At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and build microservices on AWS for a cutting-edge AI communications platform.
- Company: Join Narwhal Labs, a fast-growing tech start-up in Bristol.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Office-based role with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the architecture of impactful products used by real customers.
- Qualifications: 4+ years AWS experience with strong backend development skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: Bristol, UK — predominantly in-house
Experience: 4+ years operating on AWS with meaningful DevOps ownership
About Us
Narwhal Labs is a fast-growing tech start-up based in Bristol. We are building an AI communications platform at scale, and our engineering team is central to everything we do. We are looking for a Senior Fullstack Engineer who thrives on ownership, enjoys building reliable systems and wants to help shape the architecture of a product used by real customers in production.
The Role:
We are looking for a Senior Fullstack Engineer to own our microservices platform on AWS. You will build reliable, multi‑tenant services and a first‑class integration layer spanning messaging, outreach, CRM, billing, analytics and payment systems that powers a SaaS product at scale. This is an office‑based role and candidates must be located in or within commutable distance of Bristol.
Responsibilities:
- Design and build microservices behind API Gateway (REST/HTTP), running on Lambda and containerised workloads on EC2/Fargate
- Model multi‑tenant data across DynamoDB and RDS (PostgreSQL), using S3 for object storage and KMS for secrets and encryption
- Build and maintain an integrations layer including OAuth/API‑key onboarding, webhook ingestion with idempotency, retries and DLQs, rate‑limit mediation, circuit breakers and versioned connector contracts
- Integrate with third‑party platforms and payment systems, ensuring secure, reliable and scalable flows for transactions, billing and data exchange
- Design and implement event‑driven architecture by publishing and consuming domain events via SQS, SNS and EventBridge, using Step Functions where orchestration is needed
- Maintain observability and reliability through structured logging, metrics and alerts with CloudWatch, trace propagation and error budgets
- Apply security best practices including least‑privilege IAM, secret rotation, per‑tenant isolation and audit logs
- Define infrastructure as code using AWS SAM and ship via GitHub Actions with automated tests and canary/blue‑green deployments
- Define clear API contracts with frontend and AI services, and document runbooks and postmortems
Requirements:
- 4+ years operating on AWS with meaningful DevOps ownership — you have shipped and run production systems
- Hands‑on experience with Lambda, EC2/Fargate, API Gateway, S3, DynamoDB, RDS (PostgreSQL), SQS/SNS/EventBridge, CloudWatch and KMS
- Infrastructure as code experience with AWS SAM including templates, pipelines and parameterised stacks
- CI/CD experience with GitHub Actions and automated testing using tools such as Jest/Vitest, Postman/Newman or Pact
- Strong backend development in Node.js/TypeScript (Go or Python also welcome) and solid API design skills across REST, with GraphQL a plus
- Strong data modelling skills including NoSQL vs relational trade‑offs, partitioning, indexing and migration strategies
- Proven experience building and consuming webhook‑heavy third‑party integrations with idempotency and signature verification
- Experience integrating with payment gateways such as Stripe, Adyen or Braintree and handling PCI/DSS‑compliant transaction flows
Nice to have:
- Event choreography with Step Functions, schema registries and outbox patterns
- OpenTelemetry/X‑Ray tracing and cost and performance tuning for Lambda and RDS
- Experience with Cognito/OIDC, RBAC/ABAC and multi‑tenant isolation patterns
- Familiarity with real‑time delivery via WebSockets or SSE and streaming responses
- Background in building connector SDKs or integration marketplaces
Senior Full Stack Engineer (AWS Microservices & Integrations) in England employer: Narwhal Labs
Narwhal Labs is an innovative tech start-up located in the vibrant city of Bristol, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and ownership are highly valued. As a Senior Full Stack Engineer, you will have the opportunity to shape the architecture of a cutting-edge AI communications platform while enjoying a collaborative culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on meaningful projects and a commitment to work-life balance, Narwhal Labs stands out as an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the tech industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Full Stack Engineer (AWS Microservices & Integrations) in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, tech talks, or even local coffee catch-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving AWS and microservices. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills. Remember, confidence is key, so get comfortable explaining your thought process!
✨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 at Narwhal Labs.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Full Stack Engineer (AWS Microservices & Integrations) in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your AWS experience, DevOps ownership, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our microservices platform!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're excited about this role at Narwhal Labs. Share your passion for building reliable systems and how you envision shaping our architecture. This is your chance to show us your personality!
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving AWS, microservices, or integrations, make sure to mention them. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so don’t hold back!
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 the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved!
How to prepare for a job interview at Narwhal Labs
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in AWS services like Lambda, EC2, and DynamoDB. Brush up on your knowledge of microservices architecture and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these technologies in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles, especially around building reliable systems or handling integrations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Demonstrate Ownership and Initiative
Narwhal Labs values ownership, so be ready to talk about times when you took charge of a project or initiative. Highlight how you’ve contributed to the architecture and design of systems, and how your decisions impacted the end product.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s tech stack, team dynamics, and future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
