Backend Engineer in Manchester

Backend Engineer in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 28800 - 48000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Manchester Digital

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to build innovative event-driven solutions and enhance data access.
  • Company: AJ Bell, a fast-growing investment platform with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, health plans, gym membership, and professional development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in tech while collaborating with talented professionals.
  • Qualifications: Experience in C#/Java and a passion for learning new technologies.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on personal growth and team collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.

We are recruiting a Backend Engineer within our Enterprise Architecture team to help us build event-driven solutions and democratise data access across our technology teams. Your first task will be to become proficient in cloud-native data and event streaming solutions. The next challenge for our team is to safely replace legacy workflows with event-driven architecture. You will join a vibrant Enterprise Architecture team, collaborating with Platform Engineers, Architects and Agile Delivery professionals. You will mentor and serve a variety of engineering and tech teams across our Technology Services department.

What does the job involve?

  • Working with Architects, data specialists and engineers to build solutions that democratise access to data and events.
  • Being responsible for the full software lifecycle.
  • Working with Business Analysts and users to deliver solutions in a complex and fast-moving environment.
  • Mentoring other engineers and agile teams to industrialise innovation.
  • Continuous improvement, refinement and refactoring.

Key Technical Skills

  • Strong experience in developing services and APIs using C# and/or Java.
  • Strong knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases.
  • Secure development practices.
  • Git-based source control.
  • Knowledge of CI automation systems such as Jenkins.

Bonus Points For

  • Event streaming (e.g. Kafka, Kinesis) and change data capture (CDC).
  • Messaging (e.g. RabbitMQ, SQS).
  • Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Solution and architecture design.
  • Test-driven development (TDD).
  • AWS cloud infrastructure (ECS, EKS, CodePipeline, RDS, CloudWatch).
  • Previous experience working in e-commerce and/or financial services.
  • Experience using GenAI tools, such as GitHub Copilot.

Soft Skills

  • Agile, SCRUM.
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Keen to learn and develop.
  • Passionate, self-starting, flexible and enjoy working in fast-paced environments.

About Us

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures. Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company. Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For' for six consecutive years and in 2025 named a Great Place to Work.

What We Offer

  • Starting holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service.
  • Holiday buy and sell scheme.
  • A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions.
  • Discretionary bonus scheme.
  • Annual free share awards scheme.
  • Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme.
  • Health Cash Plan – provided by Medicash.
  • Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan.
  • Free gym membership, with an on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Bike loan scheme.
  • Sick pay+ pledge.
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
  • Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay.
  • Loans for travel season tickets.
  • Death in service scheme.
  • Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and assessing new tech.
  • Support to attend conferences, events, and meet‐ups.
  • Paid time off for volunteer work.
  • Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice.
  • Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more.
  • Parking at Exchange Quay.
  • Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops.
  • Ongoing technical training.
  • Professional qualification support.
  • Talent management programmes.
  • Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off.
  • Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches.
  • Casual dress code.
  • Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals.

Hybrid Working

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That’s why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we’d love to speak to you.

Backend Engineer in Manchester employer: Manchester Digital

AJ Bell is an exceptional employer, renowned for its vibrant work culture and commitment to employee growth. With a range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, professional development programmes, and a hybrid working model, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Manchester, AJ Bell fosters collaboration within its Enterprise Architecture team, making it an ideal place for Backend Engineers to innovate and mentor while contributing to a leading investment platform.
Manchester Digital

Contact Detail:

Manchester Digital Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry meet-ups. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills in real-time! Consider doing a coding challenge or contributing to open-source projects. This not only showcases your abilities but also gives you something tangible to discuss in interviews.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by understanding the company’s tech stack and recent projects. Tailor your examples to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around event-driven architecture and cloud solutions.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer in Manchester

C#
Java
Relational Databases
NoSQL Databases
Secure Development Practices
Git
CI Automation (Jenkins)
Event Streaming (Kafka, Kinesis)
Change Data Capture (CDC)
Messaging (RabbitMQ, SQS)
Docker
Kubernetes
Solution and Architecture Design
Test-Driven Development (TDD)
AWS Cloud Infrastructure (ECS, EKS, CodePipeline, RDS, CloudWatch)
Agile
SCRUM
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Learning Agility

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Backend Engineer role. Highlight your experience with C#, Java, and any cloud-native solutions you've worked with. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for backend engineering and how you can help us democratise data access. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: We’re looking for strong technical skills, so be sure to include specific examples of your work with APIs, databases, and CI automation systems. If you’ve dabbled in event streaming or Docker, let us know – it could give you an edge!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!

How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you brush up on your C# and Java skills, as well as your knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects, especially in building APIs and services.

Understand Event-Driven Architecture

Since the role involves transitioning to event-driven solutions, familiarise yourself with concepts like event streaming and change data capture. If you have experience with tools like Kafka or Kinesis, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've implemented them.

Showcase Your Mentoring Skills

As mentoring is a key part of this role, think of instances where you've guided other engineers or teams. Highlight your approach to fostering innovation and continuous improvement within a team setting.

Communicate Clearly

Excellent communication is crucial, especially when collaborating with diverse teams. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, and be ready to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated with business analysts and users in previous roles.

Backend Engineer in Manchester
Manchester Digital
Location: Manchester

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