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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop scalable software systems while collaborating with global teams.
- Company: Join Planet Education Networks, a tech-savvy group revolutionising education and SaaS.
- Benefits: Enjoy 7.2 weeks annual leave, training opportunities, and grocery discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative projects in a dynamic Canary Wharf environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software development with strong skills in React, Node.js, and database design.
- Other info: Fast interview process and excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Canary Wharf, London (Onsite only)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: Immediate
Company Overview
Planet Education Networks Ltd is a growing technology and education group building multiple modern platforms across education, SaaS, and marketplace domains. Our products include student management systems, HR platforms, domain management systems, e-learning platforms, and consumer-facing applications such as food delivery and property management platforms. We build systems intended to scale globally, handling potentially millions of users at peak times, and work closely with both UK-based teams and overseas senior software developers.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior Software Developer to join our UK team based in Canary Wharf. This is a hands-on, senior technical role requiring strong software engineering fundamentals, architectural thinking, and a deep understanding of how scalable systems are designed and delivered. This role goes beyond coding. You will be expected to contribute to database design, system architecture, and technical decision-making, while collaborating with non-technical stakeholders and overseas development teams. You will report directly to the Head of IT.
NOTE: This is a strictly onsite role — no remote or hybrid working
Key Responsibilities
- Software Development & Architecture
- Make sound architectural decisions suitable for high-scale, high-availability systems
- Design and review database schemas, data flows, and performance considerations
- Ensure applications are scalable, secure, and maintainable for global usage
- Review code and architectural contributions from overseas senior developers
- Database & System Design
- Participate in database design and optimisation for large-scale systems
- Understand trade-offs between performance, scalability, and maintainability
- Work with backend and infrastructure considerations even when focusing on frontend-heavy projects
- UI/UX & User Journeys
- Work closely with designers and business stakeholders to shape end-to-end user journeys
- Translate product and business requirements into intuitive UI/UX implementations
- Apply strong UX judgment to ensure clarity, usability, and performance
- Communication & Documentation
- Translate non-technical business requirements into clear technical documentation
- Communicate technical decisions effectively to non-technical stakeholders
- Produce and maintain technical documentation, architectural notes, and implementation guidelines
- Work closely with UK business teams, design teams, QA/testing teams, and external contractors
- Collaborate with overseas development teams to ensure consistent standards and delivery quality
- Contribute to improving engineering practices, tooling, and workflows
- AI-Assisted Development
- Critically review AI-generated code and ensure it meets production standards
- Help define best practices for AI-assisted development within the team
Required Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ professional experience in software development
- Strong hands-on experience with:
- React / Next.js
- Node.js
- SQL and NoSQL databases
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a well-rounded senior engineer, not just a coder. You should be comfortable:
- Making architectural decisions
- Thinking about scalability and performance early
- Designing databases, not just consuming them
- Translating business needs into technical solutions
- Working across multiple projects and domains
Hiring Process
Direct application only (no agencies)
Fast 2-stage interview process
Candidates must be prepared to discuss and demonstrate past projects they have worked on (commercial or significant personal projects)
What We Offer
- Direct impact on system design and product direction
- Long-term growth opportunities within a growing technology group
- Canary Wharf office location
- Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
- Company Sick Policy
- Statutory maternity/paternity pays
- Training and self-development opportunities
- Grocery discounts
- Cycle to work
- Investing and savings opportunities
Senior Software Developer employer: PEN Group
Contact Detail:
PEN Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Developer
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Connect with current employees at Planet Education Networks Ltd on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews like a pro! Brush up on your past projects and be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in software development. Show them you're not just a coder but a problem-solver.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your soft skills! Communication is key, especially when working with non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms to demonstrate your versatility.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly 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 the team at Planet Education Networks Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Software Developer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with React, Node.js, and database design to show us you’re the right fit!
Showcase Your Projects: We want to see what you've built! Include details about past projects, especially those that demonstrate your architectural thinking and scalability considerations. This is your chance to shine!
Communicate Clearly: Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, make sure your application materials are clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain your technical decisions and contributions.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in Canary Wharf.
How to prepare for a job interview at PEN Group
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of React, Node.js, and database design. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in past projects, especially in terms of scalability and performance.
✨Showcase Your Architectural Thinking
Prepare to talk about architectural decisions you've made in previous roles. Think about how you approached system design for high-traffic platforms and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since you'll be working with non-technical stakeholders, practice translating complex technical concepts into simple terms. Bring examples of how you've successfully communicated technical decisions in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Be prepared to discuss your experience collaborating with offshore teams. Highlight any leadership roles you've taken on, even if they weren't managerial, and how you contributed to improving team practices.
