At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Payments Team, design and develop backend services using Python and Django.
- Company: Fast-growing fintech in London, making ETF investing simple and accessible.
- Benefits: Remote-first work, unlimited vacation, and a modern tech stack.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for strategic leadership and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a direct impact on critical systems and influence core architecture.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of backend experience, strong Python skills, and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
About InvestEngine
InvestEngine is a fast-growing fintech based in London, on a mission to make ETF investing simple and accessible. Over 150,000 clients have trusted us with more than £3 billion in assets — and we're just getting started.
About the Role
We're looking for a Lead Backend Engineer to join and lead our Payments Team. This is a hands-on leadership role combining backend engineering, technical ownership, and team leadership. The Payments Team owns one of the most business-critical domains at InvestEngine, responsible for payment flows, external provider integrations, transaction reliability, and operational efficiency. The team is entering an exciting stage where we are looking for a strong technical leader who can help simplify complex systems, improve reliability, drive architectural improvements, and scale both the platform and the team.
What You'll Do
- Design, develop, and maintain backend services in Python 3.11 using Django / DRF
- Lead technical initiatives across payments infrastructure and integrations
- Drive improvements in system reliability, observability, and operational excellence
- Work closely with Product, Operations, Compliance, and external partners
- Investigate production issues and identify root causes rather than temporary fixes
- Improve legacy systems and reduce technical debt
- Lead architectural discussions and technical decision-making
- Mentor engineers through code reviews, pairing, and technical guidance
- Take ownership of delivery, planning, and execution of complex projects
- Help grow and develop the engineering team
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years of backend development experience
- Strong Python and Django experience
- Experience leading projects or engineering teams
- Strong understanding of distributed systems, integrations, and system reliability
- Experience working with complex legacy systems and technical debt
- Ability to drive clarity in ambiguous situations
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong ownership mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving
- English (B2 level or higher) and fluent Russian
Nice to Have
- Experience in fintech, payments, banking, or other highly regulated industries
- Experience with AWS, Docker, MySQL, Redis, RabbitMQ, or Kafka
- Experience leading modernization or system migration initiatives
How We Work
We’re a lean, collaborative team where developers help shape architecture, product direction, and engineering culture. You’ll have real impact, autonomy, and the trust to build solutions that scale with the business — without micromanagement or heavy bureaucracy.
What We Offer
- Direct impact — work on business-critical systems and influence core architecture
- Strategic leadership opportunities — grow into a central technical role as we scale
- Modern tech stack — Python 3.11, Django, MySQL, Redis, AWS, GitHub, TeamCity
- Remote-first and flexible — work from anywhere, on your own schedule
- Unlimited vacation — take the time you need, when you need it
- A supportive, experienced team that values quality, learning, and delivering results
Hiring Process
- Intro call with our Talent team
- Technical interview with the Backend team
- Gamified cognitive assessment to understand how you think and problem-solve
- Final conversation with our CTO
- Fast and clear process — typically 1–2 weeks from first call to offer.
Lead Backend Engineer (Payments Team) in London employer: InvestEngine
InvestEngine is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a fast-growing UK investment platform. With a transparent and collaborative culture, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and the chance to lead a dedicated team while directly partnering with the CEO. The company prioritises employee growth through hands-on leadership roles and the freedom to design and implement innovative operating models.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Backend Engineer (Payments Team) 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 InvestEngine 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 InvestEngine.
✨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 InvestEngine.
✨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 InvestEngine 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 Lead Backend Engineer (Payments Team) 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 InvestEngine.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at InvestEngine 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 InvestEngine
✨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 InvestEngine 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.
