Software Engineer (Backend & distributed systems)

Software Engineer (Backend & distributed systems)

Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build robust software systems for AI-driven applications.
  • Company: Join a small, ambitious startup revolutionising market analysis.
  • Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for mentorship.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with strong career growth and regular team socials.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on financial decision-making with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: 2-3 years of software engineering experience and Python expertise.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

At Permutable, we’re building intelligent systems to automate market analysis using advanced NLP and multi-LLM frameworks. Our goal is to dramatically accelerate how financial information is processed, understood, and acted on, enabling faster, smarter decisions for financial analysts. As a small, ambitious startup, you’ll work directly with our founder and a core team of talented engineers to drive innovation.

What You’ll Do

  • Design & Build robust software systems – develop scalable backend services and APIs that power our AI-driven applications.
  • Develop & Optimise data pipelines – implement efficient, reliable systems for ingesting, processing, and serving financial data.
  • Engineer Cloud-Native Solutions on AWS (Lambda, ECS/EKS, S3, Redshift, etc.) and automate deployments with GitHub Actions & Pulumi.
  • Collaborate & Brainstorm with our engineering team – we frequently share ideas to innovate, plan strategy and decide on next steps.
  • Own Your Responsibilities – your code will directly shape our core platform and reach production rapidly.

Requirements

  • 2–3 years of professional software engineering experience (or equivalent).
  • Python expert with strong software engineering fundamentals.
  • Experience with DevOps practices: CI/CD pipelines (e.g. GitHub Actions), containerisation (Docker), automated testing, and monitoring.
  • Strong academic background in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field, ideally from a top-tier university.
  • Startup mindset: proactive, resourceful, ambitious, eager to learn, and comfortable wearing multiple hats in a fast-moving environment.
  • Bonus: hands-on experience with distributed systems, AWS services, or AI/LLM applications.

Additional Information

  • Hybrid Flexibility: Spend 3 days/week in our Vauxhall hub.
  • Real Responsibility: From day one, your contributions will influence our product’s performance and reach production quickly.
  • Collaborative Culture: Participate in regular brainstorms where every voice matters, and benefit from mentorship by senior engineers.
  • Career Growth: Broaden your expertise across software engineering, cloud infrastructure, and AI-driven applications at the frontier of automated market analysis.
  • A Close-Knit Startup Culture: Work alongside a small, supportive team that makes time to connect, from regular socials and offsites to sports events and office treats.

Software Engineer (Backend & distributed systems) employer: Permutable

At Permutable AI, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture where every team member has the opportunity to make a real impact. As a Senior Platform Engineer, you'll enjoy significant ownership of our cutting-edge architecture while collaborating closely with our founder and engineering team in a hybrid work environment that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. With a focus on employee growth and the chance to work with advanced AI technologies, we offer a unique opportunity for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced startup atmosphere.

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Contact Details:

Permutable Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (Backend & distributed systems)

✨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 Permutable 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 Permutable.

✨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 Permutable.

✨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 Permutable 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 Software Engineer (Backend & distributed systems)

Python
Software Engineering Fundamentals
Backend Development
API Development
Data Pipeline Development
Cloud-Native Solutions
AWS (Lambda, ECS/EKS, S3, Redshift)

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 Permutable.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Permutable 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 Permutable

✨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 Permutable 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.