At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and own backend systems, ensuring seamless feature delivery from start to finish.
- Company: Join a dynamic tech company focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work options, private medical insurance, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Embrace a hybrid work model with exciting team socials and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building cutting-edge solutions in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with Node.js, SQL databases, and API design; mentoring skills are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Reporting to: Director of Product Engineering
About the role
We're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to design and own the systems that power our product. You will take end-to-end ownership of features with particular depth in APIs, data flows, and backend architecture, while remaining full-stack - comfortable shipping the frontend work needed to see a feature through without handing off. You'll take operational responsibility for what you build, help shape the team's technical direction, and mentor others as you go.
What you'll do
- Own end-to-end delivery of features that solve real product problems, with particular depth in the application logic and database layers, through to shipped functionality across the stack.
- Design and implement complex data flows, API integrations, and background processing systems that handle high-volume operations reliably while maintaining system performance and data integrity.
- Take operational responsibility for what you build - from architecture and implementation through to how it behaves in production.
- Build performant, well-tested backend services, while staying hands-on with the frontend so you can take a feature all the way through without handing off - avoiding a backend-only silo.
- Use product metrics, engineering signals, and feedback from your team to inform technical decisions, prioritise improvements, and validate that shipped features deliver measurable value.
- Partner with product and design to shape solutions early, translating requirements into technical architecture and surfacing risks and opportunities that impact outcomes.
- Mentor and coach other product engineers, raising the bar for technical excellence.
What you'll bring
- Node.js – primary backend framework.
- SQL databases and query optimisation.
- MongoDB or other NoSQL database.
- RESTful API design and implementation.
- Git – version control and collaborative workflows.
- Backend testing strategies (unit, integration, end-to-end).
- Experience with monitoring, logging, and observability tools.
- Knowledge of scalable system architecture and design patterns.
- Familiarity with modern AI tools and a habit of staying up to date with how they can improve engineering workflows.
Highly Desirable
- AdonisJS, NestJS or similar MVC frameworks.
- AWS infrastructure and services.
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or similar).
- Message queues and background job processing.
- Caching strategies and performance optimisation.
- CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
Nice to Have
- Security best-practices implementation.
- Experience in a growth-stage startup or B2B SaaS.
- Knowledge of the construction industry.
What we offer
- Enhanced parental leave.
- Private medical insurance with Bupa.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Remote work abroad opportunities.
- Apple MacBook and tech accessories.
- Onetrace merch, regular team socials and annual company offsites.
Hybrid guidelines
We operate a hybrid working model, with a minimum expectation of 2-3 days per week in the office. This is a core part of how the role works and isn't something we're flexible on.
Senior Backend Engineer employer: Onetrace
At Onetrace, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Platform Engineer, you'll enjoy the flexibility of remote work while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance our product delivery. We offer ample opportunities for professional growth, competitive benefits, and a commitment to maintaining a secure and reliable infrastructure, making Onetrace a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Onetrace or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Onetrace.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Onetrace.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Onetrace that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Onetrace.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Onetrace and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Onetrace
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Onetrace uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
