At a Glance
- Tasks: Build a cloud-native platform using Go and modern microservices architecture.
- Company: Protein Works, a leading UK sports nutrition brand with a direct-to-consumer model.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, private healthcare, and exclusive staff discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and AI integration.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team to create innovative solutions and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in backend development; experience in Go, Java, C#, or PHP.
The predicted salary is between 65250 - 79750 £ per year.
Join Protein Works as our Senior Backend Developer, and build a greenfield, cloud-native platform from the ground up using Go and modern microservices architecture.
The Protein Works is a UK direct-to-consumer sports nutrition brand. We develop and manufacture our own products, sell them through our own e-commerce platform and ship them from our own warehouse. Behind the website sits a set of internal applications connecting orders, stock, finance, fulfilment and manufacturing, alongside a growing number of marketplaces and third-party services.
We are replacing those legacy internal applications with a new cloud-native platform: independently deployable services that will become the single integration layer between the website, finance, warehouse and manufacturing, and a foundation for AI-assisted automation across the business. This role is a core builder of that platform.
You will join a small, polyglot engineering team working DevOps, Information Security, Data and IT. Go is our preferred language for services because of its performance and operational simplicity, but we hire for engineering depth first: if your background is C#, Java or PHP and you are willing to work in Go, we want to hear from you.
What you will do
- Platform Development & Architecture: Design, build, and maintain microservices and domain models (orders, stock, fulfilment, finance) using Go, Domain-Driven Design, enterprise integration patterns, and clean architecture to incrementally replace legacy applications.
- Integration & Asynchronous Workflows: Build event-driven and queue-based workflows with REST APIs, authentication, idempotency, and contract testing to connect e-commerce, ERP, WMS, finance, and manufacturing systems.
- Operations, Security & AI: Own end-to-end delivery including containers, CI/CD, IaC, full observability (metrics, traces, logs), security/privacy compliance (OWASP, GDPR, pen testing), and day-to-day use of AI-assisted/agentic tools.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate across tech and business teams, write ADRs, contribute to golden-path templates/standards, and translate business needs into technical execution.
What you will bring
- Essential
- Backend & Architecture: 5+ years of backend development (Go, Java, C#, or PHP with a focus/openness to Go) with strong CS/software engineering foundations, SOLID principles, and clean/event-driven patterns across microservices and monoliths.
- Data & Async Systems: Solid background in relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and asynchronous messaging (queues, events, retries, idempotency).
- DevOps & Observability: Practical experience with Docker, Linux/Windows, Git/GitHub, Jira/Agile, monitoring/alerting, and diagnostic/profiling tools in high-volume e-commerce environments.
- Communication & AI Integration: Strong problem-solving and stakeholder communication skills, coupled with active practice using AI development/coding tools.
- Desirable
- AI & Cloud Technologies: Agentic AI (LLMs, frameworks, guardrails) and cloud platforms (AWS, IaC/Terraform, serverless, managed messaging, Kubernetes, Redis, Elasticsearch/OpenSearch).
- Advanced Engineering & Integrations: Production Go experience, GoF/Enterprise integration patterns, durable workflows, contract testing, ERP/WMS/e-commerce integrations, OpenTelemetry/Grafana/Datadog, and OWASP/ISO 27001 security standards.
How we work
Two-week sprints for planned platform work and a Kanban lane for operational and integration requests, both in Jira. Pull requests with code review, automated tests and CI/CD to staging and production. Architecture Decision Records for anything that changes the shape of the platform, and golden-path templates per language so services stay consistent without forcing one runtime. Observability, security and documentation are part of the definition of done.
What we offer
- State of the art PW Campus
- Hybrid working
- A greenfield platform to build, a modern toolchain and direct access to the decisions that shape both
- Company bonus eligibility
- Exclusive staff discounts
- Private healthcare
- Birthday day off
- Pension scheme
- Access to staff discounts
- Staff socials and events
- Refreshments on-site
Senior Backend Developer in Liverpool employer: Protein Works
At Protein Works, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture. As a Technical SEO Lead, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our e-commerce growth while enjoying a collaborative environment that encourages professional development and continuous learning. Located in a vibrant area, we offer competitive benefits and a commitment to employee well-being, making us a rewarding place to advance your career in digital marketing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Developer in Liverpool
✨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 Protein Works 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 Protein Works.
✨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 Protein Works.
✨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 Protein Works 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 Developer in Liverpool
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 Protein Works.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Protein Works 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 Protein Works
✨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 Protein Works 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.
