At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain robust APIs using Python, ensuring high reliability in production environments.
- Company: London-based software studio focused on innovative legal-tech solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, technical autonomy, and direct collaboration with the founder.
- Other info: Opportunity for diverse impact and career growth in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Be the first backend hire and shape core product decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 4+ years of experience in production-grade services with strong Python and SQL skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 € per year.
London-based software studio and research lab building proprietary legal-tech and production systems.
As the first backend hire at this high-standard software studio, you will own the technical architecture and production health of revenue-critical systems. Working directly with the founder, you will build and operate Python (FastAPI) services, ensuring reliability and correctness are prioritised over shipping speed in a production-first environment.
Why this role is remarkable:
- Rare opportunity to be the first backend hire, gaining total technical autonomy and direct collaboration with the founder on core product decisions.
- Join a studio that values engineering integrity and 'correctness before scale,' moving away from high-velocity ticket culture to deep operational ownership.
- Diverse impact across proprietary research software for the legal sector and stabilising critical external systems where your code directly affects revenue.
What You Will Do:
- Design, develop, and maintain robust APIs using Python (FastAPI), Postgres, and Redis for production environments.
- Take full responsibility for the deployment and operational health of services, ensuring high reliability under real-world loads.
- Architect and implement system improvements, including transitioning to event-driven architectures and optimising infrastructure on AWS/Kubernetes.
The ideal candidate:
- Has 4+ years of experience building and operating production-grade services with a strong command of Python and SQL (Postgres).
- Demonstrates a history of technical ownership, having successfully managed scaling or reliability projects from development through to production.
- Proficient with modern infrastructure tools such as AWS, Docker, or Kubernetes and understands the trade-offs of designing maintainable, explicit systems.
Backend Engineer (£40,000) at London software studio and legal-tech lab employer: Jack & Jill
As a London-based software studio and legal-tech lab, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of engineering integrity and operational ownership. This role offers the unique opportunity to be the first backend engineer, allowing you to shape the technical landscape while collaborating closely with the founder. With a focus on employee growth and a commitment to quality over speed, we provide a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact our innovative legal-tech solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer (£40,000) at London software studio and legal-tech lab
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to the hiring manager.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python and FastAPI. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and system design principles. Practice common interview questions and consider mock interviews to build your confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with our values of engineering integrity and operational ownership.
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer (£40,000) at London software studio and legal-tech lab
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Backend Engineering:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for backend engineering shine through! Share specific projects or experiences that highlight your skills in Python and system architecture. We love to see candidates who are genuinely excited about the work they do.
Tailor Your Application to Us:Make sure to customise your application to fit our job description. Highlight your experience with FastAPI, Postgres, and AWS, and explain how your background aligns with our focus on reliability and correctness. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are serious about joining our team.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and fluff. Use bullet points if necessary to make your key achievements stand out. Remember, we want to understand your experience quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for both of us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jack & Jill
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python, FastAPI, Postgres, and Redis. Brush up on your knowledge of AWS and Kubernetes too. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects, especially focusing on reliability and performance.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around scaling or reliability. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your technical ownership.
✨Understand the Company’s Values
Familiarise yourself with the studio's focus on engineering integrity and correctness over speed. Be prepared to discuss how you align with these values and how you would approach building systems that prioritise reliability.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's vision, the role's responsibilities, and the technical challenges they face. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
