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
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Design, develop, and maintain backend services in Python 3.11 using Django / DRF
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Lead technical initiatives across payments infrastructure and integrations
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Drive improvements in system reliability, observability, and operational excellence
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Work closely with Product, Operations, Compliance, and external partners
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Investigate production issues and identify root causes rather than temporary fixes
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Improve legacy systems and reduce technical debt
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Lead architectural discussions and technical decision-making
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Mentor engineers through code reviews, pairing, and technical guidance
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Take ownership of delivery, planning, and execution of complex projects
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Help grow and develop the engineering team
What We're Looking For
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5+ years of backend development experience
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Strong Python and Django experience
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Experience leading projects or engineering teams
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Strong understanding of distributed systems, integrations, and system reliability
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Experience working with complex legacy systems and technical debt
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Ability to drive clarity in ambiguous situations
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Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
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Strong ownership mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving
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English (B2 level or higher) and fluent Russian
Nice to Have
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Experience in fintech, payments, banking, or other highly regulated industries
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Experience with AWS, Docker, MySQL, Redis, RabbitMQ, or Kafka
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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
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Direct impact — work on business-critical systems and influence core architecture
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Strategic leadership opportunities — grow into a central technical role as we scale
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Modern tech stack — Python 3.11, Django, MySQL, Redis, AWS, GitHub, TeamCity
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Remote-first and flexible — work from anywhere, on your own schedule
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Unlimited vacation — take the time you need, when you need it
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A supportive, experienced team that values quality, learning, and delivering results
Hiring Process
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Intro call with our Talent team
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Technical interview with the Backend team
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Gamified cognitive assessment to understand how you think and problem-solve
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Final conversation with our CTO
Fast and clear process — typically 1–2 weeks from first call to offer.
Senior Backend Engineer — Pensions Team (Python) 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.
