At a Glance
- Tasks: Build innovative products using AI and collaborate with a talented team.
- Company: Exciting startup with a focus on trust, autonomy, and entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pre-IPO equity, unlimited PTO, and generous parental leave.
- Other info: Join small teams for massive impact and enjoy flexible work options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving AI-assisted development in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, especially with Scala, and strong product thinking.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are looking for a staff software engineer who builds great products and has figured out how to use AI to do it fast. You will orchestrate agents, build feedback loops, and ship features end‑to‑end in a fraction of the time it used to take.
Tech Stack
- Backend: Scala, GCP services
- Frontend: React + TypeScript
We value stack‑agnostic thinking. Build with Go, Python, Java, or any other language if you pick things up fast.
Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities
- Identify and execute improvements to the codebase that make it easier for both humans and AI agents to move fast and ship safely.
- Work with a group of senior engineers in a low‑process environment powered by trust and autonomy.
- Drive decisions and consensus asynchronously with thoughtful documentation and specs.
- Own features end‑to‑end — from backend systems to partner‑facing surface.
- Use AI tooling across the stack as needed.
- Architect scalable solutions and foundational patterns that launch new partner experiences efficiently.
- Collaborate with PMs and business partners to define and refine the roadmap. Your voice and technical vision matter.
- Collaborate with a diverse group of people, giving and receiving feedback for growth.
Ideal Candidate
- Natural drive to dive into an unknown codebase and deliver results fast.
- Strong product thinking anchored in customer experience.
- Ability to direct AI agents and automated workflows, knowing when to intervene.
- Experience designing guardrails and feedback loops for AI‑assisted development.
- Mastery‑level willingness to learn or experience with distributed system development in Scala.
- Ability to articulate solutions, tradeoffs, and reasoning.
Perks and Benefits
- Well‑funded startup with competitive salary, pre‑IPO equity.
- Employee premiums fully covered for group insurance via Vitality Health.
- Automatic Smart Pension contributions.
- Generous parental leave above industry standards.
- On‑demand coworking space via FlexDesk and work‑from‑home stipend.
- Travel stipend.
- Unlimited PTO.
- Entrepreneurial culture with risk‑taking and open communication.
- Small, dynamic teams for massive impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Backend Software Engineer in Edinburgh
✨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 Hopper 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 Hopper.
✨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 Hopper.
✨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 Hopper 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 Staff Backend Software Engineer in Edinburgh
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 Hopper.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Hopper 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 Hopper
✨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 Hopper 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.
