At a Glance
- Tasks: Join an agile team to develop innovative back-end solutions using Kotlin.
- Company: Be part of the UK's largest employee-owned retailer, John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while leading and mentoring fellow engineers.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in Kotlin or Java, with strong leadership and mentoring skills.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 85000 £ per year.
As the UK’s most successful omni-channel retailer, ecommerce is a key part of our business - we run two of the busiest websites in the UK, driving a significant proportion of our sales. Our engineering practice includes 80+ teams, working on everything from Cloud platforms to mobile apps, from ecommerce functionality to machine learning.
Flexible Working: This is a hybrid working role, therefore your time will primarily be split between working from home (in the UK) and London Head Office. However, there will also be an expectation to visit other locations as the need arises. While most engineers visit the office once or twice a month, occasionally business needs may require more frequent attendance. Our offices are open five days a week for those who prefer to work from the office more regularly.
Salary: up to £92,400 (depending upon experience)
Contract type: Permanent
What will you be doing?
This is an opportunity to join one of our agile product teams working as a Staff Back-End Software Engineer using Kotlin. You will be leveraging your excellent backend skills from your Kotlin or Java background to build and support new features adding value for Our Business. As a Staff Engineer, you will also use your knowledge of Software Engineering to lead the shaping of new projects and support the professional development of less experienced Engineers. There are opportunities to become a people manager for your fellow engineers if that is something that appeals to you. Successful candidates will have a passion for using technology to deliver outstanding and innovative software solutions, and will have a track record of working in teams delivering complex, performant, high quality software.
Internally this role is known as Product Engineer (L6).
Essential skills/experience you’ll need:
- Extensive experience leading, coaching and mentoring individuals/teams
- Expertise in either server side Kotlin or a modern version of Java.
- A structured approach to systems analysis and development.
- A good understanding of Microservice Architectures.
- Experience with application frameworks such as http4k or Spring Boot.
- An understanding of Agile development methods such as Scrum or Kanban.
- Demonstrable experience in TDD, pair programming.
- Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery
- REST API development and/or consumption.
Desirable skills/experience you may have:
- Experience with Cloud Platforms such as AWS, GCP or Azure
- Docker, Kubernetes
- Jenkins, Gitlab CI.
Additional Information
The application form consists of an online assessment, CV upload, followed by application questions. If you are successful following your initial application, the next stages are: a screening telephone call with a recruiter, tech assessment and up to two rounds of interviews. You’ll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Staff Back End Engineer employer: John Lewis Partnership
Contact Detail:
John Lewis Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Back End Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or at industry events. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role at the company. Personal connections can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for back-end engineers and practice your answers. Don’t forget to showcase your experience with Kotlin or Java, and be ready to discuss your approach to Agile development.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your projects! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio, make sure it’s up to date. Highlight any relevant work that demonstrates your skills in microservices, TDD, or CI/CD. This is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the hiring process there. Don’t wait too long; apply early to beat the rush!
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Back End Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Staff Back End Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Kotlin or Java, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects where you've led teams or implemented complex software solutions. This will help us understand your hands-on experience and how you can contribute to our agile product teams.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application questions, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure to express your thoughts without unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you can find all the info you need about the application process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the tech stack mentioned in the job description, especially Kotlin and Java. Be ready to discuss your experience with these languages and how you've used them in past projects. This shows you’re not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in their technology.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Staff Back-End Engineer, you'll be expected to lead and mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your coaching style and how you’ve helped less experienced engineers grow.
✨Understand Agile Methodologies
Brush up on Agile development methods like Scrum and Kanban. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these methodologies in your previous roles. This will demonstrate that you can seamlessly integrate into their agile product teams.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s engineering practices, team dynamics, and future projects. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.