At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of scalable backend systems for healthcare commerce using Python and FastAPI.
- Company: Join Ro, a forward-thinking tech company transforming healthcare access.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible time off, equity, and wellness stipends in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with opportunities for professional growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare technology while mentoring and shaping engineering culture.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years of backend development experience with strong skills in Python and distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer to join the Commerce Platform team at Ro. In this role, you will operate as a technical leader, mentor, and architect — helping shape the future of our platform and driving the delivery of financial systems that power how healthcare is accessed and sustained.
You will partner closely with other engineers, product managers, designers, and cross-functional leads to define and deliver technical roadmaps that balance immediate product needs with long-term technical stability, scalability, and maintainability.
As a Staff Engineer, you will not only design and build robust distributed systems but also mentor engineers, influence engineering culture, and play a key role in technical decision-making.
- Build robust, and scalable backend capabilities using Python and FastAPI, supporting critical commerce domains like payments, pricing, and invoicing.
- Lead cross-functional technical efforts — collaborating closely with product managers, designers, and engineers from adjacent teams to ensure alignment and technical integrity across boundaries.
- Drive engineering excellence through best practices in testing, monitoring, observability, and performance optimization.
- Define and maintain SLIs/SLOs in collaboration with product, infra and other development teams.
- Participate in on-call rotations to ensure reliability of commerce systems.
If you thrive in complex problem spaces, enjoy shaping technical direction at scale, and are motivated by the opportunity to improve healthcare through technology, we’d love to hear from you.
A sharp focus on quality and risk—you move with urgency while safeguarding against issues like double charges, misbilling, or inconsistent payment states.
Deep understanding of distributed systems—data consistency, communication patterns, and service boundaries—backed by hands-on experience building and maintaining high-traffic production systems.
Proven experience building and maintaining high-scale backend systems, ideally in commerce, fintech, or healthcare settings.
7 - 10+ years professional backend software development experience.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead cross-functional technical projects.
Proficient in Python (preferred - we have some language flexibility!), relational databases, and frameworks like Django or FastAPI, with hands-on experience in metrics instrumentation and data-driven performance tuning using tools like Datadog.
Deep familiarity with breaking down monolithic systems into well-defined domains.
Experience in telehealth or other highly regulated industries.
Staff Backend Software Engineer (Commerce Platform) employer: Ro
At Ro, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Staff Backend Software Engineer, you will not only have the opportunity to lead technical initiatives but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through mentorship and professional development. With flexible work arrangements, comprehensive health benefits, and a focus on improving healthcare access, Ro is dedicated to creating a meaningful and rewarding environment for all team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Backend Software Engineer (Commerce Platform)
✨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 Ro 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 Ro.
✨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 Ro.
✨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 Ro 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 Staff Backend Software Engineer (Commerce Platform)
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 Ro.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Ro 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 Ro
✨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 Ro 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.