Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring) in London

Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring) in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
RELX

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build scalable, high-performance data-driven applications with cutting-edge technologies.
  • Company: Join Elsevier, a global leader in information and analytics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous vacation, and comprehensive pension plans.
  • Other info: Be part of a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and well-being.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on scientific discovery and collaborate with passionate teams.
  • Qualifications: Strong Java and Spring expertise, with experience in cloud-native architectures.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about building scalable, high-performance data-driven applications? Do you enjoy turning complex datasets into robust, reliable systems that deliver real business impact?

About the team: The Search and AI Platform is Elsevier’s agentic data platform, which powers products such as LeapSpace, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Clinical Key, Reaxys, and our next-generation AI powered search systems. The platform uses agentic services to interrogate our rich knowledge graphs, search and recommendation systems, and our unparalleled collection of research data to deliver insights to the scientific community so they can collaborate more effectively, work smarter, and deliver quality research more quickly.

We’re looking for an innovative, passionate Senior Software Engineer II to work as part of the teams building and enhancing our platform to deliver intelligent, scalable solutions that create real value for our clients.

About the role: The Shared Graph Team is a core part of Elsevier’s Search and AI Platform. This team builds structured queries based on relationships and entity metadata hydration, enabling advanced traversal, discovery, and recommendation systems. As a Senior Software Engineer II, you will work with a passionate team that delivers scalable, reliable, and innovative solutions that accelerate scientific discovery.

Key responsibilities:

  • Design and implement graph-based search services.
  • Develop applications using Java, Spring Boot, Spring, GraphQL, and GraphQL Federation.
  • Integrate with databases, web services, or AWS services (Neo4j, DynamoDB, RDS, S3, Parameter Store, SQS, SNS, Kinesis) to support ingestion, storage, and messaging pipelines.
  • Champion clean code, SOLID principles, and engineering best practices, setting standards and mentoring engineers.
  • Collaborate with product managers and engineering teams to deliver advanced search and recommendation features.
  • Ensure robust monitoring and logging with New Relic and Coralogix, driving reliability and performance.

Requirements:

  • Proven track record building scalable backend systems and APIs.
  • Strong expertise in Java and the Spring Boot ecosystem.
  • Hands-on experience with GraphQL API and REST API design.
  • Solid background in cloud-native architectures with AWS and Kubernetes (EKS).
  • An advocate of best practices for rapid development of quality software, including SOLID principles, clean code, architectural design patterns, CI/CD.
  • Familiarity with Agile, Kanban, or other iterative development methodologies.
  • Comfortable learning new technologies, languages, and tools on the job, to ensure that the product is not left behind in a rapidly evolving ecosystem.
  • An inclusive, positive, collaborative mindset and a desire to deliver real business value to our customers.

Nice to have:

  • Experience with Apollo Router or advanced GraphQL federation strategies.
  • Background in data modelling for graph-based systems.
  • Familiarity with search platforms or AI-driven discovery systems.
  • Experience working in high-throughput, distributed systems.

Why join us?

Join our team and contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. If you are ready to advance your career and make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply.

Working flexible hours: We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives and shared parental leave, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

Working for you: We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

  • Comprehensive Pension Plan
  • Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabbatical leave
  • Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and Family Care leave
  • Flexible working hours
  • Personal Choice budget
  • Internal communities and networks
  • Various employee discounts
  • Recruitment introduction reward
  • Employee Assistance Program (global)

About the business – A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education, and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world’s grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring) in London employer: RELX

Elsevier is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for Senior Software Engineers II to thrive. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, flexible working hours, and comprehensive benefits including generous vacation entitlement and a robust pension plan, employees are supported in both their professional and personal lives. The opportunity for career advancement within a global leader in information and analytics allows you to make a meaningful impact on science and healthcare while working alongside passionate professionals in a dynamic environment.

RELX

Contact Details:

RELX Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring) in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those using Java, Spring, or GraphQL. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills. Remember, confidence is key, so be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply 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 our team and contributing to our innovative projects.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer II (Java/ Spring) in London

Java
Spring Boot
GraphQL
REST API design
AWS
Kubernetes (EKS)
Clean Code

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Software Engineer II role. Highlight your experience with Java, Spring, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in building scalable systems. We want to see how you can bring real business impact!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data-driven applications and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our team.

Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any relevant projects, make sure to include them in your application. Whether it's a personal project or something from your previous job, we love seeing practical examples of your work, especially those involving GraphQL or cloud-native architectures.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values!

How to prepare for a job interview at RELX

Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in Java, Spring Boot, and GraphQL. Brush up on your knowledge of AWS services like DynamoDB and S3, as well as the principles of clean code and SOLID. Being able to discuss these technologies confidently will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous projects, especially those involving scalable backend systems. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, highlighting how you turned complex datasets into reliable systems that delivered real business impact.

Demonstrate Collaboration and Mentorship

Since the role involves working closely with product managers and mentoring other engineers, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in teams. Talk about how you’ve championed best practices and helped others grow in their roles.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the team’s current projects, the technologies they use, and their approach to innovation. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values, especially regarding collaboration and work-life balance.