an environment where every team member can thrive while contributing to meaningful health and wellness initiatives. Join us in shaping the future of digital experiences in a supportive culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (40037)
✨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 Holland & Barrett 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 Holland & Barrett.
✨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 Holland & Barrett.
✨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 Holland & Barrett 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 Software Engineer (40037)
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 Holland & Barrett.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Holland & Barrett 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 Holland & Barrett
✨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 Holland & Barrett 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.
