At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software design and delivery across innovative and legacy systems.
- Company: Join a Tier 1 bank revolutionising its engineering approach.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with mentorship opportunities and influence over key decisions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of banking technology with autonomy and impact.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Java, Python, or Go; strong architectural judgement required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
A Tier 1 bank is bringing its UK engineering back in-house - and it needs senior engineers to lead that rebuild, not just contribute to it. Modern tooling, greenfield builds, and genuine autonomy over technical direction. But this isn't a sandbox: you'll be untangling legacy estates, owning migration decisions, and setting the standard for how things get engineered at serious scale.
You'll take a leading role in a full stack team built deliberately to work better than the old model - Java on the backend, React on the frontend, AWS underneath. You'll own technical decisions across new builds and existing systems, shape architecture rather than inherit it, and work directly with product, design and senior stakeholders to set direction, not just deliver against it.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the design and delivery of software across greenfield and legacy codebases
- Owning architecture decisions for AWS-hosted systems, with scalability, resilience and security built in from the start
- Setting engineering standards — driving code reviews, mentoring engineers, and raising the bar across the team
- Making the calls on complex migrations: what to rebuild, what to refactor, what to retire
- Acting as a technical voice with senior business stakeholders, translating engineering trade-offs into commercial decisions
What you'll bring:
- Deep hands-on backend experience in Java, Python or Go - you still write code, and write it well
- Strong architectural judgement across full stack systems - you can see how the pieces connect, and where they'll break
- Confident React.js knowledge, enough to lead and review frontend work credibly
- A track record of delivering in complex environments - regulated, legacy-heavy, or large-scale (banking experience valued but not essential)
- Security-first engineering instincts as standard
- The credibility to mentor engineers and influence stakeholders well beyond the engineering team
VP - Software Engineer in Manchester employer: Qurated
As a VP - Software Engineer at our Tier 1 bank in Manchester, you'll be part of a transformative journey, leading the charge in modernising our engineering practices with cutting-edge technology and genuine autonomy. We foster a collaborative work culture that prioritises innovation, mentorship, and professional growth, ensuring you have the resources and support to excel in your role. With a focus on greenfield projects and the opportunity to shape architectural decisions, this position offers a unique chance to make a significant impact while enjoying the benefits of a hybrid working environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP - Software Engineer in Manchester
✨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 Qurated 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 Qurated.
✨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 Qurated.
✨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 Qurated 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 VP - Software Engineer in Manchester
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 Qurated.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Qurated 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 Qurated
✨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 Qurated 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.
