At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build integration infrastructure for maritime systems, ensuring seamless connectivity.
- Company: Join Narwhal, a pioneering tech company transforming the shipping industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity stake, and hands-on experience with real-world challenges.
- Other info: Opportunity to work directly with customers and see your solutions in action.
- Why this job: Tackle complex integration problems and make a tangible impact in maritime operations.
- Qualifications: 5+ years backend engineering experience and strong system design skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Shipping companies operate on systems that weren't designed to talk to each other: ERPs that only speak SOAP, supplier portals that require UI automation, forwarder platforms with inconsistent data formats, vessel systems with limited connectivity. You'll build the backend infrastructure that makes these systems work together, the integration layer, data synchronization engine, and workflow orchestration platform that powers Narwhal's AI agents.
What You'll Do
- Design and build integration infrastructure: connectors for ERPs (BASSnet, ShipNet, MariApps), supplier systems, forwarder platforms, and vessel management software
- Develop the data synchronization engine that keeps information consistent across disconnected systems in real-time
- Build workflow orchestration systems that coordinate AI agents across procurement, logistics, and inventory management
- Implement robust error handling, retry logic, and monitoring for integrations operating in unreliable network conditions (vessels at sea, port connections)
- Design database schemas and data models for our vessel-centric data layer
- Build APIs that expose Narwhal's capabilities to frontend applications and customer systems
- Ensure enterprise-grade security, data isolation, and compliance for multi-tenant deployments
- Instrument systems for observability: logging, metrics, alerting, and debugging tools
Who You Are
- 5+ years backend engineering experience
- Strong system design skills: you think about scalability, reliability, and maintainability
- Deep experience with APIs: REST, GraphQL, webhooks, authentication, rate limiting
- Solid understanding of databases: SQL, schema design, query optimization, data modeling
- Experience building integrations with third‑party systems, especially legacy enterprise software
- Comfortable with RPA frameworks or UI automation for systems without APIs
- Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills, you find root causes in complex distributed systems
- Pragmatic about technology choices: you pick the right tool for the job, not the trendy one
- Comfortable working directly with operators and technical teams during deployments, you'll debug issues on-site and explain technical decisions in operational terms
Nice to Have
- Experience in supply chain, logistics, or industrial operations software
- Background in enterprise integration platforms, ETL systems, or middleware
- Familiarity with message queues, event‑driven architectures, and async processing
- Understanding of maritime operations or freight forwarding workflows
Why Join Narwhal
- Core infrastructure role with ownership over critical systems
- Solve hard integration problems that most companies consider impossible
- Build for real‑world conditions: unreliable networks, legacy systems, high‑stakes operations
- Work directly with customers, see your systems in production, debug real issues, understand impact
- Equity stake in a company connecting a trillion‑dollar industry
What excites you about building for maritime operations? A hard problem you've solved that's relevant to this role? Why you want to join at this stage? We'll respond within 48 hours. Build the future of maritime technology with us. Talk to us about joining the Ambassador Program, integrating your systems, or partnering with Narwhal.
Senior Backend Engineer in London employer: Narwhal Project
At Narwhal, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Senior Backend Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to tackle complex integration challenges in the maritime industry while enjoying a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development. With equity stakes available and the chance to make a tangible impact on a trillion-dollar industry, joining our team means being part of a mission-driven company that values your contributions and expertise.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, tech conferences, or even local coding events. You never know who you might bump into that could help you land that Senior Backend Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those involving integrations and APIs. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out! If you see a job at Narwhal that excites you, drop us a message. A personal touch can make all the difference in getting noticed.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your debugging and troubleshooting skills. Be ready to discuss real-world scenarios where you've solved complex problems, especially in distributed systems.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Backend Engineer role. Highlight your experience with APIs, system design, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in building integrations and handling complex systems.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:We love seeing how you tackle tough challenges! Share specific examples of hard problems you've solved, especially those related to integration or working with legacy systems. This will help us understand your thought process and technical prowess.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to describe your experiences and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We want to see your personality shine through while still being professional!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we’ll get back to you within 48 hours, so you won’t be left hanging!
How to prepare for a job interview at Narwhal Project
✨Know Your Systems
Familiarise yourself with the specific systems mentioned in the job description, like BASSnet and ShipNet. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled integration challenges in the past, especially with legacy software.
✨Showcase Your Debugging Skills
Prepare examples of complex issues you've resolved in distributed systems. Highlight your troubleshooting process and how you communicated technical decisions to non-technical teams.
✨Demonstrate Scalability Thinking
Think about scalability, reliability, and maintainability in your previous projects. Be prepared to discuss how you designed systems that can handle growth and unexpected failures.
✨Engage with Real-World Scenarios
Be ready to talk about real-world conditions you've worked under, such as unreliable networks or high-stakes operations. Show your understanding of the maritime industry and why you're excited about solving these unique challenges.
