Senior Backend Engineer

Senior Backend Engineer

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Model ML

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build scalable backend systems for AI-driven financial solutions.
  • Company: Join Model ML, a fast-growing AI platform transforming finance.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of financial technology.
  • Why this job: Tackle unique challenges at the intersection of AI and finance.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in backend engineering with expertise in Python and databases.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Company Overview

Model ML is the AI workflow builder transforming how major financial institutions produce and validate client-ready work. Model ML converts complex, manual processes into fully automated AI systems that scale across global teams. In under a year, Model ML has become one of the fastest growing enterprise AI platforms worldwide and recently closed a $75 million Series A, one of the largest fintech Series A rounds ever.

About The Role

As a Senior Backend Engineer at Model ML, you will be at the forefront of building and scaling the infrastructure that powers our product. You will design and implement robust, high-performance backend systems that handle complex data pipelines, enable seamless AI model deployment, and ensure enterprise-grade security and compliance for our financial services clients. Working closely with machine learning engineers, product teams, and infrastructure specialists, you will architect scalable solutions that process sensitive financial data with precision and reliability. This role offers the opportunity to tackle unique technical challenges at the intersection of AI and finance, where your work will directly impact how financial institutions leverage artificial intelligence to transform their operations. You will drive technical decisions, mentor junior engineers, and help shape the engineering culture as we scale our platform to serve the world’s leading financial organisations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs that power Model ML’s AI workspace platform
  • Build and optimize data pipelines for processing large-scale financial datasets with high accuracy and performance
  • Implement robust security measures and ensure compliance with financial industry regulations (SOC 2, GDPR, FCA requirements)
  • Collaborate with ML engineers to productionise machine learning models and integrate them into backend systems
  • Optimize database schemas and queries for high-throughput, low-latency operations across distributed systems
  • Lead technical design reviews and mentor junior and mid-level engineers
  • Monitor system performance, troubleshoot production issues, and implement solutions to improve reliability and uptime
  • Contribute to engineering best practices, code quality standards, and technical documentation

Required Qualifications

  • 7+ years of professional backend engineering experience with a proven track record of building and scaling production systems
  • Expert-level proficiency in Python and modern web frameworks, particularly FastAPI (or similar frameworks like Flask or Django)
  • Deep understanding of relational databases, especially PostgreSQL—including query optimisation, indexing strategies, and performance tuning
  • Proven experience scaling databases
  • Strong knowledge of caching strategies and in-memory data stores, particularly Redis
  • Hands-on experience with asynchronous task processing using Celery or equivalent distributed task queues
  • Proficiency with message brokers and event-driven architectures (Azure Service Bus, RabbitMQ, Kafka, or similar)
  • Solid understanding of RESTful API design principles and microservices architecture patterns
  • Experience with cloud platforms (Azure preferred; AWS or GCP acceptable) and containerisation technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Strong knowledge of security best practices, authentication/authorisation mechanisms, and data encryption
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and version control systems (Git)
  • Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex distributed systems
  • Strong communication skills and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

What We Offer

You will be reporting directly to the founders, who have two successful venture-backed exits under their belt. Competitive salary + equity. Supportive and innovative work environment. Opportunity to help shape and build a generational company.

What You Can Expect

It won’t be easy; in fact, it will be very hard. BUT, it will be a lot of fun. You need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable; timelines will change, priorities will most likely shift.

To conclude, we’re building a team of like-minded, incredibly smart, tenacious individuals with relentless work ethic and focus, all driving towards our very clear revolutionary mission. If you match this description, buy into that mission and you’re at a career stage where you’re ready to make your defining statement to the world, please apply.

Senior Backend Engineer employer: Model ML

Model ML is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI innovation in the heart of London. With direct access to experienced founders and a culture that prioritises high trust and impact, employees can expect to grow rapidly while shaping the future of enterprise AI marketing. The competitive salary, meaningful equity, and performance-based incentives further enhance the appeal of joining a team dedicated to building something iconic.

Model ML

Contact Details:

Model ML Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at meetups. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repo showcasing your projects, especially those that align with backend engineering and AI. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and system design principles. Practice common backend problems and be ready to discuss your thought process during interviews.

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 Senior Backend Engineer

Backend Engineering
Python
FastAPI
PostgreSQL
Query Optimisation
Redis
Celery

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Backend Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Python, FastAPI, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in building scalable backend systems.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AI and finance, and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team at Model ML.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you've tackled complex technical challenges in the past. We love seeing how you approach problem-solving!

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’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Model ML

Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in Python and the frameworks mentioned, especially FastAPI. Brush up on your knowledge of relational databases like PostgreSQL and be ready to discuss your experience with caching strategies and asynchronous task processing.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in backend engineering. Think about how you debugged complex distributed systems or optimised database performance. Real-world examples will help demonstrate your expertise.

Understand the Financial Sector

Since Model ML operates in the financial space, it’s crucial to have a grasp of industry regulations like SOC 2 and GDPR. Familiarise yourself with how these regulations impact backend development and security measures.

Be Ready to Collaborate

This role involves working closely with machine learning engineers and product teams. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in cross-functional teams before, and be open to sharing ideas on how to improve engineering culture.