At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and scale backend systems for a fast-growing fintech platform.
- Company: Exciting Series A AI/fintech scale-up in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £270k, remote work options, and career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to work on innovative projects.
- Why this job: Join a mission-critical team and make a real impact on financial technology.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in backend systems, strong Python skills, and cloud experience.
I’m working on a really interesting platform scaling hire for a fast-growing Series A AI/fintech company in London. They’ve built a product that processes millions of sensitive financial documents for lenders, brokers, insurers and fintechs across the US and UK. The platform is already mission-critical for customers — but rapid growth means the backend now needs to evolve from “built for speed” to “built for scale.” This role will work closely with the CTO and Head of Engineering and take real ownership of the core backend systems.
Key challenges include:
- Designing backend abstractions so a small engineering team can ship quickly and safely
- Scaling multi-tenant infrastructure across enterprise customers with different security and SLA requirements
- Supporting high-throughput document processing and ML pipelines
- Strengthening security, reliability and compliance around sensitive financial data
- Scaling systems from millions → tens of millions of documents
Requirements:
- ~8+ years building and scaling backend systems
- Experience in high-growth B2B SaaS environments (Series A → C)
- Strong Python + cloud infrastructure experience
- Experience working with large volumes of regulated or sensitive data
- Hands-on IC mindset — someone who enjoys architecting and building
- A strong background in Computer Science, with a university degree from a top ranked Global University is essential
Principal Engineer - Series A FinTech Scale-Up employer: Oliver Bernard
Join a dynamic and innovative Series A FinTech scale-up in London, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of financial technology. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaborative work culture, and competitive compensation, this company offers a unique environment for talented engineers to thrive. You'll work closely with industry leaders, tackle exciting challenges, and contribute to a mission-critical platform that is transforming the way sensitive financial documents are processed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer - Series A FinTech Scale-Up
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fintech and AI space. Attend meetups or webinars where you can chat with industry folks. You never know who might have a lead on that Principal Engineer role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python and cloud infrastructure. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you tackle challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your system design skills and be ready to discuss how you've scaled backend systems in the past. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as communication is key in these roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications that way!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer - Series A FinTech Scale-Up
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience with Python and cloud infrastructure, and don’t forget to mention any work you've done in high-growth B2B SaaS environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re excited about this Principal Engineer role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Be genuine and let your personality come through — we love that!
Showcase Relevant Projects:If you've worked on projects that involved scaling backend systems or handling sensitive data, make sure to highlight those. We’re keen to see examples of your hands-on experience and how you’ve tackled challenges similar to what we face at StudySmarter.
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 us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oliver Bernard
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python and AWS, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on your knowledge of backend systems and be ready to discuss how you've scaled systems in the past, especially in high-growth environments.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to scaling multi-tenant infrastructure or processing large volumes of sensitive data. Think through your approach to designing backend abstractions and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Ownership and Leadership
Since this role involves working closely with the CTO and Head of Engineering, highlight your experience in taking ownership of projects. Share examples where you led initiatives that improved system reliability or security, showcasing your hands-on IC mindset.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Research the company’s product and its impact on the fintech landscape. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to their mission of processing sensitive financial documents efficiently and securely, aligning your goals with theirs.
