Backend Engineer - Ruby

Backend Engineer - Ruby

Full-Time No working from home possible
Raylo

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build and scale backend services using Ruby on Rails while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
  • Company: Join Raylo, a fast-growing tech company transforming device ownership into flexible subscriptions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, stock options, private medical insurance, and 33 days off.
  • Other info: Fast-track your career with bi-annual promotions and a hybrid working model.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-driven company focused on sustainability and innovation.
  • Qualifications: 2-4 years of backend engineering experience, strong Ruby on Rails skills, and a collaborative mindset.

The world is moving away from rigid ownership models in favour of more flexible, affordable access. Our mission is to transform how technology is bought, used and reused — creating better outcomes for customers, brands and the planet.

Raylo is the subscription infrastructure that enables leading electronics brands, including PlayStation, HP and Dyson, to move from one-off device sales to recurring subscription programmes that increase conversion, deepen loyalty and capture more lifetime value. We have over $90M ARR, we’re profitable, growing fast, with over a quarter of a million subscriptions across consumers and small businesses. Customers trust us too, with a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from more than 20,000 reviews.

For customers, the experience is simple: subscribe to a device, get support throughout, upgrade when you want, and return it when you’re done. Behind that sits an AI-powered operating system that executes and manages device subscriptions end to end: credit and fraud decisioning, lifecycle operations, and the financing engine that enables brands to run subscription programmes at scale.

AI is changing what small, ambitious teams can build. Companies that embrace it will define the next decade. Raylo is uniquely placed to benefit. We combine proprietary technology and data with the orchestration of physical assets, operating across credit, fraud, pricing, logistics, refurbishment, resale and customer care. With AI improving every cycle, our moat deepens with scale.

We hire to a high bar. You’ll work with people who push you, raise your game and expect you to do the same. We want every person at Raylo to do the best work of their lives, and enjoy doing it.

Our Core Values

  • Be deeply curious – We thrive on innovation through diverse approaches, views, and people.
  • Walk in your customer’s shoes – To build the best products and make the best decisions for the long term, we must figure out what our customers need, not just what they want.
  • Focus and execute – We have a big vision, but we believe in nailing the most important problems first.
  • Be gritty – Only gritty teams succeed. Our individual ownership, passion, and perseverance mean we’re a team through thick and thin.

What to Expect

You’ll be joining our growing Engineering team as a Backend Engineer, reporting to the Engineering Manager. Our backend team powers critical capabilities like customer decisioning, third-party service integrations, automation for operational teams, and self-serve functionality for customers.

Over the next year, you’ll:

  • Develop a deep understanding of our core user journeys and backend systems.
  • Gain autonomy in delivering medium-sized projects and play an increasingly important role in driving larger initiatives alongside senior engineers and stakeholders.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, designers, and frontend engineers to deliver features that directly impact Raylo’s growth and customer experience.
  • Work with a modern backend stack including Ruby on Rails (8.0), Sidekiq Enterprise (200k+ jobs daily), Heroku, GitHub Actions (CI/CD), Playwright (E2E testing), and GraphQL APIs.

What You’ll Do

  • Build, maintain, and scale backend services using Ruby on Rails and related technologies.
  • Collaborate with product and frontend teams to deliver features that enable new customer experiences and operational efficiencies.
  • Participate in code reviews and pairing sessions, sharing knowledge and learning from others.
  • Integrate and optimise third-party services that power our subscription platform.
  • Continuously improve backend systems with a focus on scalability, reliability, and performance.
  • Take ownership of medium-sized projects, from design to delivery, and contribute to larger initiatives with senior engineers.
  • Write clean, tested, and maintainable code, with CI/CD pipelines in GitHub Actions and end-to-end testing in Playwright.
  • Work on asynchronous job processing at scale with Sidekiq Enterprise.

You’ll Succeed with

  • Minimum of 2–4 years of backend engineering experience, ideally in a fast-paced startup or scale-up environment.
  • Strong proficiency in Ruby on Rails and experience with Sidekiq for large-scale job processing.
  • Experience deploying and running applications in Heroku (or similar PaaS), with confidence in CI/CD pipelines.
  • Familiarity with GraphQL APIs and automated testing frameworks such as RSpec.
  • A collaborative mindset, with strong communication skills and the ability to make progress in ambiguous situations.
  • A proactive, curious, and problem-solving attitude, with a passion for working on real business problems through technology.
  • An eagerness to continuously learn and improve your craft, especially within Ruby and Rails.

Opportunities & Benefits

  • Fast-track your career – 40% of our employees are promoted every review cycle (bi-annually).
  • Exclusive Raylo device lease for employees.
  • Private Medical Insurance.
  • Stock options for all employees.
  • L&D budget to support the skills you value.
  • Hybrid working model (1 day a week in our London Bridge office).
  • 33 days off, your way – 25 days + 8 bank holidays with full flexibility to use on the days that mean the most to you.
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave, if you've been with us for 12 months.
  • Workplace nursery scheme for major cost savings.

Hiring Process

We move quickly and we'll aim to give you the best candidate experience possible. It starts with a 15-minute call — no prep needed. If there's a fit, we move fast, every stage has a purpose, and we'll tell you what we’re looking for at each one.

*As an FCA-regulated business, we conduct background checks (DBS and AML) on all successful candidates who are offered a position at Raylo during the onboarding process.

Diversity & Inclusion at Raylo

At Raylo, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, believing they make us stronger.

Backend Engineer - Ruby employer: Raylo

Raylo is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, with 40% of staff receiving promotions every review cycle. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and data-driven decision-making, while our hybrid working model and generous benefits, including stock options and a flexible leave policy, ensure a healthy work-life balance. Located in the vibrant London Bridge area, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to a sustainable approach in consumer electronics, making your work both meaningful and impactful.

Raylo

Contact Details:

Raylo Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer - Ruby

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 Raylo 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 Raylo.

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 Raylo.

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 Raylo 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 Backend Engineer - Ruby

Ruby on Rails
Sidekiq
Heroku
GitHub Actions
GraphQL APIs
E2E Testing
CI/CD Pipelines

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 Raylo.

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

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 Raylo 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.