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- Tasks: Lead backend architecture and design for Ruby on Rails applications, driving system scalability and reliability.
- Company: High-growth tech organisation focused on innovative product platforms.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus opportunities, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving complex systems and mentoring fellow engineers.
- Qualifications: 8-10+ years in software engineering with strong Ruby on Rails experience.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are partnering with a high-growth technology organisation investing heavily in its product platform, supporting complex and mission-critical workflows at scale. As part of this growth, the company is hiring a Staff Software Engineer to act as a technical leader across a suite of backend-heavy products. This is a high-impact role focused on improving system scalability, reliability and long-term architecture within a complex product environment.
As a Staff Engineer, you will take ownership of backend architecture and system design across Ruby on Rails services, while contributing to frontend systems where required. You will work closely with Product, Platform and SRE teams to deliver scalable solutions, improve system health and ensure engineering best practices are consistently applied across the organisation.
Responsibilities
- Act as a Staff-level technical leader across multiple product teams
- Drive backend architecture and system design within Ruby on Rails applications
- Lead scalability, performance and reliability initiatives from design through to production
- Improve system health by addressing legacy complexity, technical debt and architectural gaps
- Serve as a go-to technical expert for complex system and domain challenges
- Collaborate with Product to translate business workflows into scalable technical solutions
- Partner with Platform and SRE teams to improve observability, reliability and operational standards
- Elevate engineering standards through mentoring, design reviews and knowledge sharing
What We're Looking For
Must Have
- 8-10+ years of professional software engineering experience
- Strong experience with Ruby on Rails in production environments
- Deep understanding of backend systems, APIs and service architecture
- Strong experience working with relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred)
- Proven experience working within complex or legacy product environments
- Ability to influence technical direction beyond individual contributions
- Strong ownership mindset across design, delivery and production support
- Excellent collaboration skills across engineering, product and platform teams
- Clear communicator with the ability to drive alignment across stakeholders
Nice to Have
- Experience with modern JavaScript frameworks (React preferred)
- Exposure to data-heavy systems or analytics platforms
- Experience with AWS or cloud-native environments
- Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD and SRE practices
- Experience working in regulated or operationally complex domains
Technology Environment
The platform is built on a modern, cloud-native stack including:
- Ruby on Rails
- PostgreSQL
- AWS
- RESTful APIs and distributed services
- Modern JavaScript frameworks (React)
- CI/CD pipelines and observability tooling
What Success Looks Like
- Delivering scalable, reliable backend systems in a complex domain
- Driving measurable improvements in performance and system health
- Elevating engineering standards and best practices across teams
- Acting as a trusted technical leader across product and engineering
Who Thrives in This Role
You are a Staff Engineer who leads through influence, not hierarchy. You enjoy working in complex systems, solving difficult problems and leaving things better than you found them. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, particularly in evolving product environments, and you take pride in building systems that are robust, scalable and genuinely valuable to users.
Interested? For a confidential discussion, reach out to Ryan Quinn on LinkedIn.
Skills: Ruby, AWS, Cloud, React
Benefits: Bonus
Staff Engineer Ruby On Rails TLNT1_NI in Belfast employer: Ocho
Contact Detail:
Ocho Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Engineer Ruby On Rails TLNT1_NI in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work with Ruby on Rails. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even referrals that could give you a leg up.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best Ruby on Rails projects. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities, making it easier for potential employers to see what you bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on system design and architecture principles. Since this role focuses on backend systems, be ready to discuss scalability and reliability challenges you've tackled in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills and interests. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team, which always makes a good impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Engineer Ruby On Rails TLNT1_NI in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Staff Engineer role. Highlight your Ruby on Rails expertise and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving backend architecture and system design.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've improved system scalability or reliability in past positions, and don’t forget to mention your collaboration with product and platform teams!
Showcase Your Technical Leadership: Since this is a leadership role, emphasise your experience in mentoring and guiding teams. Talk about how you've influenced technical direction and elevated engineering standards in previous roles to demonstrate your capability as a technical leader.
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 shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocho
✨Know Your Ruby On Rails Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Ruby on Rails knowledge. Be prepared to discuss your experience with backend architecture and system design, especially in production environments. Highlight specific projects where you've improved scalability or reliability.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about complex challenges you've faced in previous roles. Think of examples where you've tackled legacy complexity or architectural gaps. This will demonstrate your ability to influence technical direction and lead initiatives.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working closely with Product, Platform, and SRE teams, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated in the past. Share examples of how you've translated business workflows into technical solutions and improved observability and operational standards.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You’ll need to drive alignment across stakeholders, so being a clear communicator is essential. Prepare to explain your ideas and decisions in a way that resonates with both technical and non-technical audiences.