At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable search and discovery services using cutting-edge technologies.
- Company: Join a highly innovative tech business focused on customer-facing digital products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment embracing AI tools and modern engineering practices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how users discover and engage with products at scale.
- Qualifications: Experience with Java/Kotlin, Elasticsearch, and a passion for clean, maintainable code.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We’re working with a highly innovative technology business that’s continuing to scale its Engineering function as part of a major investment in customer‑facing digital products, personalisation and intelligent discovery. This is an opportunity to join a team building sophisticated ML‑led search and recommendation experiences used by thousands of customers, helping shape how users discover, customise and engage with products at scale. The organisation is investing heavily in modern engineering practices, cloud‑native architecture and scalable platform capabilities, with Search positioned as a core part of the customer experience strategy.
The Role
As a Senior Software Engineer, you’ll play a key role in designing and delivering high‑performance search and discovery solutions across a modern distributed architecture. You’ll work closely with Product, Engineering and Data teams to build scalable services and intelligent customer experiences, contributing not just through delivery but also through technical direction, architecture and engineering best practice. The environment embraces modern AI‑enabled engineering tooling, with teams actively leveraging technologies such as Claude, Cursor and AI‑assisted development workflows to improve productivity, accelerate delivery and enhance engineering quality. This role offers the chance to work on genuinely impactful platform challenges within an environment that values innovation, quality engineering and continuous improvement.
Day‑to‑day you’ll be:
- Designing and building scalable search and discovery services
- Developing high‑performance backend systems using Java and/or Kotlin
- Enhancing personalisation and package customisation experiences
- Working with Elasticsearch to optimise search relevance and performance
- Contributing to cloud‑native architecture and platform scalability within AWS
- Leveraging AI‑enabled engineering tooling to accelerate development and improve delivery efficiency
- Collaborating across engineering and product teams to shape technical solutions
- Driving engineering standards, maintainability and best practice
- Supporting continuous improvement across performance, observability and delivery
What We’re Looking For
- Hands‑on experience with Elasticsearch or modern search platforms
- Strong commercial experience with Java and/or Kotlin
- Good understanding of scalable distributed systems and microservices architecture
- Exposure to TypeScript within modern engineering environments
- Interest in modern AI‑assisted engineering tooling and development practices
- Strong focus on clean, maintainable and performant code
- Experience working within agile, product‑led teams
- Passion for building high‑quality customer‑facing technology
Senior Software Engineer, ML-Driven Search & Personalization in Manchester employer: MRJ Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking technology company that prioritises innovation and employee growth, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact customer experiences. With a strong focus on modern engineering practices and AI-driven tools, you'll have the opportunity to enhance your skills while collaborating with talented teams in a supportive environment. Located in a vibrant tech hub, this role not only promises meaningful work but also access to a network of industry leaders and cutting-edge resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, ML-Driven Search & Personalization in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving ML-driven search or personalisation. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your expertise beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Java, Kotlin, and Elasticsearch skills. Practice coding challenges and system design questions to show you’re ready to tackle real-world problems.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, ML-Driven Search & Personalization in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Elasticsearch, Java, and Kotlin, and don’t forget to mention any work with scalable distributed systems!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about building high-quality customer-facing technology and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our innovative team.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, whether personal or professional, make sure to include them. We love seeing how you've applied your skills in real-world scenarios, especially if they involve AI-enabled engineering tooling or cloud-native architecture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get you into our system quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MRJ Recruitment
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Java, Kotlin, and Elasticsearch. Brush up on your knowledge of scalable distributed systems and microservices architecture, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly those related to search and personalisation. Think about how you approached these problems and the impact of your solutions. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to high-performance search and discovery services.
✨Familiarise Yourself with AI Tools
Since the role involves leveraging AI-enabled engineering tooling, it’s a good idea to have some knowledge of tools like Claude and Cursor. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used similar technologies to improve productivity and delivery efficiency in past projects.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This position requires working closely with product and data teams, so be prepared to talk about your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you’ve contributed to team success and driven engineering standards in previous roles.
