Senior Distributed Systems Engineer in Brighton

Ready to pioneer the future of AI-augmented engineering and redefine the speed of software delivery? This could be the place for you! Trusted by the world’s leading platforms - Uber, Uber Eats, Amazon, Bolt, Ola, FreeNow - and pioneering the future of autonomous vehicle insurance, INSHUR is redefining the future of mobility. We are looking for a Senior Distributed Systems Engineer working on distributed systems to join us at INSHUR! We’re based in sunny Brighton, and our company embraces a hybrid working model, allowing you to thrive in both collaborative office settings and the comfort of your own home. You’ll have the opportunity to work remotely while also connecting with your colleagues at our Brighton office at least once a week, fostering a dynamic and supportive environment. You’ll be working on re‑inventing insurance in exciting markets across multiple territories including the UK, US, and the Netherlands, with plans to expand.

Supported by (and reporting to) an Engineering Manager, you’ll be joining a friendly team of 8-10 who believe in pioneering AI engineering workflows and transforming team practices through agentic collaboration. We value high performance and care deeply about making INSHUR a place where everyone is building something special, that we can all be proud of, while enjoying the ride.

What you’ll do

• Orchestrate Architecture: Own the design and implementation of distributed systems and event-driven architectures (Java/NodeJS/Go/GCP/Kubernetes), utilising AI agents to validate scalability and security patterns before implementation.
• AI-Native Development: Leverage tools like Claude Code to research, plan, and write code, delivering features at a velocity that exceeds standard manual engineering estimates.
• Mentorship & Evolution: Act as a force multiplier for the team by demonstrating agentic workflows and running internal sessions on how to effectively "steer" AI to solve engineering problems.
• Quality & Governance: Verify AI-generated outputs against our engineering standards to ensure we are not introducing "AI-generated technical debt."
• Pathfinding: Establish a personal "AI-native" workflow to ingest existing repository patterns and propose department-wide improvements to the developer experience.

Essentials to thrive in the role

• AI-Native / Agentic Workflow: You have effectively used tools like Claude Code to plan, architect, and code, and can clearly explain how you steer agents to achieve complex goals.
• Distributed Systems Architecture: You have a deep understanding of microservices, event-driven design, and GCP, which is vital for validating AI-generated outputs.
• Golang / Java / Polyglot Mindset: You possess a solid understanding of Go or Java (inc Spring) to verify code, while being able to use AI to bridge syntax gaps rapidly.
• Testing & Quality Assurance: You are able to enforce TDD/BDD standards even when code is generated by AI.
• Innovation & Growth Mindset: You are passionate about bringing new workflows to a scale‑up environment and "learning in the open."

Additional skills that could set you apart

• Scaling Experience: You have worked with distributed systems at a significant scale.
• Advanced Tooling Proficiency: You have a demonstrated track record using AI coding assistants like Cursor or Claude Code to solve legacy code issues.
• Mentorship Track Record: You have experience sharing knowledge and upskilling teams on new technologies or methodologies.

You’ll love it here if you:

• Thrive navigating ambiguity and finding clarity in uncertain situations.
• Take pride in being accountable and owning your responsibilities.
• Enjoy in a fast‑paced environment where change happens quickly.
• Enjoy innovating with AI and other technologies to find creative solutions.
• Are solutions‑focused and driven to overcome challenges.
• Embrace resilience and adapt to setbacks with a positive attitude.
• Are intellectually curious, constantly seeking to learn, explore new ideas, and not afraid to question and improve your understanding.

You may not enjoy working here if you:

• Prefer a more structured, slow‑moving environment.
• Feel most comfortable when tasks and processes are clearly defined from the start.
• Struggle with handling multiple challenges at once or adapting to frequent changes.
• Tend to stick strictly to your defined role and avoid contributing outside of your responsibilities.

Collaborating with AI

At INSHUR, we see AI as a powerful collaborator. We use technology to innovate, and our hiring process is no exception. For us, AI is a tool to enhance our processes and help you showcase your best self; we never use it to make the final hiring decision. We actively encourage you to use AI tools to help you shine.

What to expect from the process

• Screen & Intro: 30‑minute video call with the Talent Team to discuss the role and your experience with AI agents.
• HM Interview: 45‒60 minute video call with the Engineering Manager and Head of Engineering to delve into workflow, mindset, and AI tool usage.
• The "Agent" Test: A live technical task where you’ll use Claude Code (or your preferred agent) to solve a complex requirement or refactor code.
• Final Stage: 45‒60 minute interview with the broader team and People Team to assess collaboration and "Learning in the open."

We encourage you to ask questions about the role and the company throughout the hiring process. We believe that this is as much an opportunity for you to interview us as it is for us to interview you.

What we offer

Our budget for this role is £80,000 - £100,000 and we will take into account any previous experience and location of work when agreeing on the final offer. We offer all our employees stock options and we will pay into your pension monthly. We’ve also built a benefits package that invests in our people’s long-term personal and professional growth and wellbeing. Here’s a sample of what this includes:

• 30 days of holiday annually, plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare for you and your family, including pre-existing conditions
• Life insurance at 3x your salary
• 13 weeks parental leave at full pay for new parents
• Workplace nursery scheme with Gogeta, allowing you to pay fees pre‑tax
• Ride to work scheme
• Workplace pension scheme to help you save for retirement
• Flexible working hours to suit your lifestyle
• £500 annual personal training allowance plus regular learning opportunities on a variety of topics
• £40 monthly wellbeing to keep you healthy
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, covering you and immediate family members‒offering crisis support, counselling, legal advice, menopause CBT, and more

It goes without saying that we provide everyone with a laptop, monitor, top of the range kit, and any software you need.

About Us

INSHUR is on a mission to be the leader in insurance solutions for the on‑demand economy. From making coverage fair and accessible for today’s drivers, to building the insurance infrastructure for tomorrow’s autonomous vehicles, we’re building the future of on‑demand mobility. Cutting edge technology & deep insurance know-how underpins our revolutionary offering for on‑demand drivers, keeping premiums affordable and delivering results for partners. With a focus on embedded insurance solutions, and complementary technology integrations for digital platform providers such as Uber, Amazon, Bolt, FREENOW and OLA, we’ve been helping drivers stay on the road since 2016 through our data, technology and in-house insurance expertise.

Backed by some of the most forward thinking VC’s including Viola Growth, JVP, Munich Re, Viola Fintech, MTech Capital, Antler, and MS&AD, we have secured over $113.5 million in funding as well as the acquisition of American Business Insurance in 2023. We have exciting plans to continue growing our portfolio and product lines and expand to new territories in the future.

As a global team of around 220 people based across the US, UK, and the Netherlands, we value:

• Generosity, inclusivity, open‑mindedness, and diversity
• Delivering great results and learning in the open
• Freedom to make long‑term, high‑impact decisions
• The wellbeing of our teammates and the people around us

And… Enjoying the ride!

Equal opportunities

At INSHUR, we believe that having a diverse team where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work is key to our success. We’re passionate about creating equal opportunities and making the tech industry a better place for all and we don’t discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, marital status, disability, or age.

As at Aug 2025, our team consists of 46% women, 31% from BAME or BIPOC backgrounds, and 12% LGBTQ+. We proudly represent 30+ nationalities and span multiple generations, including Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. We’re proud to have been recognised for Diversity and Inclusion by the British Insurance Awards.

We recognise that some companies often hire people similar to the existing team—something we’ve worked hard to overcome. We follow a structured hiring process and ensure our interview teams are trained to foster inclusivity and equity.

While this position is advertised as full‑time, we’re flexible on specific arrangements and happy to discuss options like part‑time, job‑sharing, or other flexible work setups for the right candidate. If you need any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.