Tech Lead - Java in London

Tech Lead - Java in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Monument

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the tech roadmap for innovative savings infrastructure and collaborate on exciting new features.
  • Company: Join a pre-IPO challenger bank focused on making wealth management simpler and smarter.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, equity options, private health insurance, and flexible hybrid working.
  • Other info: No legacy debt, genuine backing, and opportunities for career growth in a dynamic setting.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of fintech with cutting-edge technology and a supportive team environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in tech leadership, strong Java skills, and knowledge of fintech regulations.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

We’re building something genuinely rare: a financial brand designed for the mass affluent, the professionals, entrepreneurs and ambitious savers that traditional banks have systematically underserved for decades.

We exist to make managing wealth simpler, smarter and more human, treating every client’s wealth with the same care as if it were our own. We have over £7 billion in client deposits, a fresh funding round and a place on the Future Fifty, the UK’s top pre-IPO companies. This is an engineering ownership role, not a delivery management role. For the right engineer, this is a rare opportunity: technical leadership at a pre-IPO challenger bank, on a core product in a segment nobody has properly cracked, with genuine commercial backing and the mandate to build it right from day one.

Own the technical roadmap for Monument’s Savings infrastructure, designing for growth, resilience and long-term maintainability as client volumes and deposit balances increase.

Partner with Product and Design to architect and ship new Savings features, from technical scoping and design through to production release and post-launch monitoring.

Identify, evaluate and implement AI-powered tooling that meaningfully accelerates design, development and code review, raising team output without compromising quality or security standards.

Set and maintain the architectural standards, coding conventions and quality bar for the Savings engineering team, ensuring consistency across the codebase and rigour in every release.

Line manage a team of engineers with a focus on performance, growth and retention, running regular one-to-ones, setting clear expectations and building a high-trust environment where people do their best work.

Ensure the Savings product is built and maintained in line with Monument’s regulatory obligations, including operational resilience requirements, UK GDPR data handling standards and the principles of FCA Consumer Duty as they apply to product design and delivery.

Act as a trusted technical voice to the CTO, surfacing risks early, contributing to engineering-wide decisions and representing Savings in technical forums.

Your architectural decisions will determine whether the Savings product handles that growth with confidence or becomes a source of operational and regulatory exposure.

There is a lot of noise around AI in engineering. Ship, learn, iterate.

Accountable for the health, performance and output of the Savings engineering function, not just your own code. Advocate for technical quality even when it is commercially inconvenient. Let data and results guide architectural decisions.

Proven experience as a Tech Lead or Lead Engineer in a high-growth, production-grade environment, ideally within fintech, challenger banking or a regulated digital business.

Deep, hands-on expertise in Java and Spring Boot, with strong instincts for building scalable, resilient, distributed systems.

Solid working knowledge of AWS, including compute, storage, networking and the operational considerations that come with running regulated workloads in the cloud.

A demonstrable track record of shipping high-quality software at pace, with clear evidence of sound technical decision-making under commercial pressure.

Strong architectural instincts, able to think beyond the immediate ticket and design systems that hold up under scale and scrutiny.

Practical experience evaluating or implementing AI-powered developer tooling, and a considered view on where it adds genuine value.

Familiarity with UK regulatory frameworks relevant to fintech, particularly PRA operational resilience requirements (SS1/21), UK GDPR obligations and FCA Consumer Duty principles.

Domain experience in savings, deposits or payments products is advantageous, as is a background in platform or infrastructure engineering.

Experience working alongside a compliance or risk function in a regulated financial services business.

No legacy debt to manage around, genuine commercial backing and architectural decisions that will shape Monument’s engineering for years.

28 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, performance related bonus structure, equity after probation, enhanced pension (9% employer contribution + 1% match when you contribute a minimum of 1%), private health insurance with family cover, optical and dental cover, online GP service for you and your family, life assurance, flexible hybrid working, including options to work from abroad, enhanced parental leave.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Monument

Contact Details:

Monument Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Tech Lead - Java in London

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Monument. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Tech Lead - Java in London

Java
Spring Boot
AWS
Architectural Design
Technical Leadership
AI-Powered Tooling
Regulatory Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Monument.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Monument's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Monument

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Monument.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Monument will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former Monument employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.